JESUS AND THE ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

Hear the words of a Christian and a Resident of Southern Arizona

By: Carlos Solorzano

 

If one were to say that a lot of mud is being hurled in this debate that would be an underestimate. The reason that is true is because no one wants to look honestly at their own position but wants to tell those on the opposite end of the discussion why they are wrong.

For me it's not that simple.

I am Hispanic and I am also a proud American citizen. As a responsible citizen I applaud my governor for wanting to protect her people. As a Hispanic I am concerned about the people that come from my homeland as their struggles remind me so much of my grandparents from both sides of my family that came from the land of Mexico .

As a Christian, I am commanded to love all of them!

So I would like to imitate my Lord and do what He did best in the Gospel, talk about it all! However, it is not my intention proselytize anyone. I will not state my position on this issue in this article but I would like to bring up perhaps the things that other people are too afraid of saying.

 

For Those That Don't Live In Arizona

I know there is violence in your home state and I pray for your struggles as well. But we are living with a major drug war going on right now and Governor Jan Brewer took an oath to protect her people. President Obama admitted that the federal government hasn't done enough but those words do not protect our citizens. Arizona needed something done a long time ago and unlike many of our civic leaders Governor Brewer did something other than point fingers.

 

For States That Want To Boycott Arizona

I applaud your willingness to recognize the humanity of the migrants, regardless of their ethnicity or national origin. But are you content with an economic system that thrives off the exploitation of cheap labor? If that not also a racist/elitist way of thinking? It seems strange that on one hand you want these people to continue to be able to stay and work in this country but you're also willing to allow their employers to continue to pay them sub-standard wages. If they are coming to America for work and/or a better life then why won't you fight for them to have a just wage and benefits? One could argue that you're not as generous as you appear.

 

For Those That Simply Want The Law Enforced

Is it really that simple? If so, then do you want consistency? Fairness? Great, then why aren't you outraged at the number of corporations and business owners that hire illegal immigrants just so they can pay these sub- standard wages? Some say that even our Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi hires migrants to work at her hotels, restaurants and vineyards. If you want migrants deported then you should be demanding that these business owners and corporations be shut down and put in jail for breaking the law, too. Look carefully. You'll see many of them on the news actually complaining that their labor force has been taken away right after Border Patrol has departed the scene when they should be thanking God that they were not arrested. Is this justice?

Further, you're also going to see even more families separated by law enforcement. Don't forget, not all migrants leave their families at home. Many of them bring their families with them so if the parents are arrested for entering the United States illegally then they will see their children taken away once they get into the police car. The question then becomes, what happens to these children?

 

 

For Hispanics Throwing The Race Card

Are there non-Hispanic Americans that are racist and simply want to rid our nation of illegal immigrants? Absolutely! However, would you be so outraged if the majority of the people being targeted and profiled didn't look like you? If not, then one could go as far as saying that those that oppose your stance are not the only racists in town.

 

For Those That Don't Want To Be Profiled

How do you think homeland security protected this country after 9/11? Sadly, by profiling Arabs. But you are not admitting the fact that many Hispanics have already been profiled. Gang activity, graffiti, drug trafficking, lack of assimilation in American culture, etc have made it hard for American born Hispanics as it is and has caused many people to form negative opinions of Hispanics. When we as Hispanics accept this type of behavior it doesn't help the cause. And right now, look who is being hurt the worst? The ones that protestors are actually fighting for.

 

For Mexican President Felipe Calderon

Where is your leadership? Are you not disturbed at the fact that your people want to live illegally in another country rather than stay home? How do you feel about the way your country treats its illegal immigrants? With that knowledge, do you have a right to criticize the United States for its policies? It's time for leadership, not politics. Don't just ask the Americans to cosider the humanity of youor people.

 

For Those That Fear Drug Trafficking

We know that answer to that one. Just say no!

 

Issues like this one make me realize the challenge of the Gospel when Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and pray for our persecuters. However, sometimes when we look at an issue completely, we realize that we are not so different for others. Maybe that was what Jesus wanted us to see when he commanded us to love those that were the hardest to love.

And, if we look carefully, that is the answer to this particular problem.

To love.

 

CARLOS SOLORZANO has a BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach. He is also the author of the novel Through Time & Eternity and the newly released Marian devotional I Am His Mother . He teaches theology at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson , AZ.