Illegal immigration and the law

The Pope’s heart may be in the right place but his comments about illegal immigration on his recent trip to the United States were off base.

The Pope is advocating amnesty for millions of illegal aliens in the United States in violation of immigration laws.

During his visit, a host of  individuals who advocate illegal immigrants descended on the steps of the Vatican’s Washington liaison office seeking the Pope’s help to soften enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

The Catholic pontiff has made amnesty a key issue in his papacy. During his visit with President Bush, he told the president he should provide blanket amnesty to all illegal aliens.

Californians for Population Stabilization spokesman Rick Oltman says he is disturbed by the Pope’s comments. “Of all the people in the world, the Pope understands that we have to be ruled by laws and that we have to obey the law,” he argues. “Immigration law is as important as any other law.”

Although Oltman says he respects the Pope and understands his concerns about being compassionate, he thinks the pontiff needs to take that message to some other countries.

“We’re the most compassionate country in the world when it comes to immigration and allowing immigrants in,” he contends. “But why is it that the United States has to be the only one that’s compassionate?”

Oltman thinks the Pope should instead address the “restrictive and brutal” immigration policies of other countries – such as Mexico.

America embraces legal immigrants. The issue is about the rule of law, not about compassion.