Immigrants: They are blessing
and challenge, not a 'problem'

	Guest commentary  By Fr. Bart Timmerman

I would like to respond to a hurtful letter published in the Sept. 11 issue of the Catholic Herald entitled "problems with illegal immigrants."

I feel very sad for Ms. Spangler, whose comments seemed to go against the dignity of the human person and the Gospel message of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Excessive immigration?

In the letter she expresses the opinion that illegal and excessive immigration should be stopped. I say, "Welcome the immigrant you once were."

She uses several erroneous claims to back up this opinion. She is correct that immigration and border reform is needed badly, but is wrong about immigration and what she calls "excessive immigration."

No 'illegal' people

First, the term "illegal immigrant" is not an acceptable term to be used when talking about a human person. It is impossible for a person to be "illegal." God created the human person in God's image and likeness with dignity and rights.

A person can participate in illegal immigration, but they are not an "illegal person." A person who illegally immigrates to the United States is a person who happens to not have documentation. Those who lovingly minister to our immigrants, the poorest of the poor, call them "undocumented persons."

False misconceptions

Furthermore she falsely states there is enough work in an immigrant's home country. Unfortunately there is a great imbalance of the distribution of wealth in our world, which causes many people to live in poverty. Immigrants are desperate for work. It is painful for them to leave their home and face the injustices in a new country.

To say that Mexicans should "spread out in their large area . . ." and to Central Americans, "learn family planning," shows a grave insensitivity and great lack of respect and compassion. I guess she doesn't believe that "all men are created equal" and have certain inalienable rights like, "justice, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Ms. Spangler is ill informed again when she states that immigrants put citizens out of work. According to the U.S. Bishops, "Well over half the employed Hispanics work at nonprofessional, nonmanagerial jobs, chiefly in agriculture labor and urban service occupations . . . . They are among the last hired and the first fired in times of crisis (The Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment.)"

Finding solutions

Finally, I would like to dispute her faulty logic concerning deadly traffic violations. I know another group of people that are involved in a lot of deadly traffic violations involving alcohol: our young people in high school and college.

Do you think that we should "get rid" of young people? Or should we work to find solutions to this problem in a compassionate way that respects the dignity of the human person?

Welcome all people

In conclusion, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were immigrants in Egypt for reasons they could not control. I'm thankful they were able to survive as immigrants there. (Some do-gooder probably really helped them.)

I am proud to be a part of a Catholic parish where all cultures and people are welcome. When we celebrate the Eucharist in Sun Prairie, all are welcome and there is plenty of room at the table.

Our Hispanic brothers and sisters are a blessing and challenge, not a "problem." The problem is ignorance and prejudice.

Fr. Bart Timmerman is parochial vicar at Sacred Hearts Parish, Sun Prairie.