Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

What it is that Tobin and the others don't get - ILLEGAL means that it is not legal i.e. these people are here against the law. If the catholic church wants to affect policy in the nation then perhaps they should become a tax paying entity. When they start paying taxes like the rest of us then thy have the right to decide how taxpayer money is spent. Or better yet, if they want these raids stopped, then let the catholic church step forward and pay to take care of those that are here illegally instead of the state (and the taxpayer). They knew the risks when they snuck into our country and should be in fear that they could be found at any time. As for the immigrant community being "in fear" - if they came into this country the right way then they have nothing to fear, if not then my previous sentence applies. Sorry, butit is running thin that they are afraid, so perhaps it is time for these bleeding hearts to find a new mantra.

I guess it's well past time to revoke the Diocese's tax-exempt status as they have clearly become an unelected political machine.

What ever happned to "separation of church and state?"

I believe the church's role here is to emphasize that in all immigration discussions we are talking about human beings with families, people with goals and lives and feelings just like anyone else's. If you are Christian, you might want to review what Jesus said about strangers being our brothers, the Good Samaritan (who helped someone who normally would have been his enemy), etc.

If you're not Christian, you could back up from your demonizing of undocumented immigrants a bit and think of ways to make the documentation (and, if necessary, deportation) process more enlightened and less.. well, military.

I don't think anyone is advocating lawlessness, but rather a wholesale review of what exactly the U.S. immigration policy is going to be, how to *humanely* process the undocumented aliens currently living here, and how to preserve family and community bonds if possible. Raids where agents swoop in and separate children from mothers (as happened in New Bedford) are like something out of the tsarist pogroms in late 19th-century Russia against small Jewish villages -- terrifying and without nuance or sensitivity.

America can do better than this, and still maintain our borders and regulate immigration. We are strong enough not to stoop to scapegoating and demonization. Give it a try.

I guess the Catholic church should also take the stance that getting a search warrant and busting down doors of drug dealears is disruptive to those families also, separating parents and children and disrupting the lives of the innocent people who live with them. Let's stop enforcing the laws of the land altogether. Then when their is a total collapse the catholic church can take over the country and persecute those who aren't catholics.

I believe that the workplace raids should continue, but that not the workers should take the blame for their illegal employment. This should be blamed on the employer.

The employer should be punished, and the name and identity of the employee should be verified and clearly documented, based on contacts of relatives that do reside here legally. But he should be allowed to keep on working during proceedings. A temporary workpermit and '999' SSN should do it.

An immigrant who is here illegal, but is working, is no trouble or burden to society. He is just trying to make a buck, and make ends meet in this land of opportunity.

I am an immigrant. I am actually a US Citizen now. I came here legal (from day one). And I can tell you how expensive it is to hire an attorney-representative to go through all the paperwork, and the vast amount of time it takes to get everything done.

An illegal immigrant who is working a job for a paycheck, is not an illegal or legal immigrant, or Citizen for that matter, robbing a gas station or convenience store.

An employer has the opportunity to make workspace available for foreigners, thus opening the way for someone to become a legal immigrant worker.

The employer, in my eyes, is at fault here. Not the worker.

When are these people going to realize that the people being arrested are criminals. The illegals have the ability to avoid being arrested in a raid. They are welcome to leave the country under their own free will. I am sure the Church will help them in that endevour. Until that happens, I encourage, if not demand that ICE continue to take all legal action to remove these criminals from our Country. Let the Church fix its own house before it starts sticking its nose where it didn't belong.

Catholic clergy allows children to be raped and hides it. They prach that Darwin was confused as was Copernicus.
Now these fellows want the US taxpayer to pick up the bill for the Illegals?
The Catholic Church should step up and pick the the costs to our economy then they can gripe. Tax exempt staus means no politics as our fore fathers intended.

CKQQQK

Why doesn't the federal government go after the men who are emplyed as priests for child molestation?

Illegal immigrants are human beings. The Constitution says "We the People" not "We the Citizens". Do all of these people on this blog who show their vitriol towards Illegals, go to Church on Sunday or call themselves Christian???

Joe Klass - You forgot to mention that Pope Urban VIII had Galileo imprisoned in the Vatican and later put on house arrest for heresy for spreading his idea that the sun was the center of the Universe and not the Earth. The had him on house arrest for over 4 years in which he went blind and was suffering from a painful hernia and insomnia. It was only then that he was allowed to leave to seek medical advice. The Church locks up people for going against them, they brought us the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the US Church sex abuse scandal, and yet they want to tell other people to be more humane. Hey Tobin you are the kettle....and you are black.

Indeed does the Constitution say "We The People". And the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Country, applies to everyone who lives in this country. Regardless of race, color, gender, creed, religion, age, or anything else that would set you apart.

Wether you are a Citizen, Permanent Resident, Immigrant Worker, Tourist, someone who just passes by, or an Illegal Immigrant, the law applies to you. It gives you rights and responsibilities. Usually more responsibilities than rights.

One of the rights you have is that for a fair trial and due process. One of the rights is also to protect you from unfair imprisonment and hardship. The people who are related to you, and may be dependent on you, for income or parenting, have rights too. Shoving an illegal immigrant worker into a prison, leaving his wife and children - who may actually be legal immigrants - in uncertainty, is not the way to deal with the situation.

Rightfully so, illegal is illegal. But illegal is not criminal. The crime is committed by an employer to hire someone who is not legal in this country. The right procedure for an employer would be to sponsor the person for a legal status employment. The illegal person is following the path of the pilgrims... a better place to live with a future. To find happiness. A right clearly described in our Supreme Law.

Irishmike - you conveniently left off the next four words "of the United States". It doesn't state "We the People of who are here illegally in the United States".

What is lost here is that it is the Catholic Church that is once again trying to foist it's dogma and teachings upon all of us. The Catholic Church and Catholocism in general is a giant farce.

Work needs to be done to rework existing laws through due process if that is what the people want. It is not to demand that federal agents whose duty is to uphold the law of the land be derelict in their charge due to some moral stance of a religion.

My ancestors were immigrants from Eastern Europe and Canada. They came here legally, suffered through the Industrial Age working in coalmines and factories. They clawed and scratched out their existence, did not expect handouts, did not expect the government or other citizens to learn their language or take care of them. Until I see that today's immigrants are willing to assume those rules, I will NEVER back any initiative to give them a free entry to this country. It would be an insult to MY ancestors. That is my moral obligation.

And yes, most of them work, but that is an empty, short list argument. And some of them murder, rape, assault, steal and loaf about.

I like Michael's point above. How about tonight on the way home I rob a liqour store and when I get caught I tell the police I'm the breadwinner and my children will be left home alone..."Let me go officer, be humanitarian about it". Please

It says We the People of the United States, not of the Foreign nation of which you illegally arrived here from. Get with it people. Most of our ancestors came here through Ellis Island and were "documented" and put to work. Alot come now and are put on the system. they broke the laws coming in so they are criminals. Want to come legally, fill out the paperwork, wait for approval and then come on over. They knowingly come illegally (are here for 20 years and still not able to speak English as they don't try to assimilate), get false documents, forge names. This all sounds like fine upstanding citizen material to me. And it is also time for the Church to lose their tax exempt status as they are now sticking their noses in further where it doesn't belong. They keep projecting their political ideals while hiding behind the clothe and the "Words of Jesus". Time for them to start paying like the business thet are.

Ironmike

Probably not for you see not everyone in this state, country or even the world is christian, or desires to be.

IrishMike, last time I checked, the Constitution started with the words "We the people of the United States..." And I do go to church, though I don't see eye to eye with the Bishop on everything. For example, would the church so vigourously defend the rights of a family to stay together if it consisted of a gay or lesbian couple that were seperated during an immigration raid?

Elizabeth,
I hope you have your identity stolen like I did by an ILLEGAL!! I lost 2 years of my life and thousands of dollars. We have laws for a reason; the little boy chasing pastors should stay out of it or start paying taxes. Guess what THERE IS NO GOD, it's all made up by the same scum sticking up for ILLEGALS!!

Maybe the Catholic church should start paying all the hospitals for the unpaid medical bills these folks incur, pay for their food stamps, pay to clothe and educate their children.

Maybe sthey should tidy up their own house....rather than take on the Feds.

IRISHMIKE... it's not that we don't respect illegal immigrants, it's more that we'd like them to respect us, and our country that was built on laws. There are ways in, LEGALLY... take advantage of them.

Since most illegal immigrants are Catholic, I can see why the bishop is concerned. That means less money in their collection plates. I still can't see how the church can stand there and tell our government what to do after all the people who's lives were ruined during the middle ages. Years of oppression, murder and extortion should not be forgotten.

David Elm - YOu are a legal immigrant who has become a Citizen. Congrats and welcome. But you of all people should be furious over the illegals. THey take everything you did, the time, effort and money spent and spit on it. THey say I can have all of the same benefits you receive and not have to go through the process. And you say an illegal doesn't cost us anything, of course they do. They steal identities, don't pay taxes, get free medical, use social services with forged documents. And illegal is not criminal. According to dictionary.com: —Synonyms 1. unlawful; illegitimate; illicit; unlicensed. Illegal, unlawful, illegitimate, illicit, criminal can all describe actions not in accord with law. Illegal refers most specifically to violations of statutes or, in organized athletics, codified rules

""The humanitarian costs of these raids are immeasurable and unacceptable..."

I believe the American taxpayers are fed up with the suckling of these ILLEGAL ALIENS. Just sucking us dry from the BILLIONS upon BILLIONS sent out of this Country every year, not to mention the BILLIONS upon BILLIONS the ILLEGAL ALIENS and their ANCHORS suck up every year from the taxpayers. This to, is unacceptable!

No ILLEGAL ALIEN HAS THE RIGHT TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY! The good Catholic bishops better learn this! If the good Catholic bishops want to help these ILLEGAL ALIENS, get them a one way ticket back to their own country where they belong...along with their little ANCHORS!

The full Preamble reads:
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Who were the people who wrote this? Irishmen, Dutchmen, Englishmen, French, Danish...... people who formed the United States. People who are immigrating today are still forming this country. And that includes illegal immigrants, who under different circumstances would be more than happy to shell out the $7,000 it takes for legal proceedings.

For the people who were so keen on the "We The People", you may have fogotten about the following:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment XIII
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

And #13 is where I once again enforce that the illegal immigrant is not to blame, and should not be locked up. The employer is engaging in slavery.

Slavery was forbidden by law on January 1st, 1863, by decree of Abraham Lincoln. He wrote the law in September 1862. (Many of you, born Americans, didn't even know that.... did you.)

The Catholic church has a vested financial interest in illegals coming here. Especially of Latino origins. Latinos cling to the Catholic mantra and support the declining churches. So you see it isn't for altruistic reasons only. The Catholic church should stay out of State affairs which are controlled by the Constitution of the United States of America. Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Religion!

bishop, WAKE UP!

The humanitarian costs these ILLEGAL, IRRESPONSIBLE PARENTS put on their children is immeasurable and unacceptable in a civilized society

Perchance, I jumped into the comments on the news article where the US Bishops have called for a review of the immigration raids. Boy! There's an awful lot of festering anger brewing here.

Doesn't the 1st Amendment of the Consitution protect free speech? Aren't the Catholic Bishops entitled to free speech in the same manner as the commenters here? Quite frankly, some of the comments in this on-line immigration rant border on the line of good taste and some of them cross over into the "Land of the Moronic."

What does the Diocese of Rhode Island's tax exempt status have to do with a civil discussion on the immigration issue? What do the church's scandal in the Priesthood have to do with issue?

Isn't illgal immigration a civil and not criminal matter?

I'm particularly impressed with whomever wrote that some of "them" (i.e. illegal aliens) murder, rape, assault, steal and loaf about. Guess what, some of "us" do the same thing.

There's a real angry streak running through this State these days.....on a lot of issues. The anger isn't going to solve the problems we face. Thoughtful, reasoned and analytical balancing of the rights of human beings, the rule of law and the freedom of speech, would be a good start. That doesn't appear to be something happening in this comment forum that borders on hatred.

I do wish you all the best of luck

The US Bishops, having failed to police their own staff -- yes, staff, not "holy fathers" -- from unthinkable crimes against unsuspecting children, are now championing the breaking of more laws. I agree with the comments pointing out that the families of ALL who break the law and are imprisoned are "broken up." And we should pay attention to these bishops WHY? By their twisted logic, a married guy with kids who rapes and kills someone shouldn't go to jail because his family will be "broken up."

Tobin's hypocrisy is without parallel. This is the same man who has been closing poor, downtrodden inner city churches left and right because they have been costing more money than they have managed to bring in. Ah, but there is always the second collection to help fund a new parish in Florida or Brazil or Senegal or wherever the Catholic Church thinks the next money-making community will be. This tut-tutting is nothing more than a smoke screen intended to hide their own lack of concern for a growing godless (and penniless) group. It is an insult to our intelligence to hear Tobin talk about humanitarian considerations. These avaricious bishops missed their true calling: they should have gone into no-money-down mortgage lending.

Re Governor Carcieri order requiring contractors with the state to use a federal database called E-Verify to check the immigration status of new hires.ACLU & Church please back off.

This is about the rights of American Citizens and not rights of illegal workers and the illegal act by a company of employing an illegal immigrant worker. Churches you do not pay taxes so is the interest more members at any and all cost? PLEASE look at the big picture and its impact on our state and the marked reduction in opportunity for legal tax paying immigrants and citizens that this mess caused.

The state of RI citizens and their State government requires an intimidate paradigm shift in its legacy and no longer affordable Liberal largeness. Accordingly our State of RI Governor Don Carcieri requires the support of all citizens and elements of state government including our court system more often noticeably silent General Assembly leadership.

This illegal Immigration and associated cost is just one of many actions taken by our Governor Don Carcieri to regain control of the State of RI budget. This particular situation results in a variety of open ended "Free benefits" for a group that is in violation of our national immigration laws. Moreover this group does not pay into our social system via taxes at the local, state or federal level etc. Yes, While costing both the Federal and State government a large amount. The situation also results in our State of RI medical fee structure to become even more expensive for the legal RI Citizens e.g. paying public. Specifically attempting to accommodate our social system increased cost associated with these illegal free loaders.

Typical is this negative and obstructive behavior experienced for this and the several other actions identified and attempted by our Governor to reform and reduce the cost of state government and control the annual budget. Yes, the loud cry form our state government entrenched bureaucrats, over paid state employees and even court system that seems to embrace a continuation of a Liberal agenda Largeness! Yes, regardless of the States tax payer rapidly receding base and companion lack of affordability to any longer subscribe to these defective social engineering platitudes.

Please understand that this particular illegal immigration situation takes very scarce tax dollars away from public works projects, school aid and those legal state of RI citizens requiring the helping hand provided by our social system.

The situation and subsequent solution for this particular topic of immigration status is crystal clear. Moreover the solutions to reforming the cost & size of state government and defective day to day operation has been identified and is as well crystal clear.

We must all more often embrace our Governors agenda to reform the associated operation & cost of our state government. This requires an understanding of the necessary management policy changes e.g. Laws modification where necessary and change in companion state government operating policies and procedures.

This new spirit of cooperation is required to cause the over due reform & subsequent implementation.

Again - the state of RI citizens and their State government requires an intimidate paradigm shift in its legacy and no longer affordable Liberal largeness. Accordingly our State of RI Governor Don Carcieri requires the support of all citizens the state government apparatus and our noticeably silent General Assembly leadership.

Today's budget short falls is just one of the symptoms of a long standing collection of passive aggressive actions, including this apparent ACLU PR stunt, that have undermined the viability and effectiveness of State Government and contributed to a set of counter productive economic conditions