Let’s review what we have covered so far. The first principle was that people have a right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families. The second principle is that a country has a right to regulate its borders and to control immigration. This week we are going to discuss the third principle of Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration.
The Third Principle: A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy. It can look like the second principle negates the first principle. But the truth of the matter is that the third principle provides the context for understanding the first two principles. Furthermore, all Catholic social teaching needs to be understood in light of the absolute equality of all people and the commitment of the common good.
The regulation of borders and control of immigration by a country should be governed by concern for all people and by mercy and justice. A nation may not decide that it wants to provide for its own people and no others. A sincere commitment to the needs of all must prevail.
One very sad story when commitments to the needs of others were disregarded involves the 937 passengers aboard the M.S. St. Louis which cruised off the coast of Miami in June 1939. Most of the passengers were Jewish people trying desperately to escape from Nazi Germany. Even though they were in clear danger, they were turned down by immigration authorities, first by Cuba, then the United States, and Canada. Regrettably Anti-Semitism and xenophobia deeply penetrated U.S. foreign policy in the years before the Second World War. For many on the St. Louis, being turned down by immigration authorities was in effect a death sentence. At least 254 passengers ended up in concentration camps on their return to Europe where they perished.
In our modern world where communication and travel are much easier, the burden of emergencies cannot be placed only on nationals immediately adjacent to the crises. Justice requires that the world community contribute resources toward shelter, food, medical services, and basic welfare.
Even in the case of less urgent migrations, a developed nation’s right to limit immigration must be based on justice, mercy, and the common good. It should not be based on self-interest. In addition, immigration policy ought to take other values into consideration. An example of this might be the right of families to live together. A just and merciful immigration policy will not force married couples or children to live apart from each other for a long period of time.
Undocumented immigrants present a special concern. Many consider their presence to be criminal because they arrive without the proper paperwork. Because they have entered the county without legal permission, some with a harsh view regard undocumented immigrants as undeserving of rights or services. The Catholic Church teaches that every person has basic rights and is entitled to have basic human needs met, including food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care. Undocumented persons are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by employers. They are not able to complain because of the fear of discovery and deportation. Current immigration policy that criminalizes the mere attempt to immigrate and imprisons immigrants who have committed no crime or who have already served a just sentence is immoral. We read in the Scriptures that God promises our judgment will be based on our treatment of the most vulnerable. Before Almighty God we cannot excuse inhumane treatment of certain individuals by claiming their lack of legal status deprives them of rights given by the Creator.
An immigration policy that allows people to live here and contribute to society for years but refuses to offer them the opportunity to achieve legal status does not serve the common good. The presence of millions of people living without easy access to basic human rights and necessities is a grave injustice.
Finally, it is the position of the Catholic Church that pastoral, educational, medical and social services provided by the Church are never conditioned on legal status. Every person is invited to participate in our parishes, attend our schools, and receive other services offered by our institutions and programs.
Until next week,
Fr. John