Sioux City Journal

Religious leaders want immigration raids halted

Posted: Friday, December 22, 2006

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Religious leaders from Omaha and Grand Island called Thursday for a moratorium on immigration raids until the federal government enacts sweeping reform.

Their plea was in response to last week's raids at Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in six states, including Nebraska.

At the Grand Island plant, 261 people were rounded up. At least 15 workers were indicted on charges they used someone else's identification to get jobs at Swift.

The Rt. Rev. Joe Burnett, the bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Nebraska, said the current immigration policy "forces millions of undocumented workers into an underground existence."

He and other church leaders said the United States needs to devise an easier way for workers to enter the country legally and create a process for illegal immigrants to gain residency.

Story Comments

illegal y que wrote on Dec 28, 2006 6:22 PM:

" I am very sad that all you people think this way, and I am also sad because a person that is illegal like me can write proper english unlike many of the above. Let me ask you a question....why are they so many homeless AMERICAN CITIZENS roming around the U.S.? It is hard to believe that a legal person would rather roam the streets begging for money than get a job picking vegetables in a field. An illegal person has no documents but can still get a job no matter how hard or backbreaking it is!! They are no afraid to sweat and bleed in order to work. If illegals left what a sad world it would be for you guys. Keep posting your comments it doesn't bother us. One day you will be n tears. "

Bren4824 wrote on Dec 24, 2006 11:23 AM:

" I agree with the majority of posters here. The US and US citizens are not morally or financially responsible for Mexico or its citizens. These people are not eligible for any rights/benefits in this country--they are not citizens!! The only thing that they are entitled to is to be treated fairly and humanely until they are deported!! They need to fight for rights/benefits in their own countries, not here. If the religious institutions want to help, they need to help them fight for rights in their own countries, not here!! Why aren't they telling their illegal members that they should not be popping out kids one after another that they cannot afford. Why are they not telling their illegal members that the church frowns upon promiscuous and out of wedlock activities? The religious institutions should not be meddling in political issues, which is why they are given tax-exempt status. We all need to contact our representatives---take away the tax-exempt status of religious institutions until they discontinue meddling into political affairs/situations in this country. "

Norbert wrote on Dec 23, 2006 11:03 PM:

" Stop immigration raids? Where were these religious leaders when INS raided the home of Lazaro Gonzales of Miami, FL to get then six year old Elian Gonzales and send him home back to Cuba with his father? Why didn't these religious leaders offer to offer Elian and his father a home here in the USA? Is it because these religious leaders like the President and the Attorney General at the time are nothing but a bunch of Socialists? I hope not. "

keanolo wrote on Dec 23, 2006 10:29 PM:

" The Catholic church and all churches of any denomination should refrain from involving themselves in the illegal alien immigration issue. If they do not, their tax exempt status should be revoked. They should concentrate more on keeping their priests and ministers from molesting little boys and girls. How hypocritical for the Churches to involve themselves in an issue that involve people who have no right to be in this country and committ crimes with impunity. "

Loretta wrote on Dec 23, 2006 5:40 PM:

" I agree with the previous writer, follow the money! I wonder if church officials would be so vocal if those people were jews or atheists. .....and how was it again? We must keep church and goverment separated! Right? Those church officials who interfere with our laws should instantly lose their tax exemption. You will see how fast they shut up and do not allow ILLEGALS use the church as a safe heaven from ICE as it was done and permitted just recently in Chicago. "