US Catholic Bishops Opposition To Arizona Immigration Law Leaves Many Unanswered Questions

April 29, 2010 - The US Bishops have roundly condemned the recent Arizona immigration law. That’s not necessarily surprising, especially given the social activist tendencies of some of the more politically liberal bishops, Cardinal Mahoney being a good example. What is surprising is this condemnation has also come from much more conservative quarters. Bishop Finn of the diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph and Archbishop Dolan of New York have also both issued statements opposing the AZ law. It seems clear that the bishops are of one mind when it comes to this issue.

There is a gigantic problem though. The bishops’ opposition lacks any detail or specificity – and it is the details that are important. It’s a lot like saying one is opposed to war and for peace. Almost everyone can agree on that point. The disagreement arises in the details—because there are circumstances where war is justified and necessary to achieve peace.

Archbishop Dolan of New York addressed the AZ immigration bill in his blog. In this column he laments and condemns the fact that immigrants often become scapecoats. He also, quite rightly, points to the Catholic ethos of welcoming everyone, and the important role that immigrants have played in the U.S. There is only one problem with his analysis: immigrants can be separated into legal and illegal categories. By an overwhelming majority, those that entered the U.S. in the latter part of the 19th and the first of half of the 20th century, were LEGAL immigrants. The immigrants that the AZ law is attempting to address are ILLEGAL ones.

Cardinal Mahoney was one of the first to comment on the new law, he compromised his credibility by comparing it to Nazism. His comments really served no purpose but to ratchet up the rhetoric. One wonders if he even read the law. It’s only seventeen pages and having read it, there is nothing in it that would justify such an over-the-top slam. I would call it a quite reasonable and commonsense law – and one that I support.

So you see, there is a huge disconnect between the bishops’ almost universal criticism of this bill and my understanding as a Catholic layman as to why. Frankly, the President has the same problem with the citizens of this country; an overwhelming majority of U.S. citizens oppose illegal immigration – NOT immigration – illegal immigration.

Catholic bishops studied moral theology in the seminary; I have not. I admit that I may be ignorant on this topic and am very much willing to be educated about the moral imperatives of this subject. To that end I have a few questions to ask Your Excellencies. The answers may help me understand your moral opposition to this law.

I do not oppose immigration; my grandparents were legal immigrants. What I oppose is illegal immigration. I favor immigration reform, as do the bishops. But like the topic of “peace” mentioned earlier, it’s easy to agree we need immigration reform, but the devil is in the details. Precise answers to the above questions will provide many of these details.

I have an open mind and am willing to be convinced that my opposition is misplaced. Answers to the above questions will go a long way to helping me, and many other Catholics in the United States understand the Church’s position on this issue—and therefore your opposition to this law. Your Excellencies, we the lay faithful whom you sheperd, ask you our spiritual leaders for moral clarity on this issue. While your position on this issue is quite clear, the morale underpinning for it is not.

Hello Everyone, I am Father David Lamb and I am new to this forum. I would like to answer these 3 questions regarding the morality of immigration laws. If anyone responds please send a copy to my e-mail address or a link to the response. Thank you in advance

1. Is it moral for a state or the federal government to impose controls on immigration?

Fr Dave Answers: Yes, so as long as those immigration laws which control immigration are just and support human life and human dignity recognizing the natural rights of human beings to immigrate in order to find a better life for their families. This requires immigration laws which allow for the swift immigration approval of those in economic peril. Whether that is through means of guest workers, and or sponsorship like it use to be at the turn of the 19/20th century.

2. Is it moral for the government to enforce such laws?

Fr Dave Answers: Yes, however, it is also moral to disobey laws which undermine human life and human dignity, and that are contrary to the common good of the natural rights of human beings.

3. Does the government have the moral right to deport people that have entered the US illegally?

Fr Dave Answers: Fr Dave Answers: Fr Dave Answers: That depends on the circumstances. If a family of illegal’s have been living in the US peacefully it would be immoral to deport them, instead, they should be granted amnesty if it can be shown that they have made contributions to the common good, even if those contributions are simply supporting their families, which is the primary vocation of married life.

4. Does the government have the moral obligation to give illegal immigrants amnesty?

Fr Dave Answers: YES, so as long as the above conditions are met.

5. Is it immoral to ask people to document or prove they are in the U.S. legally? If so, how is that different than a foreign government asking me to show my papers/passport and prove that I am in their country legally?

Fr Dave Answers: The Constitution of the United States prohibits states from enacting immigration policies which includes asking for “papers” to prove citizenship. In this case the morality of such laws is found in the supreme law of the land which must be obeyed unless it violates human life and human dignity

6. Is it immoral for a government to deny FREE medical coverage to illegal immigrants for non-life threatening conditions?

Fr Dave Answers:YES!!!!!! Medical conditions which require treatment are tied to natural rights the chief being the right to life and human dignity. Whether or not someone is here legally or illegally is irrelevant.

7. Is it immoral to deny illegal immigrants and/or their children access to our FREE public school system?

Fr Dave Answers:YES!!! Education is a natural right and especially for young children. Immigration status is irrelevant.

Hope this helps provide you with moral guidance.

Fr Dave davidmlamb@aol.com

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