February 21, 2016

This past week there was some deliberate actions taken to convince state legislators, governmental officials, and average citizens that there are serious inadequacies in some recently proposed laws. Not only are there inadequacies in proposed legislation, but there are some current laws which are unfairly restricting.

For example there is the “sanctuary city” law. Proposed legislation would prohibit cities and towns from preventing their law enforcement personnel from asking about the immigration status of anyone whom they detain. Without “sanctuary” designation in that city or town, any person who did not have documentation would be reported to immigration officials, including people reporting a crime.

Two problematic consequences may occur: 1. Local police may be drawn into complicated cases best handled by federal officials; 2. Immigrants with information about a crime may be less likely to come forward for fear their immigration status would be exposed and they would be deported. Both of these situations have occurred where “sanctuary” did not exist. Many of these cases involve domestic abuse where women and children are left in dangerous living situations.

In another area of legislation, immigrant advocates promoted “Driver’s Cards.” Accidents happen, even for good drivers. But, if good drivers do not have insurance because they do not have legal permission to drive, everyone suffers. Drivers’ cards do not resolve the problems with federal immigration laws, but they may bring safety and economic justice to our local and state roads.

Furthermore, I have encountered a number good people, including a mother of 5 children, who have been ticketed multiple times for driving without a license. The mother, after being stopped several times while driving her children to school or while traveling to work, has watched this minor infraction lead to a serious penalty and possible deportation. Local infractions lead to federal immigration legal implications.

Ultimately, let us seek fairness and balance in our state even while the federal government struggles to accomplish similar fairness and balance.

Peace, Fr. Andy