Lots of folks are still taking refuge in St. Bridget's, and they are not going to leave till ICE leaves town. The church ran out of food last night. If you care to help feed the children and other family members who are hiding there, you can send a check to (updated address):
St. Bridget's Hispanic Fund
P.O. Box 369
Postville, IA 52162
in care of Sister Mary McCauley
The phone number that comes up on Google is for the rectory; if you want to talk to the kitchen staff, call (563) 864-3142 instead.
Update:
I have had a couple of conversations with townspeople about the situation in Postville. Reactions range from pity for the children who are so bereft at the moment, to "Let 'em go hungry. Ship 'em back to Mexico." I'd like to clarify that I am not anti-raid, anti-ICE, anti-Homeland Security. I appreciate that they stepped in to enforce the law of the land. My complaint is that no allowances were made for caring for the bystanders who did not choose to come to Iowa with their fathers and/or mothers, or did not choose to be born here. My beef is also with the owners and managers of Agriprocessors, who could not see past the dollar signs well enough to insist that their company kept the law of the land. There are ways to keep your work force legal. Others manage. They could have, too.
I'm really concerned about the cases where it appears that ICE looked at individual family units and determined that though Mom and Dad will be deported, there is a high school aged student still at home who can take responsibility for the younger siblings. I think of my own high school aged daughter, responsible as she is, and what would happen should Barry and I just suddenly be hauled off in a bus with no hope of return, with the government expecting her to take care of her brother and sister and all their needs, and it makes me shiver for those high school kids down there.
One more thought (and I cannot promise it will be the last): As parents, part of our job is to keep our children safe. Breaking the law is not protecting our children. I could get hauled away in a truck if I broke the law. Any parent could. Now these particular parents brought their families to Iowa to provide a better life for them than they had in Honduras or Guatemala or Mexico. Yet the fact that their being here broke the law, still leaves the children in a very tenuous situation.
41 comments:
While I welcome comments, I must delete those that a) take the Lord's name in vain and b) insult or villify any particular religious or ethnic group.
I think you are supporting criminals who not only misuse US citizens' and legal immigrants' identity but also by taking their jobs expose LEGAL children to emotional neglect, as their parents have to work two jobs and cannot be at their side when ordinary parental support is necessary. Average working class citizens and legal immigrants from Bosnia, Laos, Vietnam, Sudan just to mention a few have to work jobs without sufficient social benefits and even pay for ILLEGALS' benefits.
As a LEGAL immigrant I had to pass
extensive criminal and medical background checks,
provide authorities with numerous documents they required,
American citizens had to pledge that if I'd ever claim ANY benefits THEY would pay instead,
and that - although being a law-abiding citizen and paying my taxes - I would NOT be eligible for ANY benefits.
In addition to all this I had to pay thousands of fees, apply for extra certificates, get documentation notarized, had to travel to US consulates etc., etc., etc. which took me 1 1/2 years.
I couldn’t get married in the meantime, not travel within my home country and had only a small window to come to Iowa or forget it.
All those rules were made BY DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED AMERICAN LAWMAKERS to protect both AMERICANS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, as it is their job and they are very skilled at PROTECTING the USA.
Now some in your church decide that THEY are above the law and THEY know better what is right and what is wrong and although THEY don't have a comprehensive understanding - such as the above-mentioned lawmakers and ICE - of immigration law, that they rather grant asylum to criminals.
What do you tell your child when one of those ILLEGALS - a known rapist from Guatemala - brutally raped one of his good friends?
What do you tell your child when dad doesn't come home anymore since he was killed by somebody not aware of US traffic laws?
What do you tell them when one of their classmates dies from a disease that has been so rare in the US that doctors wouldn't diagnose it early enough to safe his live [which would have been prevented by following proper medical immigration procedures]?
Ever since the church's early existence there have been enemies even within the church itself and I think that people who solicit help for ILLEGAL alien criminals and harbor them are in fact in grave if not even mortal sin themselves as they help to destroy the lives of law-abiding working class families and their futures in your community.
I will network with honest patriotic Christians to fight those devilish practices and will not tolerate that innocent law-abiding working class Americans get stabbed in the back by vain people listening to Satan whispering into their ears: "It's politically correct, it'll make your popular, go for it - you are above the law, your female "gut feelings" are more important than the law, don't worry, YOUR family won't have to pay for it!"!
A law-abiding LEGAL [Catholic] immigrant
PS: Please feel free to share this e-mail with your priest and fellow parish members.
Dear Legal Immigrant,
Thanks for the thoughtful post.
For the record, we are not Catholic. Also, the laws of sanctuary go back at least as far as the Temple of Israel back in the days of ancient Israel, possibly even longer than that. The biblical principle was that a person could seek sanctuary at the temple, and then his or her case would be decided by the authorities. It was a temporary measure, designed to prevent vigilante justice going awry, as I understand it.
I think it applies well here. The immigrants (presumably illegal, or they would not have been afraid) sought sanctuary in the church, but eventually they will be sorted out, they can't live there forever.
What I am obviously not making clear in my blog is that my concern is for the children whose parents were taken. Should they not be fed? I do not believe in making children go hungry for their parents' mistakes. That's why Barry and I sent money to St. Bridget's, to feed the kids in the present crisis. We stated as such. I do not see how people can read my blog and think that because I am opposed to children going hungry, I am opposed to the laws of the land.
Oh, and may I also say, thank you for making the huge effort and expense to be in our nation legally? People who complain about the government (like me, sometimes) need to talk to people like you more often.
A) You are referring to the people you are soliciting money for as "children and other family members" [which clearly is NOT limited to children!].
B) Like in Texas the government would take care of the children. They would not be left behind starving. Also non-government agencies would take care of them. No need to get involved as a non authorized bystander. Do you also solicit help for children of (American) meth cookers in your community?
C) The old tradition you're referring to was made to avoid lynch justice and the mob replacing a fair trail. There is not such danger for the children AND family members in Postville. Even TV stations offer hotlines and informational help although other than the children those "other family members" are also potential criminals.
D) That tradition was also not established to make it IMPOSSIBLE for judges and law enforcement in the first place to investigate and communicate with "suspects". You're referring to this yourself as "and then his or her case would be decided by the authorities". However you are saying that “…they are not going to leave till ICE leaves town” indicating that by supporting them in their sanctuary place would enable them to stay longer in order to eventually avoid legal prosecution by ICE at all. This obviously means soliciting help for [potential]criminals and interference with Federal investigations (which BTW is a crime also).
E) Still as a concerned mother there is a lot you can learn from this (and share with your children): Educate yourself before you act inspired by gut-feeling, you might end up supporting the wrong party and afterwards having legal statements posted on the internet for law-enforcement and your neighbors to read that in fact you DID help, encourage and break Federal law yourself. Plus: if you’re really not sure at least don’t put it on your blog. Take your kids along to help disabled Iowans or the elderly if you have enough spare time for good deeds – that doesn’t give you a lot of publicity but you could really change a good person’s live who ended up in misery WITHOUT his fault! If you think “strangers” are the better addressees for your help, visit some Bosnians who survived Srebrenica and LISTEN to their stories!
Publicity? You think I'm looking for publicity?
The bible says to take care of one another and to love others as yourself.
Think of the children and families left behind.
Agriprocessors ALLOWED this mess to be created and looked the other way. Where is the justice in that?
If you want peace, work for justice.
Be the light for working class US citizens and stop the Catholic Church to encourage ILLEGAL Aliens and their spouses to steal their jobs!
Why does the church do so?
Since those ILLEGALS are predominantly CATHOLIC and the Catholic Church faces a shortage of priests and in the light of the most recent rulings on gay marriage / “discrimination” of gay couples (reg. Adoption of children) etc. needs strengthen its position. The Catholic church BTW funds places in Mexico where ILLEGAL aliens get a hot shower, food and legal advice on how to react once arrested by US Law Enforcement (the Vatican recently confirmed this officially). This is NOT to help sinners who found themselves coincidentally in a "stupid situation" but this is the church's ACTIVE policy.
Open your eyes, educate yourself, don't trust the main stream media!
Thank you for your blog. I am sending $100 today to support the good work of St. Bridget's Church. I was shocked by the response of Legal Immigrant. I'd like to remind him (or her) of the words engraved on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" That welcome was extended to people without papers. It is only in modern times that we have become so close-minded. You, Northeast Iowa Mom, and the good people of St. Bridgets exemplify what makes America great. Keep lifting that lamp high -- and fighting the good fight -- for all of us!
Thank you, Chenpo. :o) Please let me clarify - don't thank me, I didn't do anything. It's the Christians (both Catholic and Protestant) in Postville who are STILL, after two months, supporting the children left behind. I'm sure they will appreciate your check.
Dear Northeast Iowa Mom, I think your message is very clear in expressing real concern for the children. I share your concern and am prompted to contribute to the church's fund. I believe that God views all of us as his children; that he does not recognize artificial borders drawn by man. We will be judged by how we treat the rest of God's children.
Dear Iowa Mom,
Thank you for opening this space for discussion. I am sending a check to the St. Bridget’s parish today. This is a great country, but many views on immigration border on Fascism. I myself am a legal immigrant, and I have already spent over $15,000 in immigration and attorney fees just to get and renew a working visa and now a green card. Yet I don't think I'm any better than these simple folk who have been here for so long and created a life for them and their children. Scapegoating these people for the problems America faces is a terrible mistake. Much could be done to improve the economy, health care and scientific research with a fraction of the 400 million dollars spent every day in Iraq alone. And many of these tragic stories could be avoided if congress and the president were really committed to immigration reform. Lastly, just for the record, I would like to say that I am an atheist.
While I have compassion for those who are experiencing the fallout of this event, I would make the following comments.
These people are in this country illegally, period. They have broken laws that you or I would do serious jail time for including use of false federal identification cards. Do any of them have criminal records, here or at home? Are any mentally deranged? Sexual Predators? You have no clue.
The reason they are here is more complex. They are here because the corrupt leaders of their home countries refuse to build a middle class that would support their populations. Its easier to let them leave while raking in US foreign aid and lining their retirement accounts with millions.
Shocking and sad as their plight is, they are still here illegally. They should be humanely placed over the border and told to come back when they can do so legally - jail time next time. Do we need to expand a visa program for the unskilled, certainly but the visa must be issued in the country of origin. They must leave and reenter legally.
One last question. Why were they hired in the first place? No American citizens to do the work in IA? Or is it an economic motive with sub-minimum wages for workers who have no one to complain to?
As an IT consultant, I work with lots of H1B visa holders who had to demonstrate skills and wait to come. Many are here without their families and may be without them for 3 to 7 years before they can enter legally. It infuriates them to see illegals bringing their families in and overloading public services while they are suffering for playing by the rules. Who's crying for them?
St. Bridget's is engaged in CRIMINAL activity, and ALL facilitators should be prosecuted....we are at WAR WITH MEXICO.
These are people in trouble because they are lured here by sub-standard jobs that most of us would not work at for a sub-standard wage. I am sending money so the church may feed these women and children, take care of them until they go to trial etc. From the tone of some of these blogs I am sure that you are far more concerned with controlling people's morality than practicing Christian charity, which I thought was what Jesus Christ asked us to do in this world. Remember: Do unto others as you would them to do for you. Open your hearts, minds and maybe even your wallets to help the children.
These are people in trouble because they are lured here by sub-standard jobs that most of us would not work at for a sub-standard wage. I am sending money so the church may feed these women and children, take care of them until they go to trial etc. From the tone of some of these blogs I am sure that you are far more concerned with controlling people's morality than practicing Christian charity, which I thought was what Jesus Christ asked us to do in this world. Remember: Do unto others as you would them to do for you. Open your hearts, minds and maybe even your wallets to help the children.
we create a virtual slave class which enables our economy, we exploit and persecute those who we lure into this class, we provide no legal pathway to residency or citizenship and resist making one available, we criminalize an entire class of hard working, honest, modest people at the same time we benefit from their suffering.
if there was ever a test of our morality as a government and as a people, we fail, profoundly.
Dear St. Bridget's
Thanks for helping. I too will help with a donation. Keep up the good work. God bless you.
Suzanne and Walter in California
First of all, the employer is the one that should be held responsible for hiring these persons and creating the situation! Close the place down for a period of time and this excuse of ignorance on the part of the employers would cease to be the standard.
Identity theft is another crime and you sympathizers will feel very different when you discover that it has been your identity that was stolen!
Second, the parents are ILLEGAL and it doesn't matter where they came from or why they are here. Not a legitimate excuse! They chose to place themselves and their children in this situation. They also can chose, and are free to take their children out of this country. The 14th amendment was designed for the slaves and not the law breakers. We legal citizens are responsible for our children and that would entail taking them with if we were to move for a job. NO different!
I have my own 7 children and they get no government benefits. I am sick and tired of taking care of the children of persons who have no rights in my country, and seeing my children having to suffer because of those "programs", ie ESL, free medical, in-state tuition or free, cheap loans, falsifying W4 forms to pay minimum or no income tax, etc.
Thirdly, These people are criminals, and should be prosecuted along with the churches, organizations which support this activity. If you don't condemn it, you are condoning it!!! Hiding behind the church is pathetic.
BZ to legal immigrant. Thank you for assimilating to my America and becoming an American and not a hyphenated impersonator.
I will be pushing for your "church" to loose its tax exempt status. The law is clear, these people are criminals, and you are aiding them. Eveyone who donates money to this is also aiding and can be charged.
I keep thinking I should close this post to comments, but then everyone seems to appreciate having a soapbox to stand on, so I am leaving it open for now.
I am somewhat amused by how many people registered with a Blogger account for the sole purpose of posting to this thread.
I am an atheist, though former catholic, so while I cannot give blessings I can make an argument or two.
All people make mistakes. To deny this is to deny one's humanity.
It can be also said that, while using another person's SSN, they are enriching that person. Consider the Medicare and Social Security taxes taken out of every paycheck. Those monies would not be taken back by the immigrant, but go to the person whose number was, admittedly illegally, used.
Even the heathens love their neighbors. It was Yeshua's will that you love even your enemies. The levels of rage (sometimes I would consider murderous - let children starve?!) that I see in immigration debates show that people deny this. It is a loss for any person of any religion, but especially those of faiths which enshrine those principles, and it is also a loss for society.
But I think that the best I can say is a passage I still hold to, in spirit:
"Then the Son will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The Son will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"
Peace be unto you all.
Please everyone let us think about people who are hungry and thirsty and argue the political point at another time. We are all responsible for each other. So if you care to let people starve because of your political viewpoint so be it and live with yourself and your higher power for a better but much lonelier life.
I may be in error, but as I understand it, it's a Federal law that any child born in the USA is a citizen, and by association, the mother becomes a citizen. Is Iowa exempt from this law, or did the law change?
Also, the people who should be responsible for the identity theft, by the definition, should be the processing plant managers and owners. They are the felons in this case, the aliens are merely the recipients of the crime's loot - the IDs. I highly doubt they used those IDs to get credit, buy things on the internet, make toll phone calls, etc. like most identity thieves. In other words, the people who gained the most from the crime was the company, not the employees.
Yes we must look after the suffering, and we also must make those that allowed the suffering to take responsibility. The employer broke the law, now take responsibility. The laws of the land no matter how we feel about them must be followed. "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's" The phrase "illegal immigrant" says it all. Simply because previous governments have looked away for so long does not now mean the laws are bad.
What a good plan. Go to America illegally. Have a baby. Claim family hardship. Find a bleeding heart. Cry. Cry some more. Oh and now suddenly the law is wrong.
If you're an adult, and you make a bad choice, then take responsibility for your actions.
Is this not what we teach our own children. Does not God ask the same of us.
I want to help, but don't ask me to break the law. If the system needs fixing lets tune it, but DO NOT break the law or else what do the other laws matter?
Not an easy problem, but that's the life our God gave us.
What a laugh.
Here's how REALITY works: there is no such thing as an "Innocent" in this, nor is there any reason we shouldn't "punish" the kids of these CRIMINAL ILLEGALS.
First up: in order to be US citizens, they have to be LEGALLY here. They don't get it just by being born here, that's a GROSS mischaracterization of the constitution.
SECOND up: All this nonsense about "not punishing" kids for their parents' crimes... we do it ALL THE TIME. If you get fined, your kids have to face the fact that you have less money. If you go to jail, we don't let you out just for being a parent. If someone ILLEGALLY brings their kid here and you don't want their family "broken up"? SEND THE WHOLE FAMILY BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
FINALLY.
I got a phone call when my baby son was 6 months old. It was from a debt collector trying to collect on "bad debt" from an ILLEGAL who'd stolen a social security number, "bought" a car in Prairie Du Chien Iowa (right down the road from Postville), then ran off with the car and never paid a dime.
They were coming after MY son, my wonderful baby boy, trying to get "repayment" for the THEFT committed by an ILLEGAL. My baby boy will have to live his entire life wondering when ELSE his social security number will get used, because we've already caught it twice more. And it's going to cause him credit problems EVERY time he tries to do normal things - like buy a car himself, or get a loan to buy his home, or get student loans for college, or start bank accounts for his family.
If someone is ILLEGALLY here, they didn't "just" commit the crime of unlawful entry. They have stolen food from the mouths of hungry Americans. They have depressed wages and made it harder for our kids to make it to college and our families to struggle through the day. Their kids have clogged up our educational systems, WASTED class time, and dragged down the entire class. They have stolen our money by demanding that THEY, who shoudln't even be here, somehow deserve massive extra funding to pay for "ESL" teachers and books and class space.
They have STOLEN the very medicine and lives of our kids clogging up our hospitals and emergency care centers. They have stolen the identities of legal citizens and immigrants, and literally ruined their lives by running up debt and running out on it.
You know what's REALLY sad? I was born and raised Catholic. I always intended to raise my kids in the Catholic Church.
If this is what the Catholic church teaches, then what it teaches ME is that "God" is no longer in there and therefore there's no point to being in the Catholic Church.
I can certainly teach my kids a lot better morality than you're offering - like teaching them NOT to lie, NOT to steal, and NOT to treat others like dirt. Apparently the Catholic Church doesn't even follow the Ten Commandments any more, you've broken two already just there.
If you actually read your bible, you'd realize Jesus did NOT tell people to keep sinning or to encourage them to break the law. It's just too bad the Catholic Church threw God and the Bible down the toilet a long time ago.
I'm happy to be sending my check to support such a worthy cause as feeding people and providing shelter. It is wonderful there are people in Postville willing to do what is right in spite of the condemnation being directed their way. The laws of our land will continue to be violated so long as they are up against the laws of nature, and feeding one's self and family is about as basic a law as it gets. Some day our laws will consider this fact.
Hey m1rthful, how do you know your son's SSN was used by an illegal? There are plenty of crooks that are in the country legally. And why don't you get him another number?
"And why don't you get him another number?"
Can you do that? I never knew.
I actually wasn't sure so I went to the Social Security web site and found this:
"We do not routinely assign a new number to someone whose identity has been stolen. First, you should do several other things, such as:
File a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place, and keep a copy of the police report as proof of the crime;
Notify the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-ID-THEFT or 1-877-438-4338);
Contact the fraud units of the three major credit reporting bureaus:
Equifax (800-525-6285);
Trans Union: (800-680-7289); and
Experian: (888-397-3742).
Call each of your creditors to report fraud for any account that has been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Only as a last resort should you consider changing your Social Security number. Changing your number may adversely impact your ability to interact with federal and state agencies, employers and others. This is because your financial, medical, employment and other records will be under your former Social Security number. If you have done all you can and someone still is using your number, we may assign you a new number. We cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem."
I would think at his young age, they would be more willing to give him a new number, providing that m1rthful can provide them with documentation for what (s)he describes.
To the criminal harborers at St. Bridget's:
YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW:
The following are excerpts from the Federal Statute known as Title 8 of the U.S. Code. It’s a must read for the illegal alien apologists and the ACLU:
US law on illegal entry:
US Code Title 8 Section 1325
(a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; Misrepresentation and concealment of facts:
Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the
willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both. Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to enter) the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty of -
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or attempted entry); or (2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subsection.
Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be imposed.
Federal Law regarding the hiring of illegals:
Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A): “A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
Assists an illegal alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or encourages that illegal alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions. Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Anyone employing or contracting with an illegal alien without verifying his or her work authorization status is guilty of a misdemeanor. Aliens and employers violating immigration laws are subject to arrest, detention, and seizure of their vehicles or property. In addition, individuals or entities who engage in racketeering enterprises that commit (or conspire to commit) immigration-related felonies are subject to private civil suits for treble damages and injunctive relief.”
Those who aid and abet:
Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)( b )(iii)
Which states, in part,
“Any person who . . . encourages or induces an illegal alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each illegal alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.”
“It is a violation of law for any person to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection in any place, including any building or means of transportation, any alien who is in the United States in violation of law. Harboring means any conduct that tends to substantially facilitate an alien to remain in the U.S. illegally. This provision includes harboring an alien who entered the U.S. legally but has since lost his legal status.”
By the way:
I am an American born citizen, retired Soldier, and taxpayer. I’m Irish, Scots, German, and Cherokee. Those of my ancestors who arrived on boats went through Ellis Island. They were laborers, factory workers and farmers. They adopted the traditions, principles, and language of their new country. And they did it LEGALLY. None of them were wealthy. There was no welfare system or government dole to help them when they got here. They endured ethnic discrimination, lived in their own working-class enclaves, and became productive members of American society.
What is happening now is not “immigration”. It’s an invasion. They came across the border, first in a trickle, and now in droves. “Guest worker” policies will not work. All that does is encourage the illegals already here to stay without actually becoming legal citizens. “Guests” are invited and I didn’t send out any invitations.
Along with the so-called “hard working” illegals, we have involuntarily absorbed some of Central and South America’s worst dredges of humanity. Rapists, pedophiles, thieves, murderers, MS-13 gangs and other assorted felons have embedded themselves into the country to continue their crime sprees at our expense.
Illegals don’t intend to become American citizens and assimilate into the culture by learning English and adopting the traditions inherent to American history and society.
There are also radical anarchist groups such as MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán), who have openly stated the intent to cede the Southwestern U.S. to Mexico. That's not an exageration.
The cliché that “foreign workers fill the jobs that Americans don’t want” is patently false. Corrupt employers hire them because it’s cheap labor, they don’t have to pay worker’s compensation, and there’s no Social Security tax to worry about. The employers are finally starting to feel the pinch. GOOD. They need to pay fines and do some jail time for violating the U.S. Codes.
Regardless of what happens with the proposed illegal immigration reform, the border must be secured. There is no choice in this matter, as our survival and national security depend on it. Terrorists have also used the sieve that pretends to be a boundary as easy access to American soil. It will take another 3000 lives before President Bush and the comatose members of Congress and Senate get a clue.
This is the solution: Secure the border with a wall, supplemented with guard towers, high-powered rifles with scopes, night-vision equipment, roving patrols, tracking dogs, and motion sensors. Give the Border Patrol the weaponry they need to do their job. Have the Army Corps of Engineers on hand to seek and destroy the underground tunnels already in existence or currently being dug by South-of the Border thugs. This is not an extreme suggestion, considering that illegal aliens and terrorists, with the support of the Mexican government, have been able to infiltrate at will. The Mexican Army has contributed to this crime by crossing into U.S. territory and shooting at the U.S. Border Patrol. I don’t know what they call that in the Senate, but in my Army we call it an act of war. The Mexican government, headed by yet another of string of corrupt politicians, has yet to fix their country or stem the tide of illegals. They in fact, encourage them. It should not be the duty of the United States and our tax-paying legal residents to pick up the slack for a country that refuses to economically haul itself into the 21st century.
Secondly, the existing immigration system needs an overhaul. A probationary period prior to granting citizenship should be enforced with the following stipulations: Demand that the country of origin provide information including criminal records. NO information, NO entrance. Require immigrant prospective citizens to register with State and local authorities, submit the proper forms when applying for jobs, and attend mandatory English and civics classes. Those who do not comply will be arrested and sent packing with a Federal Marshal escort on the first plane smoking out of the country.
I keep hearing about the “complexities” of immigration enforcement when all it really is laziness and complacency on the part of the U.S. government, which allowed illegal immigration to grow to menacing proportions. We all know that the reality of the government enforcing immigration laws is about as likely as the illegal human sewage making an effort to become legalized citizens.
The time to take action was about 25 million illegals ago, but better late than never.
Sergeant First Class Mac:
THE LAW OF NATURE WILL ALWAYS WIN.
Isn't it amazing how you and I, both equally American, can think so differently about this issue? But debating someone that feels the answer is to shoot anyone that steps over an arbitrary line, is a fool's errand.
Thank God for the nuns and priests at St. Bridget's.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sergeant First Class Mac: What some people of that parish don't understand is that not only the criminals that they support but THEY THEMSELVES are breaking the law ... not to mention that they are stabbing average working class families in their own community in the back!
Also: what they don't know is that the Catholic Church encourages (!) those Illegals on purpose (!) to break our laws by entertaining "safe havens" on their route to the USA where Illegals are provided with food, a shower and legal advice (the Vatican BTW has officially confirmed the existence of those houses and that the Vatican provides the means to run them - exactly the same way the Vatican after WWII helped former SS members [ODESSA] to escape Allied prosecution ).
It is by far not pure coincidence that those "poor people accidentally" end up here but this is calculated by the Catholic Church and the industry.
The reasons for the Catholic Church are
- shortage of priests,
- millions of payments for victims that were abused by Catholic priests and
- that the Church is massively losing ground (abortion, gay marriage, adoptions etc.).
The Catholic Church expects to fill this gap with illegal Mexicans, who are traditionally Catholics (like myself BTW!).
HOWEVER: As a Christian you don't believe in anything Catholic (or any other) priests tell you BUT what the Bible - God's word - teaches you. If they want you to do things that are in opposition of the Bible or illegal, YOU (and they) will be held responsible! The Bible speaks of Satan (the big divider) within the church and condemned antichristian activities already in the young Christian parishes. Don't become a victim of priests who ought to know better! Your "social conscience" [and mine]doesn't matter at all: read God's word, study to understand it, apply it and live according to it. Don't get in trouble by whoever misguiding you. Priests don't know necessarily everything: like lawyers and medical doctors they are human beings just like you!
Nobody wants you to expose those "poor Illegals" to the mob!
BTW: My own family does not donate any money anymore to our diocese since they stated that they are also in support of inviting Illegals here. And I expressively recommend that any Catholic I know does the same! Instead we proudly support organizations who are Pro US law (like selected events in our own parish, the ARL, NRA, Pro-Life and others).
Ah, BTW: disrespectfully calling border patrol and military personnel - that tries to protect the US from potentially infiltrating terrorists planning further 911-style mass murder - "fools" only disqualifies you yourself as ignorant and shortsighted!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sergeant First Class Mac!!! What some people of that parish don't understand is that not only the criminals that they support but THEY THEMSELVES are breaking the law ... not to mention that they are stabbing average working class families in their own community in the back!
Also: what they don't know is that the Catholic Church encourages (!) those Illegals on purpose (!) to break our laws by entertaining "safe havens" on their route to the USA where Illegals are provided with food, a shower and legal advice (the Vatican BTW has officially confirmed the existence of those houses and that the Vatican provides the means to run them - exactly the same way the Vatican after WWII helped former SS members [ODESSA] to escape Allied prosecution ).
It is by far not pure coincidence that those "poor people accidentally" end up here but this is calculated by the Catholic Church and the industry.
The reasons for the Catholic Church are
- shortage of priests,
- millions of payments for victims that were abused by Catholic priests and
- that the Church is massively losing ground (abortion, gay marriage, adoptions etc.).
The Catholic Church expects to fill this gap with illegal Mexicans, who are traditionally Catholics (like myself BTW!).
HOWEVER: As a Christian you don't believe in anything Catholic (or any other) priests tell you BUT what the Bible - God's word - teaches you. If they want you to do things that are in opposition of the Bible or illegal, YOU (and they) will be held responsible! The Bible speaks of Satan (the big divider) within the church and condemned antichristian activities already in the young Christian parishes. Don't become a victim of priests who ought to know better! Your "social conscience" [and mine]doesn't matter at all: read God's word, study to understand it, apply it and live according to it. Don't get in trouble by whoever misguiding you. Priests don't know necessarily everything: like lawyers and medical doctors they are human beings just like you!
Nobody wants you to expose those "poor Illegals" to the mob!
BTW: My own family does not donate any money anymore to our diocese since they stated that they are also in support of inviting Illegals here. And I expressively recommend that any Catholic I know does the same! Instead we proudly support organizations who are Pro US law (like selected events in our own parish, the ARL, NRA, Pro-Life and others).
Cheryl, your contribution made my day! I'm a LEGAL immigrant from (West) Berlin, Germany and without you and your comrades I would never have been able to lead a free life! People like you and I understand that there is a difference between persecution (i.e. of Christians under Communist regime) and prosecution (of people who give a BEEP on necessary and just laws of a civilized nation)!
During the notorious Berlin Blockade we desperately needed your help which you provided us with graciously through the Berlin Air Lift. Imagine: only some years before Germans had killed Jews and Allied soldiers but still you would come to their help during that cold winter. People who sneak in here though uninvitedly and are not seeking asylum but instead disrespecting this great country's culture don't need and deserve help!
I will never forget what American soldiers (the ones that Tony calls "fools") have done for my family and me!!! Thanks again!
LEGAL IMMIGRANT:
You're busy on this blog and it is pretty clear where you stand. Here's where I stand: I think that people willing to break a country's laws in order to feed themselves and/or their family are always going to be difficult, and expensive, to stop. I don't think they should be given citizenship, but a permit to work seems reasonable.
As for my phrase, "fool's errand", I interpret it to mean that I would be a fool to argue with someone that advocates shooting people that cross the border. So I won't.
Again, thank God for the brave nuns and priests of St. Bridget's.
I belong to a club that purchases food in bulk. If there is still a need ( I noticed some of the blog postings seem months old) we may be able to pool our resources and purchase some 50# bags of rice and beans or powdered milk.
Do you think this would still be welcome and used? The most recent article on CNN on line says families are still stuck in Postville.
you can contact me at
bncfeyen@countryspeed.com
I could not find an e-mail address for St. Bridgets.
Carol Feyen, Wisconsin
I am a former Iowan and a Unitarian in Massachusetts, the wife of a legal immigrant, and APPALLED at the coldness of some of the people here who have NO compassion for those in poverty who seek food and jobs to support their family. Telling a three year old that "the government" is going to take care of you will leave that child traumatized for years. Is that your idea of humanity -- ripping the children away, the little citizens of our nation, and putting them in foster care while we deport their moms and dads solely becuase they loved their children enough to seek a better live. You can be law abiding and still have a shred of compassion left in you. I am just disgusted with the lack of morals of some of the cold hearted, MEAN SPIRITED posts here.
Sue H. in Waltham
BTW, I want to add a couple of comments. It is MUCH harder now to become a legal immigrant, especially if you do not have a high school diploma, are impoverished, and come from Latin America. So these people never had a chance of becoming legal immigrants, as did the Irish who fled the famine by the boatloads. Those Irish would have come EVEN if they knew it was illegal because they and their children were STARVING. Anyone who tries to legally immigrate now, and is not from an approved country, with an approved background, will find it well nigh impossible.
Second, this church is not aiding criminals. It is feeding people with nowhere to go and no ability to work to buy food, and no ability to leave the country now. Actual criminals get thier food and beds paid for, while these poor people are essentially imprisoned in Postville with no way to pay rent or buy food for their children. I assure that the black booted INS knows exactly where these horrific criminals are huddled, be they three year olds or just poor mothers waiting to find out when they can be deported.
I find it bitterly ironic that people who call themselves Christians, and who shudder at the very notion of a Jew, Muslim or Lord forbid, a Nonbeliever, are so eager to pick up the proverbial rock and hurl it at the first poverty ridden Hispanic child or Mother they see. People who cheat on their taxes, underinsure their cars, encourage their kids to be looking out for Number One instead of giving of themselves, and who generally don't give much back to society are often the first to hate anyone different from themselves.
Jesus would be disgusted at some of the comments he sees here, which show so much lack of respect or comprehension of his teachings.
I'll stop my rant now. Good luck to St. Bridgets and those in Postville who are acting out the true role of a a Christian.
Post a Comment