Dear Folks,
There has been a lot of conversation about immigration and how to deal with immigrants. There has been a lot of criticism, but I’m not seeing things move toward a solution. It’s very easy to attack what others are doing and easy to repeat general principles, but harder to come up with practical solutions that others can criticize. I think if we really want to make the situation better, we would focus on some basic questions:
1. How many people should we let move into the country? (and if the answer is, “as many as want to, even if it’s a billion,” then it is only fair to say that out loud, and then deal with how do we plan to absorb so many people). People dedicated to helping others generally learn to be able to help long term, there must be some boundaries, trying to be generous but recognizing our limitations.
2. If we believe in any limits, how do we prioritize who gets in and how doesn’t?
3. How do we vet them/screen them (especially to screen out terrorists, drug dealers, violent criminals, human traffickers and the like)?
4. How do we care for them while they are going through the process?
5. How do we encourage people to come in according to our laws and discourage people from breaking our immigration laws?
6. How do we deal with those who have violated these laws (wanting to be humane but wanting to disincentivize law breaking).
I think if we start with these questions, we can move the conversation in a more productive direction. I think we should avoid accusing others, but serious ask ourselves, “Am I really interested in improving the situation, or do I just want to attack people I don’t like?” Working together, I think we can accomplish a lot.
Blessings,
Fr. Jim