I want to thank you Father Bloom for your kind and truthful comments regarding immigration in the United States. I am the child of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States in the early 80's. I myself was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, but have spent most of my life living in the Anaheim area here in California. Raised Catholic, I have always had an admiration for the stance that the Catholic Church has held regarding moral and social justice issues. My parents have worked hard all their lives to provide food, shelter, and clothing for me and my siblings. Sometime the economic circumstances in my house have been difficult, but thanks to Our Lord and Our Lady of Guadalupe the basic necessities have always been there for my family.
I think that sometimes when people talk about anti- immigration policies or immigrants in general, they fail to realize the real human drama that sometimes immigrants go through. My parents never wanted to leave Mexico, but because of economic reasons they felt they had no choice. Fortunately my Grandmother was born in New Mexico, therefore my parents came here legally ready to work and advance their economic status. I am glad to say that my family, including uncles, aunts, and cousins have taken advantage of the many opportunities this great country has offered us. In fact I have members in my family who have received college degrees and have become professionals in our community. I have also been fortunate enough to go to a University, and in fact, this is my last semester Thanks be to God!!!
Now I see my future extremely bright thanks to my family and our hard work. But I think as Catholics we should never forget the less fortunate among us whether there legal or illegal immigrants. The dignity of people goes beyond human laws, and in fact sometimes human laws (legalized abortion) contradict the basic dignity of human beings and their right to life and happiness. I sincerely thank you Father Bloom for your own convictions regarding immigrants (legal or illegal), because the truth is that immigrants do contribute much to this country. As a political science major I have studied this issue before, and have found plenty of empirical evidence that suggests immigrants are good for the country. But beyond empirical evidence, we as Catholics should stand in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters from Latin America, and we should recognize their humility and the hard work they do everyday here in America.
Luis Alberto Ortega