Posted on 01/27/2005 12:43:41 PM PST by bikepacker67
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Mexico City has joined the nation's politicians in criticizing a new Arizona law that restricts illegal migrants' access to some public services.
"We have already said many times that (illegal migrants) are not criminals," Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera told reporters following Mass Jan. 16. "They merely leave their ... country in search of work and ... governments (should) respect their human rights."
An editorial in the Mexico City Archdiocese's weekly newsletter was more blunt in its criticism, saying the Arizona law "was another example of political arrogance and social selfishness that has characterized some governments in the United States."
Cardinal Rivera expressed concern that the new law could be adopted in other states.
"Fortunately, this is an isolated case up until now," he said.
In November, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which denies some public welfare benefits to illegal migrants. The law took effect Dec. 22.
Human rights groups on both sides of the border have criticized the measure as racist, though the law's supporters say it will save taxpayers money and strengthen law enforcement.
An estimated 3 million to 5 million Mexicans live and work illegally in the United States, and Mexican officials estimate some 300,000 are in Arizona.
Proposition 200 currently keeps undocumented aliens from receiving welfare benefits and some forms of medical care and makes it a crime for state and local employees not to report anyone they suspect of illegally applying for benefits.
The bill's supporters are suing to expand the law's scope and ban other public services for illegal migrants.
In its editorial, the Mexico City Archdiocese urged the Mexican Foreign Ministry, churches and civil society to "work intensely to change this situation through political, diplomatic and legal channels."
Mexican Interior Minister Santiago Creel Miranda criticized Proposition 200 as a "discriminatory law that will directly affect 300,000 Mexicans" living illegally in Arizona.
"It's incompatible with human rights and does a disservice to both countries, the U.S. as much as Mexico," Creel said following Jan. 17 border talks with U.S. officials in Calexico, Calif.
Mexico has been lobbying the United States since 2000 for migration reform.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said after a meeting with Creel that migration reform is still a high priority for President George W. Bush. Ridge did not criticize Proposition 200.
In its editorial, the Mexico City Archdiocese also urged the Mexican government to do a better job looking after the human rights of foreign migrants passing through Mexico on their way to the United States. Rights groups regularly report human rights violations against Asian and Central American migrants who use Mexico as a springboard to the United States.
"We can hardly protest something (rights violations) we do as well," the archdiocese said.
With all due respect Archbishop, there is something we have called sovereignty and something called a border. If you cross it without permission, you ARE breaking the law, and therefore a criminal.
yeah, how dare us fail in our duty as Mexico's welfare plan.
"They merely leave their ... country in search of work and ... governments (should) respect their human rights."
If they come here to work, then why should they need welfare?
You no paya the bill, you shutta up you mouth.
Does this guy live on Mars? Oh no, I forgot, he's in Mexico. They have a little different definition of the meaning of criminal there.
Special memo to Cardinal Rivera:
In OUR country, illegal immigration IS a crime!
Before you criticize our states' budgets, you ought to help clean up Mexico's problems FIRST!
Now with all due respect to a man of the cloth...STFU!
"...was another example of political arrogance and social selfishness that has characterized some governments in the United States."
It is arrogant and selfish to deny welfare to non-citizens? WTF?!
Er, I mean WTF, father?!
And where the HELL IS GEORGE BUSH????
I swear to god, if he doesn't start coming around to stopping this THIEVERY, he'll go down as one of the biggest traitors to this nation.
These mexicans speaking out against this proposition sure use all the UN catch-phrases. This is just the latest in the war against America for our sovereignty. They're another cudgel of the un.
Mexico had more Billionaires than any other country. Start with them Padre.
Or....
Why don't we start getting a piece of the Mexican income tax system? If the Mexican government wants to send their people here, and even help them get here illegally, maybe they'd like to kick in for supporting them?
I mean, why should US taxpayers be the only ones supporting them?
Since when? Actually in our country illegal immigration is called a guest worker program.
You're so right! Bush's guest worker "reform" is just a
euphemism for amnesty. As Victor Davis Hanson pointed out,
Mexico is avoiding needed internal reform by dumping its
potential troublemakers into the U.S. They take the money
made here but we pay taxes for bankrupt school systems,
insolvent hospitals, prison incarceration, and social
services. By the way, that's a new oxymoron: illegal but
not criminal migrants! Both parties are betraying the
citizenry which overwhelmingly OPPOSES this illegal sunami. I regret to say the only thing that will end this
disconnect is when some terrorists cross with some coyotes
and kill thousands (millions?) of Americans again.
If the archbishop would melt down the tons of gold in his cathedral in Mexico City, and share it among his country's poor, maybe they wouldn't have to come up here and live as parasites on our bounty.
And every time, sir, you have been WRONG.
Excuse me, Cardinal Carrera, but this Catholic of Mexican ancestry doesn't find this racist in any way-you come here illegally, then you are a criminal, and the only "service" you are entitled to is deportation or jail-this clergyman is obviously out of touch.
ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.