Arizona bishops criticize bills increasing immigration enforcement
PHOENIX (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of Arizona have expressed concern that new legislative proposals requiring greater enforcement of immigration laws by local police could harm public safety and separate families.
"Arizona would become the first state in the nation to codify its own 'illegal immigration' law by requiring persons who are here unlawfully in terms of federal law to be charged with trespassing under Arizona law," said the three bishops who make up the Arizona Catholic Conference in a March 8 statement.
The three are Bishops Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix, Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson and James S. Wall of Gallup, N.M., whose diocese includes parts of Arizona.
The bishops said S.B. 1070 and H.B. 2632 -- identical bills currently before the Arizona Legislature -- do not "clearly state that undocumented people who become victims of crimes can come forward without fear of deportation."
But they said it is "in all of our best interests" that no one be afraid to report a crime.
"Anything that may deter crimes from being reported or prosecuted will only keep dangerous criminals on the streets, making our communities less safe," the conference statement said.
The bishops said that although supporters of the bills say they are designed to allow local police to hold undocumented immigrants who are suspected of crimes, the proposals themselves do not "limit enforcement to persons suspected of criminal activity, thus leaving the possibility of criminalizing the presence of even children and young persons brought into our country by their parents."
"If enacted, these bills could lead to separation of family members that would not take place under current federal law," they added. "We believe it would be far better to withdraw these bills than to risk costly and unfairly punitive enforcement."
The Arizona bishops said immigration problems are complex and must be addressed in a comprehensive way at the national level.
"In the meantime, we are concerned that local legislation not create new problems for families or have a negative impact on public safety," they said.
The bishops acknowledged that legislators faced "very difficult decisions" on other important issues, including a significant budget shortfall.
"We realize that there are no easy solutions to fixing either our economy or the budget, but we continue to ask that our representatives always keep in mind the most vulnerable among us -- the unborn, children, the elderly and all who are struggling just to make ends meet."
They thanked state legislators for their support of "measures to protect unborn children, to promote the protection of marriage as a foundational institution in our society and to expand educational opportunities for all children through school choice."
Copyright © 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Comments (14)
Poor Dear
By Benito (not verified) on Friday, June 11, 2010It is my contention that this AZ law is not constitutional and will fail when challenged (unless, of course, they keep adding more amendments), pretty funny for this so called perfect law, that many internet blogs claim it was copied “Word for Word” from the Federal law, which I frankly do not believe, if it was then no amendments would have been made, right?, of course.
Don’t you find it funny that no one ever voted for Brewer for Governor, it’s all about politics and getting elected, do not be fooled. Busy Brewer has passed S.B. 1070, no permit conceal weapons law, the famous Birthers law, banning Ethic studies law, (could she be behind the Mural in Prescott, Arizona) and if history is a lesson she should look up Arizona’s House Bill 2779 from two years ago (which failed when legally challenged) and the craziest one the boycotted Martin Luther King Day, not wanting another holiday, how crazy is that. I believe there is an undercurrent to their enactment of new laws, they real love following a distinct pattern. Poor Brewer, last week, she first she said her Dad had died in Germany fighting the Nazi in World War II (war ended 1945) and we find out her father was never in Germany and died in California in 1955 (watch the spin doctors go into overdrive) and then she went to Washington and came back empty as always, poor dear.
The Bishops stand on this enforcement of the law
By Anonymous (not verified) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010I am curious why the Bishops feel they need to create a permanent underclass in the USA?
This is more faux charity in the name of social justice. If they want to change the situation of these people, why are they not encouraging their fellow Bishops in Mexico, with contributions to their Mexican diocese, to keep these folks home where their families can be kept together.
They will never change Mexico if we are allowed to strip mine the talented and hardworking folks from there and make them a permanent underclass here. They want to change the USA instead.
But what they are really interested in, is making themselves feel good. They are trying to rebuild their credibility for their crimes of passing around child molesters like bonbons, to prey on children of all ethnicity.
They fail to render unto Caeser, what is Caeser's and they fail to protect the rest of their flock that are legitimately here. This is false piety that makes them feel good about themselves and it is another scandal they have to answer for. Why are they encouraging people to break the law?
They won't even speak about abortion but for this they have sanctuary cities? What war is it that they seek to offer protection from? The mis-management of Mexico? If we have to support these people then we should do it in Mexico, for their good and our own. The Bishops should spend more time in prayer for ALL of their flock, not just the ones that make them FEEL GOOD.
Thank you, Bishops
By Anonymous (not verified) on Saturday, March 13, 2010I appreciate the fact that our Bishops are preaching and upholding the Catholic faith and its biblical call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger.
Thank you, Bishops!
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:34)
Pass the Pierce bill
By Anonymous (not verified) on Thursday, March 11, 2010Hope the Arizona house assembly passes the new immigration trespassing bill and then I can have a good laugh, as millions of illegal alien families pour across the state line into Sanctuary California. It nearly brought Arizona to its knees and now it has a chance to generate billions of dollars to its treasuries. Burdened already by the illegal alien invasion, then perhaps Sacramento will do something for the REAL CITIZENS?
OH! Tell the Vatican and all the illegal alien lovers, we will fight to the bitter end.
Years of neglect by politicians has caused this terrible situation, with a poorly built border fence, easy movement of people who have overstayed US entry visas. To confront the powers that would destroy our Republic and our way of life. We recognize that silence is consent. It is our intention to bring together and focus the power of the millions of angry citizens -
and the many small groups who will no longer be silenced. As American patriots, we are joining to take back an America that has lost the rule of law on which it was founded - a nation that is nearly unrecognizable from only a generation ago. We raise our voices in our common language to demand that our borders be secured, our laws be enforced, and that our constitution be honored.
Our nation is being invaded and colonized. As is our duty, We the People will resist.
The cost to the American people WOULD BUY A COUNTRY
Arizona Bishops
By d novak (not verified) on Wednesday, March 10, 2010What did any of the prior posters (or myself, for that matter)ever do to deserve being born in this country?Why do we have more right to support our families than do these immigrants? All they want is a chance - a break. That's what my ancestors wanted - and there were plenty of folks back when - eager to send the dirty Polacks, Micks,Dagos (take your pick) back where they came from. Intolerance, I guess, easily spans the centuries. My hat off to the AZ bishops, willing to take the heat in a very hostile environmnent, to stand up for what's right.
the answer to your question ...
By Anonymous (not verified) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010The difference is that not one of your ancesters came here illegally. They would have been sent back.
Their ardent desire when they came here was to be citizens and work to be part of this country.
They did not demand that their children be taught in Polish or Gaelic or Italian and demand not to be integrated. They were proud to be here and pushed their children hard to assimilate, they did not claim that this was their country first and have squatters rights. The Church did not hire them lawyers to help them break the law, they taught them to obey the law in private schools, where they protected them.
I have immigrants in my own family. They are here legally. Are these illegals better than my family or the thousands of others that did it right? Are their children better than the generations before that they do not have to learn English and assimilate? It the Church correct now in teaching to lie and break the law or were they right then? The truth is still the truth, unchanged since God revealed Himself. No bishop can add or subtract from it. It is self serving faux charity they are practicing.
Re: the answer to your question ...
By The_Truth (not verified) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010"The difference is that not one of your ancesters came here illegally."
How can you say that about him? You don't know that. In fact a ton of people came here and snuck their way into the country as it wasn't too difficult to circumvent Ellis Island and the like. In fact, unless you are from a lineage of an indigenous peoples of the Americas, then your own ancestors could have come here illegally by perhaps bribing someone to let them in or sneaking aboard a ship as a stowaway, etc.
"Their ardent desire when they came here was to be citizens and work to be part of this country"
You mean like these people?
"or the thousands of others that did it right?"
Do you even realize how hard it is to become a citizen? You need either powerful connections or a good attorney in most cases. Most poor Mexicans can't even pay for the form filing fee. Not exactly welcoming in the poor and huddled masses.
"Are their children better than the generations before that they do not have to learn English and assimilate?"
Do you even know what the official language of the United States is? If you think it is English, you'd be wrong.
The thing that makes America great is our DIVERSITY. That's what separates us from everyone else. Differences should be embraced and not feared.
Peace!
I guess you did not read my comment before you wrote...
By Anonymous (not verified) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010It was actually difficult to sneak in then because you had to come here by ship and the ship line was reponsible for your return trip if they had not vetted you completely before you left Europe. You had to be healty too or they had to take you back. The rest of your conjecture is Hollywood fantasy or speculation on your part, but in no way did millions of people come here illegally.
I can say that I DO understand how hard it is to come here...4 well loved members of my family are LEGAL immigrants here and we are not rich by any means.
For the record there is no "official language" of the United States of America, but English is the language of success in this country and anyone that tells you differently is deceiving you for their own purposes.
I agree that diversity CAN be a strength when we are all legal and not living in the shadows as a permanent underclass. I appreciate your offer of peace(as long as I see it your way) but I prefer the Peace of Christ...it is simply more durable
Re: I guess you did not read my comment before you wrote...
By The_Truth (not verified) on Wednesday, April 21, 2010"I guess you did not read my comment before you wrote..."
Which comment is that? There are countless posts on here from "Anonymous."
"It was actually difficult to sneak in then because you had to come here by ship"
I thought they came via plane, submarine or the Star Trek transporter. ;) Of course they came by ship. You don't think people bribed workers to get on the boats nor stowed away nor produced fake documentation, etc?
"in no way did millions of people come here illegally."
I never said "millions," but millions have certainly come over the years.
"my family are LEGAL immigrants here and we are not rich by any means."
They are not rich as compared to whom? To a person living in a cardbox box in their barrio, I'm sure your family looks like Bill Gates to them (or more apropos Carlos Slim).
"there is no "official language"
So then why pretend that there is? There is no official language because we are a melting pot of cultures. You can take your DMV test here in more than 30 different languages.
"when we are all legal"
What is "legal?" It is a made up word based on perspective. To the indigenous peoples we are all illegal. If a child gets born on one side of an imaginary line they are legal, but ten inches the wrong way and they are illegal?
"I appreciate your offer of peace(as long as I see it your way)"
When did I say that? You are entitled to your own opinion as am I.
"Peace of Christ"
Likewise.
Cheers!
Arizona Law
By Delaware Bob (not verified) on Wednesday, March 10, 2010I for one, am sick and tired of these illegal aliens snubbing their nose at our immigration laws and the many other laws of this Country. If our Federal Government can not ENFORCE our immigration laws, and get these illegal aliens out of this Country, then let the States do it! One way or another, an end has to come to this illegal immigration, and not with AMNESTY! Amnesty will only encourage more illegal aliens to invade our Country and reward those who broke our laws and raped the American taxpayer in many ways...depressing our wages, taking our jobs, overwhelming our schools with their illegal alien children, driving without a license or car insurance, all the crime from stolen identities to rape, drugs and everything else.
It's time for ZERO TOLERENCE with these illegal aliens. It's time for them get out of this Country and back in their own Country where they belong. When we get rid of the illegal aliens, we will get rid of all the problems that go with them. THAT IS A FACT!
Question: What would the Catholic Church do to free this Countey of the illegal aliens? How would they get them out of this Country? They DO NOT belong here. So, what would you do to get them out of this Country?
