The
Immigration Myth
Interview With Director of US Bishops
By Kathleen Naab
WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Overcoming
ignorance is a main element in the fight for justice
regarding immigration issues, affirms a U.S. bishops'
aide.
Johnny Young is the director of the episcopal
conference's Migration and Refugee Services. That
organization, along with the Catholic Legal Immigration
Network, is hosting a National Migration Conference this
July 28-31.
ZENIT spoke with Young about the conference, titled
"Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice," and about the
organizers' goals for the gathering.
Q: One of the goals of this conference is to "increase
public awareness on migration questions." What are some
of the primary misconceptions about migration that need
to be eradicated?
Young: There are so many, but outlining some of them
might help.
There is the problem and negative perception that all
migrants, documented and undocumented, are all the same,
which, of course, is not true. Both groups are deserving
of respectful and dignified treatment.
In terms of the undocumented, the problems are numerous.
For example, there is the myth of the undocumented not
paying taxes and draining the system of resources for
social service benefits of one kind or another. The
empirical evidence demonstrates otherwise. They do pay
taxes and are not an undue burden on social services.
In terms of taxes, they have paid billions into the
Social Security system and will not collect a penny from
it. They are, in effect, helping to keep the Social
Security system afloat. This, of course, is in addition
to what the undocumented pay in income, real estate,
sales and other federal and state taxes.
Then there is the forgotten fact that the undocumented
are no different than any of us in wanting to do the
best for their families.
Another stereotype is that the undocumented have become
associated with the Hispanic community, when in fact
many ethnic groups make up the undocumented.
Most important of all is that the plight of the
undocumented is part of a dilemma that has the American
people in a conflicted situation of wanting it both
ways, i.e. having the benefits of the labor and sweat of
the undocumented, but without allowing them a pathway to
citizenship for what they have contributed to our
well-being and country.
This problem could, of course, be corrected through
passage of a comprehensive immigration reform law. I
could go on, but think that with these examples, you get
my point.
Q: You have noted the timeliness of the conference,
given that it falls in an election year. The immigration
issue has divided the American people. How important
will the issue of immigration be this November?
Young: Although some of the candidates for the
presidential elections in November have tried to mask
their true feeling on this issue, as November
approaches, the pressure on them to come clean on this
score will force the truth to come out.
This will allow a real discussion on this subject, and
particularly on the issue of comprehensive immigration
reform. I think the American people will demand to hear
both sides of the issue. The discussion will heat up,
but no legislation likely will be passed until after the
new president is elected and feels confident enough so
that he or she can show real leadership on this issue,
instead of following what some might consider to be the
voice of the mob at the moment.
In the meantime, and in the lead up to the November
election, citizens will have an opportunity to make
their views known to the candidates. It is our hope that
those attending the conference will take advantage of
the time allotted to them to make their views knows to
their representatives on the hill.
Q: The immigration issue in the United States is often
associated primarily with the growing Hispanic
population. But the speakers at the conference will give
a much broader vision: a Haitian refugee, a Rwandan
genocide survivor, etc. Why is there so much attention
given just to Mexican immigrants? Is there a larger
scope to this issue that most people don't see?
Young: I spoke to this earlier, but will say again that
the undocumented cover a wide range of ethnic groups.
Unfortunately, the problem is now being looked at by
many as strictly Hispanic. In the United States, we have
undocumented from Europe, China, Africa, the
Subcontinent [the region around India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka], the Caribbean and every region
you could possibly name.
Although the preponderance of the undocumented are from
Mexico and Latin America, the undocumented demographic
is very multiethnic.
Q: The conference "aims to develop and strengthen
dioceses' and parishes' capacity to welcome and provide
hospitality to newcomers and their families." What are
some of the obstacles to making that welcoming attitude
a reality?
Young: The biggest obstacle is in overcoming ingrained
and uninformed attitudes about immigrants and their
place in our society. Once people know and appreciate
the contributions of immigrants to the strength of
America, they become more receptive and welcoming. It’s
the old story of being frightened by that which one does
not know.
This is especially true in the kind of hard economic
times we are presently experiencing in this country,
although the problem was bubbling up to the surface
prior to the present economic downturn.
From a Catholic perspective, once parishioners become
better informed of Catholic social teaching, one would
expect that they would become more welcoming of the
stranger. After all, that is part of what their faith is
all about. Unfortunately, not enough of our Catholic
brethren are sufficiently grounded in these teachings,
which are based on biblical principles and are all
intended to open the heart to the wonders of God’s love.
That is a very simple message, but one which gets lost
in the emotions of the discussion. That is why we have
programs such as Justice for Immigrants, a program
intended to change entrenched attitudes at the grass
roots level.
Q: During and after his trip to the United States,
Benedict XVI made reference to the role of Hispanics in
the Church in the United States. He even addressed some
words in Spanish during his video message to America
released prior to the trip. What do you think the Pope's
messages meant for the United States? What is he
inviting and encouraging from the Church in the United
States regarding migration?
Young: His messages were all consistent and grounded in
American history and biblical teachings. He was saying
to Americans, "Don’t forget your history in how decently
and kindly you welcomed and treated your immigrants, who
were the foundation on which this nation was built."
He not only reminded us of those historical and biblical
facts, but reminded us of our duty to be kind to them,
as the nation had been in the past. He was being the
good shepherd in trying to steer his flock and the
nation to which it belongs in the right direction.
If that simple reminder were being followed today, this
country would not be experiencing the kind of turmoil it
is presently undergoing in trying to come to grips with
a totally broken immigration system.
We Americans derive many, many benefits from the sweat
and hard work of immigrants and accept the benefits
derived from their work as God given advantages and part
of the blessings bestowed on this great country. At the
same time, though, we don't want to give those who have
"paid dues" through their labor and hardships a pathway
to citizenship. This is simply not fair or just.
Finally, most Americans acknowledge that something is
not right with our immigration system, but cannot
articulate in detail what are the reasons why there are
12 million undocumented in the country. They know that
the system is broken, but don't know why.
