April 14, 2006

Letters to the Editor

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Cardinal Mahony’s words send wrong immigration message

In response to the article in the March 10 edition of The Criterion, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles lashes out at anti-immigration feelings in the United States, and asks Catholics to dedicate their prayers and practices to help immigrants.

Cardinal Mahony should know that Catholics don’t have a problem with immigrants—Catholics have a problem with illegal immigrants.

Nowhere does Cardinal Mahony use the word “illegal.” He is quoted in The Tidings newspaper that “anyone who does anything else for someone here who doesn’t have documents would be a felon under this bill.” That was in reference to a bill being considered by Congress.

When I was in grammar school, the nuns told us that it is a sin to break the laws of the United States. Currently, in California, hospitals must maintain a staff of 140 different language translators since the illegal immigration has gotten out of hand. In these hospitals, the patients can’t speak English.

One ploy of destitute parents is to cross the border in time to have their baby delivered in the United States, since medical care is free, and then remain in the United States to take care of their baby since their baby is now a U.S. citizen. That would be the only “humane” thing to do. I’m sure Cardinal Mahony would agree.

Cardinal Mahony does not agree with the Minutemen on the border to help the Border Patrol. I fail to see his objection. The Minutemen are unarmed. The National Guard should be on the border to help the Border Patrol.

Finally, Cardinal Mahony compares the influx of the Irish and Italian immigrants, at the turn of the last century, to the present day rise in the mostly Hispanic population. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Irish and Italian immigrants were here of legal status and did assimilate. The mostly Hispanic population which has come across our borders are not of legal status and do not assimilate.

- Thomas Brown, Indianapolis

 

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