Survey finds strong Catholic support for immigration changes

Catholic News Agency ^ | Apr 27, 2013

[Alex Murphy]

Washington D.C., Apr 27, 2013 / 01:09 pm (CNA).- A survey commissioned by the U.S. bishops finds that almost 80 percent of Catholics support legal changes that allow immigrants to gain “earned citizenship” through meeting certain requirements.

“It is clear that Catholics understand the importance of this issue,” Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, who chairs the U.S. bishops’ migration committee, said April 19 in response to the poll.

“As an immigrant church, Catholics from all walks of life understand the migration experience and accept the Gospel’s call to welcome the stranger.”

The survey, commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs, found that 77 percent of U.S. Catholics support citizenship for immigrants who fulfill requirements like registration, paying a fine, paying taxes, and taking English classes.

Eighty-four percent of respondents agree that requiring immigrants to register with the government in order to remain in the country would improve national security.

Another 75 percent of respondents said immigration law enforcement should be focused on “humane values” that deport violent criminals but “finds ways to work with people who have come to find a better life.”

Most respondents said that border security and humane treatment of illegal immigrants are compatible and most agree that the Church has an obligation to help those in need, even if they are illegal residents. Additionally, most believe that immigrants are good for the economy, and most thought that enforcement-only policy focused on deportations is bad for family unity.

Sixty percent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly or more said that the immigration issue is very important to them.

The Catholic bishops have endorsed changes to immigration law, such as allowing an expansive “path to citizenship” for undocumented immigrants and expanding legal migration for low-skilled migrant workers.

Archbishop Gomez encouraged Catholics to ask their legislators to support “humane” immigration reform, saying this would “help our brothers and sisters come out of the shadows and become full members of our communities.”

[Alex Murphy]

The survey, commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs, found that 77 percent of U.S. Catholics support citizenship for immigrants who fulfill requirements like registration, paying a fine, paying taxes, and taking English classes....

....Most respondents said that border security and humane treatment of illegal immigrants are compatible and most agree that the Church has an obligation to help those in need, even if they are illegal residents. Additionally, most believe that immigrants are good for the economy, and most thought that enforcement-only policy focused on deportations is bad for family unity.

[cardinal4]

Oy Vey! *exclaimed a Catholic*

[ansel12]

You see this among many freepers when mass Catholic immigration and the hopes of the democrat party/pro-abortion left for coming to total control of America are mentioned.

Many FR Catholics still do not want to stop it.

[FlingWingFlyer]

IMHO, they foolishly believe that the illegals will fill their pews when they are not out driving around drunk. They’ve got a big shock coming.

[Alex Murphy]

IMHO, they foolishly believe that the illegals will fill their pews when they are not out driving around drunk. They’ve got a big shock coming.

I think they're pretty much used to it by now, given Edward Kennedy and all.

[muawiyah]

The Catholic Church is not exactly an 'immigrant church'. Columbus had a priest on board ~ that was at the beginning of the period where Europeans, specifically Spanish conquistidores began conquering the Americas and taking them over.

Historically, the Protestan churches are part of the 'immigrant', as distinct from the 'conquistedore', experience!

Not to be picky, but the bishops know better.

[publius911]

A survey commissioned by the U.S. bishops finds that almost 80 percent of Catholics support legal changes that allow immigrants to gain “earned citizenship” through meeting certain requirements.

I refuse to take this seriously until several things are revealed in detail.

Where and how was this survey done?

What was the phrasing of the questions, and how many questions were there?

Until then this so called survey can be viewed as totally irrelevant and fraudulent.

[Venturer]

IMO the Bishops ran a poll of other Bishops and got the answer they wanted.

I know a few Catholics as I attend Church regularly, and not one of them favors Amnesty.

Of course where I live we work for a l;iving.

[Arthur McGowan]

Headline should read: Most Catholics support bishops’ effort to import more pro-abortion voters.

[publius911]

I forgot the most important question : in that survey, was a clear distinction made between legal and illegal immigrants?

Confounding the issue has always been the ONLY useful strategy among the pro-illegals supporters.

[G Larry]

I’m a conservative Roman Catholic.

Let ME design the survey questions!

1-Do you believe that immigrants who came here illegally should be given the advantages of citizenship ahead of those legal immigrants who have properly applied for citizenship?

2-Do you think it’s fair that the current flood of illegal immigrant workers have relegated legal immigrants to slave wages?

Now, some do-gooder is going respond that “employers should provide fair wages for all workers”.
Because the do-gooders would like to pretend that supply and demand have no effect on wages.

[al_c]

Well duh ... if course we need immigration reform. But it doesn’t need to mean citizenship for illegals.

[ansel12]

The thing is, we don’t need any immigrants, America’s population was just fine 40 years ago.

This last 100 million people suck.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Survey finds strong Catholic support for immigration changes

Yabut yabut....what if the Catholics are Mexicans?

[publius911]

...found that 77 percent of U.S. Catholics support citizenship for immigrants who fulfill requirements like registration, paying a fine, paying taxes, and taking English classes.

Two problems with this wording, bordering on fraud and/or negligent incompetence.

One. No mention of allegiance to a foreign country or religion.
Second, it is laughable to requiring "taking English classes...

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

(no requirement that they actuall become fluent enough in English to satisfy the obligations of citizenship, without seriously compromising the safety of genuine American citizens. NO PROVISION FOR THE REVOCATION OF CITIZENSHIP IF LIES AND SUBTERFUGE ARE PROVIDED AS 'TRUTH' IN THE APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP.)

No oath required to assert that they do not intend to exist permanently on national charity.

If the bishops are delusional enough to expect to override civil law, what's to stop the koranimals from demanding the same?

[AlmaKing]

Not this Catholic.

[NCDave]

They just want $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[cookcounty]

These surveys are idiotic! EVERYONE on the right wants changes in ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The shock is that it isn’t 100%.

B-u-i-l-d the fence. Now, first, and then we can talk about “comprehensive.”

[JCBreckenridge]

Psst, have you noticed that Alex Murphy’s shtick is that it’s always Catholics who are responsible for everything?

Not this Catholic either.

There’s a path to citizenship. I also support deportation, which evangelical protestants like McCain do not.