The News & Topicality Thread

[Del]

+JMJ+

Source: National Catholic Reporter
Link: ncronline DOT org/news/britains-anglican-catholic-churches-condemn-new-law-deport-migrants-rwanda

Britain's Anglican, Catholic churches condemn new law to deport migrants to Rwanda

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April 26, 2024 — Britain's Catholic Church has condemned a government-backed law allowing migrants in the country illegally to be forcibly deported to Rwanda in East Africa.

We don't know anything about this law. And we won't learn anything from National Catholic Reporter.

But we are seeing a tipping point in both Europe and America... a growing mood toward mass deportations.

Yesterday saw this this poll reported on Daily Wire:

Over Half Of Americans Support Mass Deportations Of Illegal Immigrants

Just over half of Americans say that they support the mass deportation of illegal immigrants, a recent poll found as the issue takes center stage in the race for the presidency.

A slim majority of Americans, 51 percent, said that they support the mass deportation of illegal immigrants, a policy that former President Donald Trump has promised if he is reelected to the presidency in November. Support for mass deportations varied widely by partisan affiliation, with 68 percent of Republicans, 46 percent of Independents, and 42 percent of Democrats in support of the measure.

The poll of 6,251 people, performed by The Harris Poll on behalf of Axios [...]

Note that Harris and Axios are not "right-wing" media pollsters.

Modern Americans were generally sympathetic to desperate immigrants, and we were willing to welcome a reasonably generous number of them. Not long ago, Trump was called a racist and a bigot for wanting to control the traffic of illegal immigrants.

Now, 42% of Democrats want to bus hundreds of thousands back home.

Those idiot ideologues who encouraged this policy of uncontrolled migration have overwhelmed and killed the generous spirit of the American people.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

[…]

… Not long ago, Trump was called a racist and a bigot for wanting to control the traffic of illegal immigrants.

[…]

Seems more accurate to say that Trump was called a racist and a bigot because of racist and bigoted policies, such as Zero-Tolerance Policy (ZTP) and Punitive Family Separation.

[Del]

+JMJ+

[…]

… Not long ago, Trump was called a racist and a bigot for wanting to control the traffic of illegal immigrants.

[…]

Seems more accurate to say that Trump was called a racist and a bigot because of racist and bigoted policies, such as Zero-Tolerance Policy (ZTP) and Punitive Family Separation.

You know that racism had no part in those policies. And you know why kids are not kept in adult holding prisons when their parents are arrested. And you know that a number of those kids weren't even with their parents, but they had been kidnapped for trafficking.

Everyone else knows this too. Just as everyone hates being lied to. This is why 42% (and growing) of Democrats support mass deportations.

Do you want to start calling those 42% of Democrat voters "racist" and "bigots"? Do you think that will help anyone?

Your ilk called those Republican voters dirty names, and that's why 68% of them are ready to oppose any policy your thought-leaders support.
----------------------------------

I don't want to see mass deportations either. But if you want to do anything useful to prevent this, you need to point your propaganda at those Democrat leaders and influencers who are too quick to slander anyone who wants to see our borders and immigration policy back under control.

You'd be doing them a favor. You speak their language.

Speaking of racist -- National Catholic Reporter was very upset to learn that Candace Owens was received into the Catholic Church.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: National Catholic Reporter
Link: ncronline DOT org/vatican/vatican-news/bishop-seitz-expresses-grave-concern-over-scapegoating-migrants-2024-election

Bishop Seitz expresses 'grave concern' over scapegoating of migrants in 2024 election [Podcast, Interview]

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Washington — A leading Catholic bishop on the U.S.–Mexico border has expressed "grave concern" that the 2024 presidential race between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump could lead to further demonization of migrants seeking to enter the country.

"I'm concerned about the election period very much," El Paso, Texas, Bishop Mark Seitz told National Catholic Reporter. "It seems that politicians have latched on to immigration as a way to mobilize their bases."

"They found that when they can zero in to a kind of primordial fear that we have of the other, the person we do not know … it raises these very fundamental fears," said Seitz, speaking in an interview for NCR's The Vatican Briefing podcast. "And it can also move them to support the candidate that assures that he or she is going to protect us from those fears."

Seitz, who has served in El Paso since 2013 and is currently the chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee, also said that some Christians "are more formed, it seems, in their thoughts, in their behaviors, by the political sort of thinking than by church teaching."

"They want to make their Christianity fit their political outlook rather than the other way around, and that concerns me also," said the bishop.

Seitz spoke as part of an episode of The Vatican Briefing that also features a conversation between co-hosts Joshua McElwee and Christopher White about the Vatican's ongoing process for the Synod of Bishops and the recent announcement of Pope Francis' plans to travel in September to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

In his podcast interview, Seitz also spoke about recent efforts by the state of Texas to shut down Annunciation House, a Catholic migrant shelter network in El Paso. Asked about comments he made in March about the "militarization" of the border, the bishop spoke of "the criminalization of human beings for being human beings."

"People escaping persecution are not criminals," said Seitz. "They need to be able to find a place of refuge."

"Where do people go?" the bishop asked. "What options do we leave them with? How would you or I feel if we were in a situation where we needed refuge somewhere?"

--> --> LISTEN: Ep. 15 - A border bishop's 'grave concern' [Audio: 30 min]
--> --> Link to Audio: player DOT megaphone DOT fm/SM6769572859

[Del]

+JMJ+

Source: National Catholic Reporter
Link: ncronline DOT org/vatican/vatican-news/bishop-seitz-expresses-grave-concern-over-scapegoating-migrants-2024-election

[...] El Paso, Texas, Bishop Mark Seitz told National Catholic Reporter [...]

I have no reason to discount Bishop Seitz. He has always seemed to be a good one.

But his talking directly with the likes of National Catholic Reporter gives me pause for concern.

For now, I will give Bishop Seitz the benefit of doubt. He is desperate to help the migrant families caught up in Biden's crisis, and likely willing to talk to anyone who will listen -- even if it is a fake Catholic news outlet that is more concerned with Biden's re-election than with the migrant families.
===================================

It is tragic that both Republicans and Democrats are treating migrant families as political pawns. The migrants have no allies in either Party.

The recent poll showing that Biden is losing Democrat voters over his immigration crisis bears watching closely.

My hope is that Trump will be able to rein in the more strident Republicans, resulting in efforts to deport the lawless illegals quickly -- while at the same time, expediting work permits for the struggling families.

The longer that Democrats obstruct our efforts to restore order at the border, the worse this will be for everyone. As Biden has no moral principles to guide him, he just might try minding the border just to save his campaign.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/church-in-uk-and-ireland/2024/04/catholic-agency-calls-on-brits-to-stand-in-solidarity-with-refugees

Catholic agency calls on Brits to ‘stand in solidarity with refugees’

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LEICESTER, United Kingdom — A leading Catholic agency in Great Britain is calling on people to “stand in solidarity with refugees” after reports the government is planning on detaining asylum seekers ahead of implementation of a law to deport them to Rwanda.

Parliament passed the government’s Rwanda bill earlier this month, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it is “a fundamental change in the global equation on migration.”

Plans to forcibly and permanently transfer people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, without first examining their claim, were initially announced in April 2022.

Recently, the UK’s Home Office has begun contacting people refused asylum and offering them “voluntary departure” to Rwanda.

“Right now, people who came to the UK in search of sanctuary are living in fear of this reckless attack on human rights,” said Sophie Cartwright, the policy officer of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK).

“As a society we cannot stand by while our obligations towards refugees are abandoned, and people are subjected to the horrors of detention and deportation,” she said.

[…]

JRS UK is a leading advocate for refugees seeking asylum in Britain. As well as providing services to meet people’s immediate needs such as food and accommodation, the charity offers casework and legal support to help people navigate the asylum system.

“We urge anyone who is appalled by what is happening to raise their voice and to help JRS UK’s work supporting those who are put at risk by these inhumane policies. In detention centers, through our services, and through our advocacy we will continue to stand alongside people seeking safety in the UK,” Cartwright said.

Meanwhile, Church leaders expressing “deep misgivings” over the Bill, issuing a statement saying “the precedent it sets at home and for other countries in how we respond to the most vulnerable.”

“We are disappointed that the kindness and support offered by churches and charities to the people at the heart of this debate — those fleeing war, persecution and violence trying to find a place of safety — has been unjustly maligned by some for political reasons,” the statement says.

[Del]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/church-in-uk-and-ireland/2024/04/catholic-agency-calls-on-brits-to-stand-in-solidarity-with-refugees

Parliament passed the government’s Rwanda bill earlier this month, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it is “a fundamental change in the global equation on migration.”

Plans to forcibly and permanently transfer people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, without first examining their claim, were initially announced in April 2022.

It is very odd that United States, Great Britain, and the rich countries of the EU have all experimented with an "open borders" policy.

No surprise... we have all found that the world's poor have flooded the rich nations, seeking opportunities.

Also no surprise.... we have all discovered that we cannot actually help people by accepting them faster than we can assimilate them.

But what really surprised the knuckleheads who established these policies is this: When we don't vet the immigrants in some way, we are flooded with the same criminal culture that the innocent migrants are attempting to flee.

On America, it's Chinese fentanyl via the drug cartels.
In Europe, it's radical Islamic terrorism. (Although America's Antifa are suddenly willing to take this up, as well.)

[Del]

I can't remember which of wosbald's threads (as they are all alike) is dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism. So I'll comment here:

I tripped over this tweet:



And it occurs to me.... the giggly Antifa gangsters at the pro-Hamas campus camps have embraced Hitler's attitude and ethos. And they are proud of it.

This easy enough to explain. Those kids aren't thinking. No brains at all. "Activism" is their hobby and their religion. They do not know why they protesting or anything about at all Palestine. All they know is that they are generating chaos and pissing off lots of normal people -- and so they must be "doing something right."

But I am still quite amazed at their sheer lack of self-awareness. When Hitler would appreciate everything they're doing and fighting for, it might be a good idea to rethink your whole thing. Especially if they pride themselves on their Marxism and "anti-fascist" name.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: Diocese of Des Moines
Link: dmdiocese DOT org/news/iowa-catholic-bishops-address-new-law-affecting-immigrants

Iowa Catholic bishops address new law affecting immigrants [Press Release]

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The following is a statement from the four Catholic bishops of Iowa. The public policy voice of the Iowa bishops, Iowa Catholic Conference, prepared the statement regarding migration issues, including the new “illegal reentry” law to take effect July 1 and a call for immigration reform with humanitarian protections.

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From the Iowa Catholic Conference

Statement on Migration

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1

On this feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, we want you to know of our concern for the health and safety of all migrants and their families, no less than the other residents of our state. Pope Francis has said that chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel, which calls us to welcome the stranger, is “a constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door.” We are ready to serve in accordance with our sincerely held religious beliefs, following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The situation at the southern border has engendered fear and a resolution by many to look for local solutions. At the state level, we have opposed migration enforcement measures such as SF 2340 because they place a disproportionate emphasis on punitive sanctions, undermine family unity, reduce humanitarian protections, and provide no viable solutions for long-time residents without legal status. Nor can the State of Iowa simply “remove” people to another sovereign nation without that country’s permission.

It is especially problematic that SF 2340 would explicitly allow state officials to prosecute an individual for state immigration crimes, even if that person’s application for immigration relief is pending before federal authorities or they have actually received federal authorization to be present. Further, state and local officials have little training in interpreting federal immigration law. We ask officials to ensure the protection of human rights and dignity of the persons involved. Families should receive special consideration and not be separated.

We also express our solidarity with Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso and the Texas bishops, who insist that the dignity of migrants be respected while our country exercises its right to maintain its borders.

While Catholics may disagree within the limits of justice on the specific approach to reforming the immigration system, we ask lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to resist easy answers and do their job. As the Iowa Catholic Conference said decades ago, we again ask for “border protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect, while allowing the authorities to carry out the critical task of identifying and preventing entry of terrorists and dangerous criminals.”

As we remember our history as immigrants in Iowa, let us work together towards a fair and compassionate resolution of our challenges with migration.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: National Catholic Reporter / OSV News
Link: ncronline DOT org/news/texas-attorney-general-revives-attempt-shut-down-catholic-nonprofit-serving-migrants

Texas attorney general revives attempt to shut down Catholic nonprofit serving migrants

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El Paso, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton revived his attempt to shut down El Paso's Annunciation House, a Catholic nonprofit serving migrants, just a couple of months after his previous effort was blocked by a state judge.

Paxton's office said May 8 it filed an application for a temporary injunction against Annunciation House, accusing it of "systemic criminal conduct in Texas," including facilitating illegal border crossings or concealing "illegally present aliens from law enforcement."

Annunciation House's lawyer said those are false allegations.

In a statement, Paxton said, "Any NGO facilitating the unlawful entry of illegal aliens into Texas is undermining the rule of law and potentially jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of our citizens."

"All NGOs who are complicit in Joe Biden's illegal immigration catastrophe and think they are above the law should consider themselves on notice," he added.

[…]

Jerome Wesevich, a lawyer for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which is representing Annunciation House, called Paxton's latest effort "all heat and no light."

"The Court set forth an orderly process for deciding this case, and Annunciation House intends to follow that process so that Annunciation House and other non-profits have a clear statement of their rights and responsibilities when the Attorney General serves them with subpoenas," Wesevich said in a statement.

In its press statement, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid said Paxton "accompanied his filing today with a vicious press release restating the false accusations he made against Annunciation House in early February."

"What matters here is what the Court does, not what the Attorney General says," Wesevich said. "While the Attorney General drums up attention to his false claims, Annunciation House continues to serve refugees as the law allows and as the Gospel commands."

Spokespersons for the Diocese of El Paso and Annunciation House did not immediately respond to OSV News' requests for comment.

Annunciation House operates several shelters in the El Paso area, helping migrants and refugees with food, housing and other assistance, as well as providing information about how to fill out the required legal documents to seek asylum in the U.S.