Sat 31 Dec 2005
There is an interesting article about a Texas Church who aides illegal immigrants (AP, Debate surrounds Texas church that aids illegals, 31 December 2005). It describes the work of Rev. Jim Loiacono, who provides at to illegal border crossers at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Loiacono, and other priests along the border, reflect Roman Catholic social teaching that recognizes the right of nations to control their borders, but also asserts that people who cannot support themselves have a right to find work in another country for their survival.
Wait, let me check that again. As a nation, you can control your borders, but not if “control” means prohibiting someone from moving to a country with worse economic conditions to a country with better economic conditions. Well, that’s not much control at all.
But instead of getting worked up about some who knowlingly aids and abeds these criminals, I was most struck by a sentance at the end of the article:
Meidy Garcia said she and her 3-year-old daughter, Susan, could have died if the church hadn’t provided refuge. During their two-week journey from Honduras, they slept in a rat-infested house, endured double-crossing guides and ached from hunger and thirst.
They crossed chest-high water in the Rio Grande and walked in chilly temperatures for a half hour before Border Patrol agents arrested them and questioned them for four hours.
A stranger brought them to the church hall, where Loiacono and the nuns cared for them.
Soon after, Loiacono drove the mother and child to a Western Union kiosk and arranged for Garcia’s husband — a baker in Atlanta — to send $300 to pay for her bus ride to Georgia. The priest made sure she got the 10 percent discount his church negotiated with the bus company for immigrant travel, then prayed for the mother and child.
First of all, after being caught by Border Patrol, the worst thing that happens is a four hour session of questioning, and then release with promise to appear in court. (Of course, she won’t appear in court in Texas because the good Reverand has put her on a bus leaving the state). Catch and release.
But to beat all… a 10% discount on bus fare just for being an illegal immigrant!!! Akkkk! (Choking). Sigh.
