I believe my concern about mass immigration, especially of the illegal and unregulated variety, is driven by fear.

I am afraid that the USA will become like the countries of origin in which I have lived: Brasil, Chile, and Mexico none of which I want to become a citizen.

The immigration level is so high and quickly pace that I am not seeing integration into our culture (laws, language, educational priorities). Nor do I see the desire by the Church or other institutions to force the issue of full participation in society as something more than needy victims (see Latinos in the linked essay).

Further, I think that it's an injustice to encourage people to leave their homeland and culture.  Both things the church and others within and without the USA promote.

It is irrational to shift millions of people from one patch of land to another.  Each country needs to function for its people and that includes  the Latin American ones. 

I love ladybugs by the way. I refuse to vacuum them up. At this time of the yr. I just let them walk on the ceilings and the fixtures. They are a gardener’s best friend.

Disregarding illegality will position all of us in a Mexican Standoff.

Lonely are the Brave was a movie and perhaps a book, no doubt that applies to you. 

I certainly welcome the immigrants to our fold. I just don't want to find my neighbor sitting at my kitchen table, with the cubbies open when I get home from work. Wasn't it the mother of soul, Aretha Franklin who sang R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

Ladybugmaria, please answer my question…it was a serious one; and you dodged it.

The rule of law exists because we are all created in the image and likeness of our creator.  It protects the very dignity of all individuals.

Regarding firstborn vs foster child, please read the sentences that follow that comment.  It is a zero sum game and the Church in her wisdom has set up geographic regions as parishes within a diocese  in order to more effectively minister to the faithful.  (In the Arlington Diocese, when I lived there 20 years ago, illegal parish jumpers weren't even allowed to receive CCC or sacraments in a parish outside their neighborhood boundary.)

Finally if you want a civil discussion, please don't bait me.  I'm usually a sleep deprived lunatic….and Goral is my only friend in the world, so I'm glad he posted again…..I'm looking for an invite to the Platinum Wedding of his daughter…….for me and my brood!

You're looking for more civility and I'm looking for more stridency, which means the tone of this thread is just about right.

do you have any policy suggestions to go with your sound bite?

Beate: what comes out of the mouth of a bishop here or there doesn't quality as social doctrine of the Catholic Church. Wholesale amnesty has already failed and open borders is creating chaos in regions around the country.

Also, Mother Theresa described the USA as one of the poorest nations on earth.  She was refering to spiritual poverty of course.  Given that the US bishops have been unable to meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of the children within their own diocese, how can they care for the children of another bishop?  Do we thrown away the firstborn for the foster child?  This is a point that truly infuriates me as our parishes explode at the seams and a priest doesn't even know the names of my children after 10 years of membership in a parish.  Yet that same priest must now minister to hundreds of illegal spanish speakers:  down to finding rides to work! 

What we need are real political solutions in this country and countries of origin. They should be made under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I believe the Church teaches one must obey the laws of a nation. Defining and defending ones border is a matter of national security and a right recognized by both popes mentioned by you.

I don't know that statistics bear this out, especially because the increase in broken and disfunctional families also increases the likelyhood of irresponsible sexual behavior which includes contraception and abortion.

On the other hand the fine, upstanding and economically comfortable families have given us a healthy abortion industry up to now.

There are parables in the Scriptures about the less likely person or group actually advancing God's will better than the chosen ones.

I would not dismiss this paradoxical logic but the legality issue still has to be handled correctly to preserve the achievements of a civilized society and the rule of law.

If you break the law, you go back to Mexico.  If you come in illegally, you go back to Mexico.