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Let the Border Patrol give illegals comfort, aid

Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009 - 05:10:52 am MST

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To the Editor:

It seems, though I hope that I am wrong, that Our Lady in the Mountains Catholic school continues to provide food and shelter for illegal aliens without calling the U.S. Border Patrol.

I am amazed they refuse to get the message that, by so doing, they are aiding and abetting a criminal act. I am just as amazed and disheartened by the fact our Border Patrol lets them get away with it.

I am a Christian and certainly want no one, illegal or not, to suffer because of a lack of food or shelter. However, the correct, lawful, thing for anyone to do is to let the Border Patrol provide that aid.

I would like for Father Bob Brazaskas and anyone else who supports his present actions to consider the following:

Recently, four young men arrested for illegally crossing our border near Yuma were found to have a combined criminal history of 40 arrests. These crimes included numerous convictions for possession and sale of narcotics, corporal injury to a spouse, obstructing a peace officer, driving under the influence and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Additional convictions had been for attempted robbery and carrying a concealed firearm.

All four of these convicted felons had been deported numerous times but simply continued to illegally re-enter our country.

Another two of Sen. John McCain’s “young guys just looking for work” were apprehended near Nogales. One was found to have an active warrant for aggravated assault of a child under 14 years of age, and the other had a prior conviction for second-degree murder.

They had both been previously deported, but here they were again. I could go on listing this kind of thing forever; the number of illegals with criminal records apprehended by Border Patrol has risen from 10 percent to 19 percent.

What kind of screening do our “sanctuary” schools and churches put the “hungry and needy” illegal arrivals through before they admit them and let them mingle with our children? In providing food and shelter for illegal aliens, the school is encouraging more of them to come onto the school grounds. Do the parents realize what a risk the school is putting their children at?

And then, after they are rested and fed, they continue into our country to do who knows what.

This is a very dangerous, unlawful and unpatriotic practice, and it must stop.

Sure, we need to care for anyone in need, but if they appear to be illegal aliens, whether they are men, women or children, we must call our Border Patrol to check out their citizenship status and, if the situation warrants, let the Border Patrol provide that comfort and aid.

Richard Humphries

Elfrida

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Cheyenne wrote on Jan 11, 2009 8:53 AM:

" There is nothing wrong with giving a hungry, thirsty person food and drink. That is called compassion. But what is in question is the blind eye to the law. People have and will continue to twist "Christian values" to suit their agenda. Tresspass, litter their property, take the "good christians" jobs, rape/murder their family members and you will hear them crying for enforcement of the law. "

Jacqueline OConnor wrote on Jan 10, 2009 11:43 AM:

" I disagree, Richard, that the churches should provide care for anyone in need. There are agencies who will do this, I'd like to know how their "constituents"--those who belong to the church and pay the bills--feel about this use of their funds. No, the Catholic Church in particular, is one of the causes of such poverty in Mexico and elsewhere because of its prohibition against birth control resulting in Mexico's high birth rate and large number of young people Mexico can't educate or employ. And the church actively exports those in need to the U.S. "

Amazed wrote on Jan 7, 2009 2:44 AM:

" Still shocked by people thinking it is okay to feed/water and allow illegals to continue into our neighborhoods. See Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii) to see that it is against the law. Also read the report at www.usillegalaliens.com to see how harmless it is! Hope those "for" allowing illegals to walk on are signed up to help pick up their trash on Jan 8. Did you see the article about 110 tons of trash left on our lands. Truly educated yourselves as to the problem, then post your comments. "

Catbert wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:51 PM:

" I'm not religious but I would hope that a church would provide Sanctuary for those in need without questioning. I would worry about Churches that do not. "

New SV Rez wrote on Jan 6, 2009 4:24 PM:

" My old friend, now deceased, lived directly across from the referenced 'school'. He was telling me that they would sit on their pourch and vehicles would drive past, turn around at the end of the road and come back. Slowing by the trees just outside the 'school' gate. People would jump in the car and depart. He said he got threatening looks and the 'finger gun' pointed at him.
WHy do they still have tax exemptions if they are supporting organized crime. That 'school' is by defination a RICO target. "

Jay wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:14 PM:

" If the responsible party for the Church is providing or knowingly allowing others to provide aid and NOT ALSO notifying the Border Patrol, he is as guilty as the illegals he assists. I applaud helping those in need, but I condemn aiding and abetting criminals. I'd add that if this is truly happening, and especially if to a large extent, seems the BP should set up shop by the Church 24/7. "

Get over yourselves wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:14 PM:

" Richard Humphries, first of all, YOU live in Elfrida, nowhere near Our Lady of the Mountain! Second, illegals who know that they are wanted in the U.S. for crimes (and they do know) are not going to stop at a church and risk getting caught! Get off Fr. Bobs' case he's feeding hungry people not helping them carry bundles of pot! You live in a border area, better change your thinking..... or your address!!!! "

Guido wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:53 AM:

" Mr Humphries, great article. The Border Patrol has been very benevolent in providing aid and comfort to those in need. Many rescues have taken place when BP agents risk their own saftey to rescue those who are injured. Something fishy must be going on in the churches if they don't want to call the BP, makes one wonder. "

JB wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:48 AM:

" Nice letter and very true. However, the Catholic church does not care one bit what you think, nor will they cease their illegal acts. The BP should be notified and it will be up to the citizens to monitor the situation at the church and then call the BP. If I lived in that area I would surely do just that. "

Iris Lynch wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:56 AM:

" I agree, as from the comments of the earlier news story, do the majority of citizens. This is not a matter of being sympathetic, it is a matter of who you will choose to be sympathetic toward, the victims (our children) or the criminals. Because regardless of how you contort the facts, these people have broken the law and if they have been caught once before, are NOW FELONS. The vast majority have NO RESPECT FOR OUR LAWS and do not care who they hurt to get their selfish way. "

Pauly wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:52 AM:

" If the church is breaking the law - they should be held accountable. Leaving water at various locations is one thing. Actively participating and supporting a criminal act is another. Go and arrest them. It’s only a church not a mosque. "