Pope Leo has asked our bishops to stand together strong along with him, on behalf of immigrants. Clearly he intends Trump's roundup of those who entered illegally but have not committed crimes here. As a political conservative, I see that bishops have no competence or charism for politics and policy. They err when they intrude, with the best of intentions of helping the disadvantaged, into complex matters with multiple dimensions and consequences. They needlessly polarize, including setting themselves against those with different views. They dilute their actual authority in faith and morals.
They teach on morals but not policy. When there is a clear, substantial social evil, they must speak out strongly. Examples: the Civil Rights movement, abortion, right of workers to unionize (e.g. farm workers), a reasonable safety net for the poor, religious freedom, and blatant injustice. Does this current deportation reach that bar of gravity?
I believe it does. This for two major reasons, and a number of secondary ones.
First of all, the fear, confusion, chaos and disruption is quite overwhelming. No need to detail.
Secondly, these immigrants technically broke the law, but morally, formally, actually they did not. We know that a law or rule that is systematically not enforced by authority becomes technically, but not actually a rule. Implicitly, authority is approving of the violation.
Imagine: St. Fleckinstein's Prep School handbook forbids chewing of gum in the building. No one reads the handbook. Everyone chews gum. The Dean of Discipline is never not chewing. When he runs out of gum he asks the nearest student. The guidance counselor and the school nurse both give gum to students. There is a lively market for chewing gum in the hallways. A new Dean takes over; he reads the handbook. You are standing at your locker, chewing gum, when the new Dean spots you. He gives you a three day suspension for disrespecting school rules with a warning of expulsion if you chew again. Is anything wrong with this scenario?
For four years our border was open. Biden basically announced upon his election that the laws about immigration would not be enforced. They were effectively voided. This was simply as stupid a policy as one can imagine. (You know, reader, that Fleckinstein rarely uses the s....d word!) Every immigrant that crossed that border "illegally" did so with the clear approval of the President. Biden broke the law by refusing to enforce it. Those whom he incentivized and allowed to cross were in compliance with his policy. For that reason, I do not call them "illegals." Daily I exceed the speed limit on NJ highways by over 10 MPH. In my work and life I probably break a dozen or more rules every day. I am not "an illegal."
There is widespread consensus, even beyond the Right, that Trump did a great job of closing the border and in gathering up the criminals. But arresting otherwise hardworking, decent people is troubling.
A reasonable government maintains a degree of nonpartisan continuity between administrations. For example, an international treaty or policy (nonproliferation, peace, environment, tariffs) is not absolutely binding upon subsequent regimes but some deference to precedent is generally prudent. Otherwise our internal instability will make us unreliable in all diplomacy. Imagine: Trump deports millions and then AOC wins in 2028 and open the borders again. This can get crazy. But in any case, the culprit in this story is the Biden administration, not decent folk who accepted the welcome.
There is a host of other reasons why this practice is unwise.
1. Our economy requires this cheap labor in agriculture, construction, hospitality and elsewhere.
2. Demographically we need more citizens because without immigration in a few decades our elderly will overwhelm our young in their demands for social security and Medicare.
3. For the most part, they are hardworking and industrious, eager for employment, not inclined to depend upon the state or play the victim and identity politics cards. Immigrants in general tend to be courageous, energetic, and ambitious and so enrich our nation.
4. For the most part, they are Catholic or Christian and therefore congenial to our culture, unlike the Islamic incursion into Europe. While they incline liberal politically, they bring strong family and religious values.
5. Immigrants send money home to their families and thus provide humanitarian assistance that is far more generous and efficient than aid from our government.
6. Their immigration is a testament to our nation. They and their children generally are grateful and become loyal citizens.
To conclude: this is the rare case in which I hope our bishops, with Pope Leo, will lean heavily into President Trump: keep up the good work on the border and criminals. Leave the decent people alone. Trump is himself flexible. He can turn on a dime. We need him to hear a strong voice on behalf of all these hardworking families.
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