Bishops Botch Argument About Immigrants

Deal Hudson

I recently attended a dinner where a Catholic bishop (no need to mention his name) presented the argument of the USCCB (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops) in support of immigrants. 

The presentation was half-hearted, perhaps because the argument is so easily undone. 

The bishop's comments were preceded by a USCCB video of a group of Mexicans trying to sneak across the Texas border.  The video completely romanticized their effort and left the impression that the U.S. and its border guards are villains. 

There was never any mention of the fact that they were attempting to break the law. 

As the bishop was speaking I read through the USCCB packet of material entitled "Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope."  The narrative piles one abstraction on top of another until you come to the following, the crux of the argument, which is why it does not work.

"The Church recognizes that all the goods of the earth belong to all people.  When persons cannot find employment in their country of origin to support themselves and their families, they have the right to find work elsewhere in order to survive.  Sovereign nations should provide ways to accommodate this right." (Emphasis added)

Rights arguments often paint themselves in a corner like this.  I read this section aloud and pointed out to the bishop that it infers "the right to work trumps the right of a country to secure its borders."

He responded, saying it "didn't trump the right of a country to protect its borders," but what else could he say. He was committed to the company line on immigration. 

The "Justice for Immigrants" campaign, a huge financial effort of the USCCB, is based upon many other examples of faulty logic and just plain old bad philosophy. 

I told the bishop afterward that I was sympathetic with the effort, that I was out of step with conservatives on this issue. 

I also told him that I thought the USCCB arguments were part of the problem and that better arguments could be made. 

He could only look at me with a helpless look in his eye.

I understood. 

 

Comments

[Peace]

The interesting thing is the the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that those crossing the boarders should respect the rights of nations to determine laws regarding who can enter.

I think that fact is often overlooked.