Controversy Over Status of Immigrant Drywall Workers in Strike

“Msgr. Jaime Soto speaks to drywall workers in Orange, backing their cause but urging lawful actions” is the caption under the photo on the July 13 front page (“Priest Speaks Out for Civil Rights of Latinos”).

If Msgr. Soto is serious and consistent in his beliefs, then he must be supporting “lawful actions” on the part of INS in processing and deporting illegal aliens who have entered the United States unlawfully. Any other position would be in support of criminal activity, which does not help the church’s credibility as a social institution.

Law-abiding members of the Hispanic community are being cheated by those who harbor and encourage illegal aliens to come the United States. Our poor people of all ethnic groups are being “pushed to or left on the margins of society” partly because of the flood of thousands of unskilled poor from Third World countries illegally swarming across our borders in search of a better life. The civil rights of all ethnic groups need to be addressed, including those of native and naturalized U.S. citizens who are concerned about the invasion of their borders.

California and the United States cannot afford to assume responsibility for “giving every individual the tools to realize his value.” Other countries have to take responsibility for their own citizens.

If the Pope really cared about the plight of the poor, his mission would include the promotion of birth control and smaller families. Perhaps the Catholic Church will donate money to balance the budget in California so programs that benefit the poor can be maintained.

DOREEN BURCHETT

Newport Beach