Deseret News | Religious groups show support for immigrants

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Religious groups show support for immigrants

Supporter of SB81 | 12:59 a.m. June 27, 2009

I believe Goldsmith, Wester and Tanner and their followers are well intentioned but completely misguided in this matter, becoming part of the problem instead of part of the solution. America is a nation of laws and each of us has a moral obligation to be law abiding for the good of all a shared responsibility. Reasonable, responsible, decent, loving, compassionate people understand this is how civilizations/nations are preserved.

I dont pretend to know what Christ would do; I only know what he did and what he commanded us to do. He not only told us to love one another (this goes both ways) but also commanded us not to lie and steal and cheat (not only unloving but dishonest acts). Yet, that is exactly what illegal immigrants are doing. Additionally, I equate the greedy, dishonest employers who hire them to the moneychangers Christ drove out of the temple.

It is not possible to find more standing for love people than my family and friends; yet, were all against illegal immigration. I fully support SB81. My moral compass tells me its the right thing to do, and I urge others to get behind it too.

Sammy D | 4:11 a.m. June 27, 2009

Churches should of encouraged them to follow the law.

Re: "Supporter of SB81" | 4:23 a.m. June 27, 2009

VERY WELL SAID "Supporter of SB81." Truth, Reason, Logic and Clarity are on your side.

Comments continue below

No problem | 5:21 a.m. June 27, 2009

I have no problem with immigration, I'm the son of immigrants. I do have a problem with criminals.
If they are in this country legally I have no beef with them. If not, send them home and treat them like criminals.
Any bleeding heart liberal that disagrees with me needs to understand that for an illegal to work here they need a social security number. Are you willing to let them use yours? If not, you have no room to argue with my points.
Another thing. If they want to be in America so bad, they should learn to speak english. My family did.

Timj | 5:45 a.m. June 27, 2009

I don't know what Christ did.
I do know what his church does.
Immigration status is no barrier to getting married in the temple, serving a mission (and being sent to a location within the US so there are no Visa issues), etc.
ICE recently arrested an honorable LDS missionary returning home from a full-time mission in Cincinnati. He'd grown up in the US, he knew no other home, and he had been a respected Elder on his mission. He was arrested at an airport, so now the church is having missionaries who are undocumented immigrants avoid airports, usually by arranging for someone to drive in and pick them up to take them home.
ICE should focus on those immigrants who are actually dangerous, and not focus on arresting harmless missionaries or tearing apart families.

Manipulative press | 5:58 a.m. June 27, 2009

Why is the news media and press trying so hard to manipulate the news and our laws? There is no reason for news media to use such subversive reporting to encourage illegals to break our laws. The only reform america needs in immigration is enforcement of our immigration laws. These illegals have not earned or deserve any respect and none given.

Then these religious groups seem to have a problem with morality and our laws. No real american supports the illegal aliens or illegal foreign nationals breaking our laws and running rampant throughout america scavenging and stealing from the american people. Religious groups giving aid to illegals should all be charged with breaking our laws also. If these religious groups are so sympathetic towards mexicans, why don't they go to mexico and help them in their homeland instead of encourage breaking our laws? This scourge of illegal mexicans in america has done enough to our economy and deserve only the harshest punishment.

Pat | 7:12 a.m. June 27, 2009

This empty-headed mob mentality to influence results of implementing the LAWS of this land are, in a word, disgusting.
The female Episcopal "Bishop" is either just another trouble-maker (and there are many... whose "job" it is in life to simply stir up trouble against our laws) speaks of "beliefs", "hopes" and "values"? She has none of those atributes when it comes to honoring our country`s LAWS, battle-scared freedoms won and VALUES pertaining to running a country with basic fairness to CITIZENS! Let us hope and pray that these mob-scene attention seekers go home, read history and seek their empty-headed attention elsewhere....OUR COUNTRY HAS TO PROTECT ITSELF FROM LIARS AND CHEATS TRYING TO SKIRT ESTABLISHED LAW ! PERIOD!

Paul | 7:26 a.m. June 27, 2009

I wonder if we can get the Salt Lake police chief to raid a few churches, in the search for illegals...

(I know, I know - I'm not even sure he would raid a 7-11)

Realist | 7:52 a.m. June 27, 2009

Of course we should treat illegal immigrants with compassion. However, that does not mean we should ignore the fact that the influx of illegals places an enormous strain on our our local, state and federal legal systems and welfare systems. We should be removing incentives for illegal immigration and creating barriers to illegal entry.

Delaware Bob | 8:10 a.m. June 27, 2009

STAND TALL, UTAH! You have done the right thing in passing your Immigration Law. Now, ENFORCE IT!

Many States will be following you. An end MUST come to this illegal immigration and it can't be with AMNESTY for 20 million ILLEGAL ALIENS.

If these religious groups really wanted to help these ILLEGAL ALIENS, they should take up a collection and get the ILLEGAL ALIENS a one way ticket back to their own country where they belong.

NO ILLEGAL ALIEN HAS A RIGHT TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR ANY REASON!

jme | 8:19 a.m. June 27, 2009

Are you (Supporter of SB81 and Sammy D) mormons?

jme | 8:31 a.m. June 27, 2009

Are you (Supporter of SB81 ans Sammy D) mormons? Because I would have something to explain about how LDS Church follows the law in Latin America.

Himself | 8:46 a.m. June 27, 2009

Christ does not see borders.

Mimi C | 8:48 a.m. June 27, 2009

Sammy D.

President James Madison said "To promote any religion is outside the proper scope of limited government."

You must not of been present to hear the arguments presented by church leaders during the gathering!!!

No one said at any time that people should not follow the law. It is a call for the equal treatment for all!!! i.e for people to be treated with dignity.

Reading the following quote is from the Unitarian Universalist Association: "Standing on the Side of Love (SSL) is a public advocacy campaign, sponsored by the Unitarian Association, promoting respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Standing on the Side of Love will confront issues of exclusion, oppression, and violence based on identity. Based on the aspiration to create beloved community, the campaign will pursue social change through advocacy, public witness and speaking out in solidarity with those whose lives are publicly demeaned. All people, not just the Unitarian Universalist, are invited to stand, speak, worship, march, roll, and live on the Side of Love".

Peace

Don | 9:09 a.m. June 27, 2009

I am willing to move my business to Utah if I can have the following free benefits for my employees, all of which are Citizens. As incentives the State of Utah should give us, no personal taxes, entirely free medical, free education and advance education as well, immunity from prosecution, all our housing expensives covered, all food expenses paid, and exemption from all Federal taxes as well. Now the reality is even if we were to offer 200 or 2000 jobs to the State they would say no! But this is exactly what the illegals get and the employers who employ them! This results in less taxes, poorer schools, over run hospitals and additional burdens on police, fire and other services with nothing being appreciated. Then people wonder why business owners want to move operations over seas!

bill | 9:55 a.m. June 27, 2009

The Hopi see us as illegal aliens. They have been waiting years for us to do the right thing: pack up and leave. I would say we all get legal with the Hopi then we might have some right to see others as illegal aliens.

Postive Realist | 10:42 a.m. June 27, 2009

Many misinformational emails go out and first you should check the figures on snopes.com to verify if they are true or not because most are not but have some truth and many lies. Undocumented people pay gas tax, sales tax,food tax, cig tax, and in a majority of the cases work using false SS#s and all that money goes into the gov coffers and adds up to billions of dollars a year. The S.Court recently ruled that it is not criminal to work using a false #. It is a proven fact that undocumented people put far more into the economy than they take out, this comes from a recent TX study that was done. When people talk about upholding the laws they need to understand that being here undocumented is the equivalant to a speeding ticket. Do we round up all the people that have had speeding tickets and put them in tents because they are LAW BREAKERS? We need to be reasonable and reform the immigration laws because kicking out all the undocumented people would ruin the economy and separate families, many of whom are American Citizens.

Scott | 10:51 a.m. June 27, 2009

Bigotry has raised it's ugly head in Utah.... How ironic.

weezie | 11:20 a.m. June 27, 2009

Please ask these illegal aliens supporters what other laws of our country do they give us the right to ignor. If we are such terrible people that does not want illegal aliens here, why do they stay. Illegal aliens are thieves in our country. Go home.

Michelle | 11:24 a.m. June 27, 2009

Think about the kinds of jobs these immigrants take. Fast food service, maids, gardeners, repair, construction- intense labor and low benefit.
Quit your whinning.
Without illegal immigrants Americans would be forced to get their own lazy hands dirty. Who is really in line waiting for the illegal immigrants to leave so that they can scoop up their job washing hotel sheets or trimming hedges?

I would think that living in America, they should learn to speak our language, but look at it from the opposite side too, many foreigners I know can speak multiple languages fluently, while I'm ashamed to say I'm only fluent in our own.

True | 11:25 a.m. June 27, 2009

Illegal is bad.

When? | 11:26 a.m. June 27, 2009

Will people start seeking retribution from the Mormon, catholic and other churches in Utah for their part in illegal immigration. Why are government agencies not being sued for their lack of enforcement. They should be made to pay for the murders, rapes and drug activities by the people that they have encouraged through their coddling.

Where are the lawyers?

TRUTH | 11:58 a.m. June 27, 2009

We are all the same in Christ. Sad to know that it is mostly the Mormons the ones who are the most racist and discriminative of all around here; yet professing love and charity to all. Hypocrites!
Our country was founded on immigratis, if ya'll don't remember. You and i descend from immigrants up in the line. Our forefathers even killed indians for land, yet we are here fighting so that immigrants can't even get a job. Way to go people!! that just shows how "Crhist-like" you are. "Mormons"

Real Truth | 12:07 p.m. June 27, 2009

Illegal isn't all black and white.
Think for yourself instead of blindly following like a lemming.

native american wants a job!! | 3:01 p.m. June 27, 2009

i don't see nobody up there singing for me a veteran who risked it all...carried the dead so they could make it home ...now this poulace is always in front of me a native getting up the ladder in front of me and mine. When i show up to a job i am treated as less than and will be the only one capable of communicating with the boss in english yes i was taught that here in this country , my country, our country. Seems like once again the native american is told to get to the back of the economic bus and given no quarters whatever..now i can see and feel what the great Ira Hayes felt like!

Re: Himself | 3:04 p.m. June 27, 2009

Could you find me the scripture--anywhere--that catches Jesus exclaiming, "I do not see borders!" However, I do remember him explaining to "give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." I think his deeper teaching in that one was to obey the law, and not just to pay taxes. In fact, Jesus' life was wrought with examples of obeying the law, both Rome's and his Fathers. Proof? Haven't some categorized the trial and conviction of Jesus the biggest legal farce in the history of the world, since he was not only innocent of all charges but because his accusers broke almost every law the conceivably could to bring him to trial?

The Jesus I know of from the scriptures not only obeys all laws but asks us when required to walk a mile with someone to walk with him twain.

Re: bill | 3:13 p.m. June 27, 2009

Have the Hopi also asked the Navajo to leave? After all, the Navajo immigrated to their current home some 500 years ago. And of course, many anthropologists believe the Hopi and Zuni to descend from the Anasazi, also a group that did not originate in the American Southwest. So perhaps we should find out from whom the Anasazi descend and where they lived so we can send the Hopi there and the Navajo back to Canada.

But then, anthropologists theorize that the first Americans came from Asia, so maybe all the non-Asians should leave America and go back to where they came. Ultimately though, don't anthropologists say that the first homo-sapiens originated in Africa? So maybe all human beings should return to that lone place in Africa where we all came from and leave the rest of the world to all the animals, who were really the ones here first.

Or, maybe we should just accept that humankind has immigrated across the earth innumerable times, thus making all of humanity immigrants (but not all are illegal-immigrants). I think that argument to me makes a lot more sense then either your argument or my first argument.

Scotty | 3:23 p.m. June 27, 2009

Reading the self-righteous, self-centered, selfish comments expressing indignation and opposition to a caring attitude toward illegal immegrants in behalf of "THE LAW" is srikingly reminiscent of the ultra-conservative (read "Pharasaic") attitude toward the position of Jesus and his response. E.G Matthew 7:15

Re: Positive realist | 3:27 p.m. June 27, 2009

If illegal aliens are paying so much in taxes and even though they chose here to come illegally and start a family here, should illegal aliens be allowed to become citizens? Sounds like, as it is, they're getting screwed royally by us, which begs the question, why then did they come here? And if they become citizens, does that mean they won't have to pay so much to society?

And if illegals put far more into our economy than they take out, why don't we invite the 600 million-plus Latin Americans who don't live here to live here?

Or better yet, why don't all Americans simply flock to Latin America, a place that produces all sorts of people that contribute far more than they take away? Positive realist, find a place in Latin America to live amongst all these producers and I'll be right behind you!

Or better yet, maybe there is a way to really help all of these illegal aliens to life as prosperously as most Americans do, while abiding by the law and remaining in their home country. Perhaps you think this latter choice more reasonable than the former.

jme | 3:39 p.m. June 27, 2009

I know that many people commenting here is mormon. I come from Latin America and I mormon too. The LDS Church had working american people in temporary affairs, in the country where I was born for many years. They had similar requirements as here to get authorization to work and they couldn't satisfy that requirements. What did the Church do? It declared this persons as missionaries saying they didn't receive a wage. This was a lie... because they were not missionaries and they received a wage. I know because I worked with them. Is this following the law?. I don't understand... you can brake the immigration law in my country but I cannot brake the immigration law in your country. I remember that Christ said: "don see the straw in the eyes of others but first see the beam in yours". I hope I don't trouble your testimony with this and don't worry... I still have the mine.

Anonymous | 3:48 p.m. June 27, 2009

native American wants a job!! | 3:01 p.m I'm a white vet. I've come to feel that being a vet works against you in the job market. You shouldn't blame illegals. There are plenty of excuses not to give you an opportunity.

I once sounded like a conservative. I believed anyone could get a job. With over twenty years working in electrical, manufacturing, engineering and with databases: I have yet to find a real job in the Land of Opportunity.

Ken Goddard | 3:51 p.m. June 27, 2009

It is high time to eliminate religion from the tax and corporate codes. Then allow only community associations to include "religions" for the purpose of providing a social outlet for those that need or want this type of situation. Also, require the associations to disburse most donations except operating funds to needy causes within the community. As it is, religion is a racket where the smart ones make a good living off it and the not so smart provide the means. Think of all the forgone tax revenue resulting from "religions" deductions which is in essence being subsidized by the non religious taxpayers.

jme | 4:02 p.m. June 27, 2009

LDS Church leaders have disappointed many Latin LDS. In 2005, A church authority said to many people in a general meeting for Hispanic ...you think that economic problems pushed you here... but no... it was the Lord. The Lord is bringing you to this land for His purposes..... They have said this for years.
Latin immigrants, coming in a legal way, come to improve their already good economic status. Only illegal immigrants are pushed here because of economic problems, therefore they were spoken specially to illegal immigrants when they said this. Now they are giving them their back hiding themselves behind the article of faith 12th... Really bad attitude.
This is causing good Latin LDS are distancing themselves from the church without knowing who to trust in .
.... Has The Lord been bringing them to this country to be humiliated?
Lawmaker and their followers forget that cause-effect law exist. Every LDS forced to go back to their country will speak about this hypocrisy and American missionaries will not be welcome anymore. In fact, they already are speaking about. Maybe Lawmaker need to read the Book of Mormon, 3Nefi 16:7-16.... Don't worry I still have my testimony...

@Timj | 4:03 p.m. June 27, 2009

So what you are saying is that the LDS church is intentionally breaking the law by harboring illegal immimgrants? It is a sad thing, but just because he is an "honorable" missionary, does not make it legal for him to be here. While the tactics used to arrest someone like that are questionable, he should have to follow the same rules as any other immigrant looking to become an American citizen.

Re: Michelle | 4:03 p.m. June 27, 2009

So are you suggesting that illegals are too stupid to do anything other than clean motel rooms, flip burgers, and dig ditches, and they're perfectly content to do so while Americans aren't? That sounds awfully racist. How else than can you explain why anybody would be so content to allow such a large group of people to remain ignorant and dependent on low paying, low skilled work?

Of course, you don't consider yourself a racist. Consider this:

Let's do a poll on all citizens in America that do clerical or any other non-"dirty" work, earning say, between $7 and $10 an hour and ask them if they would be willing to do "dirty" work for several dollars more per hour than their current job. I have a hunch that most would gladly do "dirty" work if it meant more money--I know I would, but we can't because legal citizens compete with people who are willing to work for unlivable wages.

Finally, if Americans are so lazy and illegals aren't, then why do illegals come here; after all, by your reasoning don't they come from economic meccas full of hard workers?

Re: TRUTH | 4:09 p.m. June 27, 2009

Way to take the moral superiority--err--moral high ground. First, you can only assume that Mormons are at the root of all this "hypocrisy," and what do you do to point this out? You angrily jump to a conclusion while disregarding any facts!

Makes total sense to me--decry hate, racism, and discrimination using hate, bigotry, and stereotypes. You should run for political office!

jme | 4:21 p.m. June 27, 2009

Illegal immigration is synonymous of desperation and a consequence of globalizations. Unfortunately every decision taken by your government affects people in other countries. In fact, many decision taken by a person in the USA affects people in other countries. When people here decide to do drugs, they have been the best incentive for corruption in other countries.
Many good people become poor in Latin America because of corruption of others and they decide desperately to migrate to the USA looking for a better economic condition. Sorry but the cause-effect law exists. Are you aware how USA harm economy in Latin America? I have some stories.
I heard you say: USA is defending its homeland fighting overseas. Maybe you should consider illegal immigrants are defending their harmed economy in your country. If the USA used tricks lies to justify an attack to Irak and did it anyway in spite NU rejected the attack... (Because weapons of mass destruction was fake or maybe you prefer to accept that the USA intelligence service is not good enough)... If the USA decided to skip NUs resolution , why cant mexican decide to jump the wall? :):):)

Scott | 4:34 p.m. June 27, 2009

Deport all the speeders too, after all they are breaking the law and risking the lives of others.

All these people on their high horse about the law. What a joke. I'll bet 99% of the self righteouse break the law over and over... Speeding, a little cheating on the tax return??? Come on... Face it. You are upset because bigotry is in your blood... Simple. Come to terms with your bigotry.

GoodGuyGary | 4:41 p.m. June 27, 2009

Is that fair for those who try so hard to be a legal immigrant?

Stewart | 9:28 p.m. June 27, 2009

Lots of compassion from the DesNews and those that Mr. Norlan interviewed for this article. On the other hand there was very little logic. Legal immigrants to the U.S are generally educated and able to contribute, while illegal aliens are generally poor and able to contribute primarily to the wealth of the cheap labor employers. This flood of cheap labor depresses wages for teenagers and other unskilled workers. Illegal alien wages are generally so low that they have to be subsidized by government resources. Don't kid yourself, this is not about what Jesus would do, but it is about cheap labor.

Another issue would be how many people can this country absorb? Some commenting above think everyone should be able to come to the U.S for a better life. Well, that would include about six BILLION on this planet that are poorer or as poor as the illegal aliens from Mexico. I don't think we could handle that many. As for race, Illegal Alien is not a race, but an ethnic group.

St. John | 11:00 p.m. June 27, 2009

John 10:1

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Emma Goldman | 11:24 p.m. June 27, 2009

All of you haters who hide behind your screen names are no better than klansmen who hide behind their hoods. These are people who came to this country because of difficult economic circumstances in their own. Contrary to what most of you believe, there is no "waiting line," no way for just any person to apply for U.S. Citizenship. The hateful people who comment on this forum would probably be the first ones across the border if they were in similar situations.

No I don't think that we have room for everyone here, but there are lots of things we could do to make things better: 1) ICE needs to stop treating the people they round up for deportation like animals, and give them due process. 2) People who spew racism and hatred towards undocumented immigrants need to put their money where their mouth is and stop buying products produced by them (that would be about 90% of the food that you eat.) 3)The U.S. government needs to end NAFTA and the drug war, which cause much of the misery in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Here's the cure Utah | 11:57 p.m. June 27, 2009

Ooooooooooooooooh please, this is the reason why our taxes goes up, because Religious leaders of Salt Lake City, along with members of their flocks gathered at the Gallivan Center to show support for illegal immigrants and their families. Just call ICE and deport them all.

Michelle | 12:18 p.m. June 28, 2009

I am in no way suggesting that they are "stupid". People are complaining that the immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans and I was simply attempting to point out that most high paying and/or desirable jobs in America require literacy and being fluent in English.

I also do not understand your last point, person-who-was-addressing-me-but-gave-no-name-to-which-I-could-refer-to-you-by. You said that "Finally, if Americans are so lazy and illegals aren't, then why do illegals come here; after all, by your reasoning don't they come from economic meccas full of hard workers?" By my reasoning? I absolutely never led you to believe that. Do you really think illegals come here because they are leaving their "economic mecca" of a country??? Some families in Mexico are worse off than homeless bums I see in the park, and not for lack of trying to be economically self-sustaining.

Finally everyone needs to remember WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS. Even the "Native" Americans.

The world is only so big. And guess what? It belongs to us all.

CJ | 7:26 p.m. June 28, 2009

Can we now have a similar meeting for the victims of crimes at the hands of illegal aliens? How about a vigil for the families of kids who were provided drugs by illegals and are now in rehab? Maybe we could also remember those who used to be able to make a living wage until they were displaced by an illegal Mexican who is here freeloading and breaking the law. This is a truly disgusting outpouring of support for the wrong group of people. Lawbreakers deserve no sympathy or support of any kind.

Former "illegal" | 12:03 a.m. June 29, 2009

As an LDS missionary in France, probably half the missionaries I knew were there illegally at one point or another. Although we entered the country with a legal visa, a great many of us didn't keep up to date on our "carte de sejour" paperwork that authorized us to stay in the country.

What did Jesus teach when the pharisees pointed their fingers at him for breaking the law? Jesus showed that higher laws trump lesser laws. Jesus put loving God and loving your neighbor above every other law. And who is your neighbor?

jme | 7:37 a.m. June 29, 2009

hey CJ... victim of crime? ... like chilean students murdered by a stupid american racist on 2009 february 27 in pensacola florida. Those student were very legal....
Vigil?... There are many American people very happy they can buy drug.... Don't blame others if parents of those kids didn't know how to educate them. I have two daughters (18 and 21) and both are against drugs and abort. Stop do drug and drug dealers will leave themselves this country.
"All kind of people there are in the vineyard of the Lord". Or you think American are good and the others are bad like in the movies. Oh please!
Don't generalize, generalizing It sign of intolerance and ignorance.

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