By james art 
Santa Fe, NM (KRQE)-one of the most prominent religious state leaders calls for a nuanced approach to solving the problem of immigration in the country. The Archbishop of Santa Fe John Wester came up with a statement on Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders to combat illegal immigration, such as termination of nationality, stopping asylum and deployment of troops on the border.
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Archbishop Wester said that while immigration is broken and needed to be reformed, the over -the -side approach is not the answer. He said the reform should be “comprehensive, insightful and effective” and the difficult situation that many immigrants face should not be neglected.
Here is the full statement of Archbishop John Wester:
As we introduce a new administration in our country, let us pray for a future based on the common good, a nation united in solidarity, and deep respect for the holiness of each individual and the dignity of each worker.
In the light of the latest news, I feel a deep obligation to speak on behalf of immigrants. The United States owes a lot to immigrants since they first came to our shores when they saw the Statue of Freedom. Dealing with our broken immigration system is a complicated and huge challenge that has confused our nation for decades. Unfortunately, many leaders offer overly simplified solutions: either striving for open boundaries or closing them. Neither of the two approaches is viable. We need a comprehensive, insightful and effective immigration reform.
The core of this complex question lies in the fact that it affects human beings, any created in God’s image with inherent dignity. We should not treat them as ordinary pawns in a chess game, nor politicize them. Instead, we must put their needs and anxieties in our debate, taking into account both the citizens of our nation and those seeking refuge at our borders. Our Christian faith makes us care for residents and foreigners.
We cannot ignore the plight of immigrants facing terrible situations in their home countries. Recently, Bishop Mark Zaitz of El Paso and I visited Tegusigalpa, where we visited a family whose home was bursting with bullets because their son did not want to join a band. Their story is emblematic of the difficult situation in which so many immigrants are in because they are victims of criminal cartels, drug traffickers, human traffickers and unbearable conditions caused by economic and political injustice.
At the same time, we must take into account the concerns of our fellow citizens while not succumbing to fake stories. The truth is that immigrants are a benefit to our country. They help the economy by increasing the workforce, creating jobs and increasing productivity. It is a fact that immigrants are often among the most resistant laws, religious, hard-working and community-oriented people in our country. They have a lower percentage of imprisonment than the local population and studies show that as the immigration population increases, the level of crime decreases.
Let us remember that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were once forced immigrants to Egypt, running away from Herod. Immigrants have already played a decisive role in turning America into the Great. It is now our responsibility to maintain this greatness by uniting in a two -party effort to introduce immigration reform, which honors both citizens and immigrants, dealing with complex problems. Mass deportation is not the solution. The thoughtful, two -party and reasonable comprehensive immigration reform is what our country deserves and our brothers and Immigrant siblings need.
As Catholics, we firmly believe that all human beings are God’s children, brothers and sisters created in the image of God. It is imperative to reassess how we treat our neighbor, both within and outside our borders. Please join me in the prayer our country to respond to the current immigration crisis in a way that reflects evangelical values by managing our borders reasonably and at the same time provides for those looking for a home where they can find life, freedom, and The search for happiness.
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