Dear Editor: Kudos to Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio (Put Out Into the Deep, Feb. 18) for his outspoken and deeply Christian stance on immigrants, whether they be illegal or not.
In the last paragraph of his column, I suspect he anticipates negative reaction from some readers of The Tablet. Not so with this reader. The bishop says it so clearly for all of us to hear the Lord’s injunction, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
JAMES ROSETTI
Toms River, N.J.
Dear Editor: Bravo Bishop DiMarzio!
Bishop DiMarzio addressed the immigration crisis in America. In the hyper-partisan political environment that exists in our country today, he offered a clear-eyed, objective evaluation of the problem, based on facts! It was truly like a breath of fresh air.
Bishop DiMarzio offered a persuasive argument that work is at the root of any solution to improving our system of immigration. He spoke from a depth of experience and involvement with the issue for many, many years. He explained that we cannot have it both ways; enjoying the fruits of the labor of immigrants, but then denying them the same benefits that all workers deserve, such as Social Security and Workers Compensation.
He also addressed two proposals by President Trump, the wall on our southern border and the ban of refugees. He was able to respectfully point out that both proposals are unnecessary.
Much can be learned from the facts that Bishop DiMarzio presents concerning immigration. But even more importantly, the quiet dignity that he exhibits provides a road map for us to try to follow when confronted with complex issues. If we are going to be able to solve our most difficult problems, we need to learn how to discuss issues with reasonable fact-based solutions, without automatically retreating into our partisan corners. We need to learn to listen to each other again.
Bravo Bishop DiMarzio! Thank you.
PAUL CONLON
Jamaica
Dear Editor: Thank you, Bishop DiMarzio, for beginning a rational conversation of immigration. Catholics of good will can focus on different needs, problems and best actions without name calling and shouting others down with talking points.
The U.S. takes in 1,000,000 – yes, one million – legal immigrants every year. According to Pew Research, 51 percent of legal immigration places are reserved for people from South America, 25 percent to Asians, while only 12 percent go to western Europe. We had been taking in 55,000 to 65,000 refugees each year – giving them a stipend, housing, medical, free education at least through college, etc., all paid for by the U.S. government.
Recent news stories mention 120,000 Mid- Easterners now in Australia and 200,000 in other stories, so I guess the numbers in the past few years are much higher.
Candidate Trump first said it didn’t seem right to just take in all the refugees Australia didn’t want, but now President Trump, after studying the issue, said we would take them all but only after careful vetting.
With the growth of Islamic terrorism and the fact that ISIS has instructed terrorists to blend in with refugees, stay quiet and wait, even wait years, to gain entrance into the U.S. before carrying out attacks, new concerns have been raised. New steps have to be taken to keep us safe.
President Trump is focusing solely on protecting America. Seven countries, all identified by former President Barack Obama as being likely terrorist havens, have been slated for suspension of incoming immigrants until better ways of vetting can be put in place. This is reasonable, necessary, and totally within the power of the president.
JANE DONLON
Middle Village
Dear Editor: I am a devout, conservative Catholic and the daughter/ granddaughter of immigrants who came to the U.S. legally. They paid their dues to come here, learned English and became proud American citizens. My mother refused entitlements and worked hard. My brother and I attended parochial schools for 12 years and I have two graduate degrees.
Americans do not hate immigrants: one million come to the U.S. legally every year. Entering the country illegally or overstaying your visa does not make you an immigrant. Disregarding American laws and sovereignty is not to be admired nor supported. I am here to support those immigrants who paid respect to American immigration laws and sovereignty, and I am proud that my family did so.
It is disconcerting and dishonest for Catholics accusing others of not being compassionate or of not being real Catholics if they oppose illegal entry to the U.S., a nation of laws whose sovereignty should be paid respect. Screaming “racists” or “xenophobic” by leftists is both vicious and ludicrous.
Every country has laws to protect its borders, including Mexico. Why is it that the U.S. should not?
ANA A. GARCIA
Forest Hills
Dear Editor: In 1941, immediately after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked the Philippines. From Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing The Rising Sun,” the invasion was planned for almost a decade, beginning with an influx of Japanese soldiers disguised as immigrants. Only later, did Filipino President Quezon discover that his gardener was a Japanese major and his masseur a Japanese colonel.
Seventy-five years later, we have learned nothing. In Afghanistan, not all roadside bombs exploded. Fingerprints were recorded and traced to immigrants living in Bowling Green, Ky.
Is it God’s work to let every immigrant into the country that wants to be here? I don’t think so! Thank God we have a president who is defending us.
TOM HACKERT
Whitestone
Dear Editor: The other day I was in a local stationery store in Glen Oaks Village and I had a discussion with two men named Bill and Bob. There were a number of issues we all felt most troubling.
First, we talked about the immigration issue and all the protests against the deportation by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) of illegal immigrants. The way we see it, the Trump administration is not against legal immigrants for that is what has made America great and still does. But it is opposed to those who come here illegally who have a history of breaking laws here and some who are violent offenders and convicted felons.
Then there is the burning of the American flag at these protests, which Bill and I have fought to defend during the Vietnam Era. Bill said,”If they burned the flag of another country, they would be in a lot of trouble and could face jail time.”
In addition, there is the supposed leaks by the intelligence community which, in my opinion, is illegal. And yet none dare call it treason.
And last week, I spoke to a UPS driver named Ed in Mineola whom I know quite well and he had similar gripes. He mentioned the deportation of illegal immigrants occurred in the Clinton and Obama administrations. Yet no protests took place nor an attack on a president’s policy. Now why is that? I believe there are many more Americans with similar views.
Let the truth set us free.
FREDERICK R. BEDELL JR.
Glen Oaks Village
