My message pertains to Gina Christian’s OSV News article, “Cardinals air concerns about U.S.’ ‘moral foundation,’” in the Jan. 30 Hawaii Catholic Herald. While the majority of Americans agree that illegal immigration and its consequences are perhaps the toughest issue facing Americans (proven by the 2024 election), we are conflicted as to how to resolve the issue in a “Christian” or humanitarian manner that avoids the “guilt trip” that some church leaders are casting upon citizens and followers.
In “Summa Theologica,” Thomas Aquinas provides multiple instructions as to “man’s relations with foreigners,” none of which contradict our long-standing National policy regarding illegal immigrants: “If foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down… many dangers might occur, since the foreigners, not yet having the common good firmly at heart, might attempt something hurtful to the people.”
Church leaders could be more instrumental to a humanitarian response to illegal immigration by instituting and leading programs that assist immigrants in the nationalization process, similar to the OCIA process of forming new Catholics. That seems far preferable to current approaches that serve only to create greater division among citizens.
With love and respect,
Mike Solomon, Aiea
Above: A U.S. flag and a copy of the Pledge of Allegiance are held during a naturalization ceremony at the White House in Washington. (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters / CNS / 2021)