Reader comments
Immigrants 'R' Us, bishop says

DahktaD | 6:48 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Well, the Catholics and LDS have something in common, making a mockery of US law.

OneVote | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Everyone wants to get into the act! First the Mormon lobbyists, then the Catholics, and the Methodists in Chicago took in Flor to replace the dearly deported Elvira. I defend their right to take a position but I can't stand it when they talk about economics. This tripe about illegals being an economic benefit is not supported by data.
The feds do OK with their money but the state and local economies take a beating providing services to those who are untaxed and under-taxed.
Bishop Wester needs to read more. May I suggest the Bear Stearns analysis of 2005? Or Cornell Professor Vernon Briggs. Or Harvard's Samuel Huntington or George Borjas. Or U of Chicago's Barry Chiswick.
Either that or Bishop Wester needs to stick to "love thy neighbor." The same goes for other religious groups.

DST | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

For those acquainted with classic literature or popular theater, here is a reincarnation of the good Bishop Myriel, speaking out for the Valjeans of the world. It makes many of our legislators, and news commentators (see DahktaD), beg a comparison to Javert.

Comments continue below

IM | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Thank you Bishop Wester! I am so excited that you're being so overt about this. It's great to have the LDS Church and the Catholic Diocese mirroring one another on this issue.

Delaware Bob | 9:23 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

"An enforcement-only approach to immigration does not work and is unjust, according to Bishop John C. Wester of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. Instead, the law should be reformed so that presently illegal immigrants have a path to citizenship, he said."

First, a path to citizenship is AMNESTY! Why would you give 20 million ILLEGAL ALIENS amnesty?

Second, the Oklahoma and Arizona immigration laws are working and doing the job that the Federal Government is not doing. This illegal immigration has gotten so far out of hand, that the States MUST help end this problem of illegal immigration.

Third, the problems this illegal immigration has caused is just unbelievable. The cost of all these problems is, well, just overwhelming!

I would like to see all 50 States pass the Oklahoma and Arizona laws. We got about 40,000 illegal aliens here in Delaware. It's time for them to get back to their home country also. I for one, want my Country back. I'm tired sharing it with 20 million illegal aliens that have absolutely here!

GO UTAH!!! Pass a law. I'm working on Delaware.

good ideas | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Finally, we're getting people in the conservative Christian camp to see that immigrants aren't such a big deal after all. The conservative right has been promulgating hatred of immigrants and non-Christians for so long for political gain, that people who otherwise claim to be Christ-like God-fearing people spend all their time spreading more hatred. I'm glad the churches are leading the way in this movement away from hatred and xenophobia.

You might recall another famous right-wing Christian conservative who had similar ideas of hatred of non-Christians, immigrants and people of color: his name was Adolf HItler.

Robert D | 11:07 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The Bishop states, "Half of Earth's residents are in poverty." So does "compassion" demand that we take them all in? If not, then what is the appropriate number? And why favor the illegal immigrants from mostly one country over everyone else? Is that fair Bishop? Your position seems inconsistent, spotty, and sensational. Maybe you should stick to religion and leave the policy-making to elected officials. This is not a theocracy. (Not a democracy either, but that's another story.)

William E | 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Good ideas once again distorts the position of conservatives. Opposition is not to immigrants but to illegal aliens. Illegal aliens have violated US law by their unlawful entry of the country (See 8 U.S.C. 1325) Every nation as part of its inherent sovereignity has the right to control its borders and who crosses them. Illegal aliens should obtain no advantage or profit from their illegal conduct based on a first principle of justice: no one should be allowed to obtain any advantage from wrongdoing.

Anonymous | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

It is STUPID to allow illegal immigrants to work in utah if one illegal immigrant tells other illegal immigrants from mexico they will enter illegaly and find a ride to utah. BUR OTHER STATE ARE RIGHT TO TELL illegal immigrants GO BACK TO MEXICO TO GET GREEN CARD ..OTHER STATE SAY
NO JOB
NO COLLEGE
NO RENT APT
NO GUNS
NOT LET KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL
ETC.................... FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

legalatina | 12:12 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The position of the LDS and the Catholic church on this issue makes a mockery and is offensive to millions of parishioners and members who have IMMIGRATED HERE LEGALLY, often at great expense, and great sacrifice but done so willingly and patiently in order to have the privilege of calling this great nation home. How dare these priests, spew their Marxist liberation theology and defiantly and openly encourage the disregard for secular laws that make our society an orderly, well-functioning place to live compared to the Third-world. What they want is illegal aliens as members and they want their donations...to pay off abuse settlements. Isn't that special?

Armando Solorzano | 12:29 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Thank you Bishop Wester for restauring our long tradition of a "Noble and Kind America." The nobility of our nation and its legacy can be measure by the spiritual status of its leaders.
You might not be very populat but certainly you are the image of a compassionate Christ who open His arms on the cross to embrass the whole humanity.
May God light your path and those of the immigrants.

Think of your ancestors | 2:51 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian.
- Robert Orben

Edward | 4:56 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Why is it that the religious leaders of Utah feel that they have to coddle these people? ILLEGAL immigrants are by definition breaking the law. Why doesn't the Catholic church support the laws of the land? Do they have too much to lose?

joazinha | 7:15 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I MYSELF am Catholic, and yet, as a PATRIOT, I CAN'T buy into ANY of this!

MJB44 | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I wonder what the catholic church's position would be if they had to pay taxes? Illegal immigration benefits organized religion by preying on the vulnerable and desparate. Why don't they help them go home and develop their own countries instead of asking us to foot the bill? How do we start the process of removing the tax exemptions for organizations that don't honor the separation of church and state?

Stop the Exploitation!! | 11:33 p.m. Feb. 3, 2008

For those that think we should grant amnesty, or eventual citizenship to those that are here illegally, I ask them to ponder why these people are currently here. They are here to make their lives better! Those that employ them do not have such a benevolent goal! They seek to pay them a less than acceptable wage, they seek to avoid paying payroll taxes, they seek to avoid paying worker's comp, and unemployment insurance, etc. If we were to make legal all those that are currently here illegal, what do you think their employers will do? If you think they will start paying them legal wages, paying taxes, unemployment insurance, workers comp, etc., then you are sadly mistaken! They will fire their current workers, and hire a new batch of illegals to continue their exploitation! Only until the employers are punished with penalties that are so severe that they wouldn't dare hire an illegal alien, will we be able to end the exploitation! Once this is done, the illegals will deport themselves. If we have a need for more workers, then let's open the doors to those that are waiting to legally enter this country. I welcome those people!!

the everyone | 8:53 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

to everyone who gets on the computer to write a comment on this subject at 4:30 IN THE MORNING..is lame.
LOVE JAKE PENA ARCHBISHOP OHARA HIGHSCHOOL
KCMO
CALLL ME XO

Brittany Williams | 8:48 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

World Peace everybody please lets say it together thats all I want is world peace........vote me for 2025 President

Andy PArk | 8:50 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I just wish all those beaners would go back where they came from!

school | 9:01 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

ya'll are some ignorant people. there isnothing wrong with ppl coming here to make their lives better. what utah needs to be doin is crackin on these street pharmist rolling around. i bet u five that the crime rates would get lower..but oh my bad thats how the government gets there mony

A beaner | 3:33 p.m. April 18, 2008

you say i should go back where i come from, well to enform you, california and many states where mexico at one point in time so if you think about it i am where i come from. Now lets talk about your self.. yea thats what i thought.. so let me tell you.. "GO WHERE YOU CAME FROM" this is my country!!

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