Illegal Immigration And The Catholic Church

I am a Catholic. I am also, however, against illegal immigration. I believe that we should clamp down harder on illegal immigrants and we should do more to protect our borders. Churches, whether they be Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or other, however, have a different duty, in society, than governments, police departments and citizens. A church's duty is to help people without regard to the person's past or current standing.

After an interview with Cardinal Mahony of the Catholic Church, the Los Angeles Times reported "In an interview on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Mahony said he planned to use the first day of the Lenten season to call on all 288 parishes in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, the nation's largest, to fast, pray and press for humane immigration reform. U.S. Roman Catholic bishops support proposals for a guest-worker program, legalization of undocumented immigrants and more visas for migrants' families.". The Times further reported that "In his most forceful comments to date, Mahony said he would instruct his priests to defy legislation -- if approved by Congress -- that would require churches and other social organizations to ask immigrants for legal documentation before providing assistance and penalize them if they refuse to do so. That provision was included in the immigration bill recently passed by the House of Representatives; a similar proposal is in the version that the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to begin debating this week.".

Cardinal Mahony stated "The whole concept of punishing people who serve immigrants is un-American. If you take this to its logical, ludicrous extreme, every single person who comes up to receive Holy Communion, you have to ask them to show papers. It becomes absurd and the church is not about to get into that. The church is here to serve people.... We're not about to become immigration agents. It just throws more gasoline on the discussion and inflames people."

In a letter to the Times a reader stated "It is time for the Internal Revenue service to look into the Catholic Church's tax-exempt status. It seems as though Cardinal Roger Mahony is getting involved in politics, and I thought that was a no-no."

I disagree with that reader. I don't believe that Cardinal Mahony is engaging in politics. He was not telling his parishioners what stance to take on illegal immigration, he was simply asking (not odering) his parishes to "fast, pray and press for humane immigration reform" and instructing his priests to continue to provide assistance to people without regard for their immigration status.

It is a priest's duty to assist people. To deny a person the sacraments of confession, communion, baptism, last rites, marriage, etc., or to deny financial aid or comfort in times of need, because that person may or may not be here legally or because that person may not be able to prove that he or she is here legally, would be unchristian and against the spirit of the Church. In my opinion, any priest that would deny aid based on immigration status, would not be fit to be called a priest.

Cardinal Mahony also stated that he disagreed with certain new laws and rules being proposed. I disagree with some of his statements, however this country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech, and I believe that he should be able to vocalise his thoughts and feelings, just like the rest of us. His being a Cardinal should not rob him of his right to free speech. He is not, after all, speaking of treason or hate and he is not stating that God told him to make his statements. He is not stating that God will punish those that do not follow his (Cardinal Mahony) wishes.

Cardinal Mahony advocates immigrant rights and I and many others disagree with many of the rights he advocates, however, he is a citizen of this country and no matter what his position or influence, should have the right to speak out on issues that he believes in. Politicians, celebrities, union leaders, billionairs, etc. all are allowed to speak out. Why should church leaders be prevented from speaking out?

Yes, the government should do everything it can in order to stop illegal immigration. No, churches should not be stopped from caring for their flock and they should not be stopped from caring for someone just because he or she may or may not be a citizen or a legal immigrant. The government's duties and the church's duties are not the same.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and currently publishes several internet directories including http://www.resourcesforattorneys.com a legal and lifestyle resources directory for attorneys, lawyers and the internet public. For more lifestyle information see http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com, the Lifestyle directory from Resources For Attorneys.

How Can an Immigration Lawyer Help You?

You may have heard the term immigration lawyer and although you may possess a general idea of what such a lawyer does, you may not know exactly what the job entails. An immigration lawyer is someone who is schooled in the various laws pertaining to immigration. An immigration lawyer is a legal representative that is completely familiarized with the way that immigration laws operate and can help people that want to become citizens to do so.

An immigration lawyer directory can help you find the kind of lawyer you are looking for. In some instances, you can search for a lawyer by state. You may be able to find such a lawyer in the directory of a telephone book, but you will have a far better chance of locating such an attorney through the use of various Internet search engines. Becoming a citizen is not necessarily an easy process and there is a lot of red tape and documentation one must get through before you can become a citizen of a country. Conversely, with the assistance of an attorney the process becomes a bit easier because you will have a skilled legal professional working on your behalf to help you become a citizen.

To become a citizen of the United States you will need to understand what is required of you. A lawyer will be familiar with the Naturalization Act of 1906, Sec 4 which indicates that an immigrant can only become a citizen after fulfilling certain legal obligations. There are certain time requirements, documents, and oaths that are required before one can become a citizen and a lawyer can help you identify your responsibilities and can advise you how to go about fulfilling them. Moreover, an immigration lawyer can assist you in such a way that you do not encounter any problems or difficulties with the laws of the country.

Although you do not necessarily need a lawyer to become a citizen, it certainly can't hurt. If you are lacking in the understanding of various immigration laws, a lawyer can assist you with such difficulties and clarify your situation for you. When you have questions you may want somewhere to turn for answers and someone possessing an understanding of the law may be particularly helpful in questions pertaining to immigration. Moreover, the complicated application process can be made an easier task when you have a competent and reputable lawyer to assist you with filling out your required applications for a student visa, visa, and/or citizenship.

If you are really serious about becoming a citizen, you may feel far more comfortable with a legal representative on your side working on your behalf. Without a lawyer to assist you, any immigration dilemmas that arise may prove to be frustrating. Ultimately, the more serious you are about being a citizen, the more seriously you will consider your options. Keep an open mind about your options and consider hiring a competent lawyer to assist you in your citizenship endeavors.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Immigration Lawyers

Stupid Immigration Laws

My mother-in-law died last night in Belgium. Under normal circumstances, I would leave for Brussels tomorrow night, to attend the funeral on Saturday morning.

Circumstances, however, are not normal. In fact, they are rather brain-dead. Immigration Policies in the EU do not permit long-term Visas, and I have an Indian passport, so I need a visa for Europe, and my Schengen Visa has expired. There is no Belgian Consulate in San Francisco where I can walk in and get a visa today. The nearest consulate is in LA.

It made me think, how come, in this age of electronic communication, we cannot tackle situations like this without physical exchange of documents?

It also made me write an email to Mr. Ronald De Langhe, Consul General and Ms. V?ronique Marounek, Consul:

"Your laws, dear friends, are impractical and inhuman. In this day and age, with electronic communication of the utmost advanced calibre being available to us - it beats me why you cannot accept documents like bank statements, emails from family in Belgium confirming the news of the death, and payments by credit card. You have issued me a visa before. You have me on your file. Why can't you let the immigration in Belgium know that a person with such and such passport number is to arrive on such and such date, to attend a funeral? Why can't they check the passport number, while you check the electronic documents on this end? I need to take a plane tomorrow, and you don't have a consulate in the San Francisco area ... I do not have the time to send you the documents physically, because I will then miss the funeral.

Your laws and systems are outdated, and obsolete. You can tell me that the laws of no country allow for a visa to be issued without the passport being physically available. Well, my response to that then is that ALL immigration laws are outdated and obsolete. You should ALL look into what you are doing with a magnifying glass, study the progress of modern communication technology, and make a collective decision to join the march of human civilization."

A lady from the Consulate called me back this afternoon to offer me condolences, and to acknowledge my letter.

Who knows, however, where the immigration reforms stand? I wonder if they even know how to spell technology!

Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Sramana Mitra writes about Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Emerging Technology, Market Moves, and sundry other topics in her Blog "Sramana Mitra on Strategy". Read more of her writings at http://www.sramanamitra.com.

Immigration-Canada Business Immigration Is Economy Booster

Canada's Business Immigration Plan is a plan started by the Canadian Government to attract experienced people with money in order to boost the Canadian economy.

Prospective immigrants must have a net worth of at least $800,000 and must make an investment of $400,000 in the Canadian economy.

There are 3 classes of Business Immigrants, each with separate eligibilty requirements.

Investors The Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) wants to find experienced business persons and their capital to Canada. The Immigrant Investors must demonstrate business experience and a legally obtained minimum net worth of CAN $800,000, and must make an investment of $400,000 in the Canadian economy. . Entrepreneurs The Entrepreneur Program is searching for experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate business experience and a minimum legally obtained net worth of CAN $300,000, and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.

Self-employed persons The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either (a) relevant experience that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or (b) experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

The province of Quebec operates its own immigrant investor program. All investors in the Quebec program must both be destined to live in Quebec and selected by Quebec. Between 1986 to 2000 most Business Immigrants were from Hong Kong, 7,678 or 39.91% of the total number of Business Immigrants.

How effective has this program been in creating jobs and in bringing investment to Canada? According to Statistics Canada 2000 figures were; full time jobs created 1832, part time jobs created 918.

Canada has an underpopulation problem and has found itself in the same situation as Japan and many European countries. It should actively promote immigration because there is a diminished fertility rate just like in most European countries and Japan.

In Japan things are so bad that only 14% of its population is under the age of 15.

One solution, starnge though it may sound, is to end abortion. Some observers say that if abortions in Canada halted, the population numbers would be above replacement levels within a year.

At present there are 3 categories of Immigrants to Canada: Skilled Worker: This category is for professionals and skilled tradespeople with at least one year of continuous work experience.

This class is the most popular class and is also known as the professional class or skilled worker class and the application is assessed based on a point system. An individual should make an application under this class if he/she wishes to come to Canada based on his/her qualifications, work experience and knowledge of the English or French language. Special provisions apply for immigration to Quebec

Business Class: This category is for managers and business owners with high net worth, and requires an investment in Canada.

This class is also known as the business immigration class. One should make an application under the entrepreneur class and self-employed class if he/she wishes to start a business in Canada. A person should make an application under the investor class if he/she DOES NOT wish to start a business in Canada.

Family Sponsorship: This category is for citizens and permanent residents of Canada who want to sponsor a close family member.

Pierre Trudeau changed Canada's immigration laws and opened wide the country's doors to Africans, Asians and West Indians as part of an attempt to fill its huge, underpopulated hinterland.

The result is that today eighteen percent of the population is now foreign-born compared with about 11 percent in the United States, with little or no debate over whether the effects of such change in culture, demographics and national identity is good or bad.

Only in the last 10 years or so have Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, with one third of the population, become multicultural polyglots, with the towers of Sikh temples and mosques becoming mainstays of the skylines and cuisines and fashion becoming concoctions of spices and patterns that are in the vanguard of globalization.

One of the advantages of this cultural diversity is that the population has become more like Europe and has become more tolerant of different views than the United States. However, gun-related crimes in the major cities are increasing at an alarming rate.

Frank Hague is very interested in Business Immigration http://business-immigration-attorney-fees.info http://www.facts-of-starting-a-small-business.info