Open Borders

It is the focus of a wonderful July 4th article by Linda Chavez from Patriot Post reminding us of the City on the Hill image so prominent in our history from the time it was first spoken on the deck of the Mayflower when arriving on these shores almost 400 years ago, and talking about the open borders debate now being joined within the conservative ranks, and it is a good time to do so.

Here is an excerpt from Linda Chavez’s article:

“There are few places in the world that beckon to those who share no common blood or history, but America has done so for centuries. It is one of the things that defines this great country. In celebrating the 232nd birthday of our nation this Fourth of July, it is worth recalling what Ronald Reagan said about the promise the United States holds out to so many.

“In his farewell address, President Reagan explained: “I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors, and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here."

“Jason Riley, a member of the Wall Street Journal's editorial board, quotes President Reagan's words in his new book, “Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders, Six Common Arguments Against Immigration and Why They Are Wrong." Like Reagan, Riley is an optimist, one who sees the United States as a land of unlimited opportunity and potential. It's a view in short supply lately but worth thinking about as we celebrate our nation's founding.”

And I would suggest you read a few pages of Riley's book, available online at Amazon and you will perhaps come to the same conclusion Ronald Regan did, open immigration policies are good for this country as we always benefit from the immigration of hard-working and responsible people, which virtually all of those who come here are.

The Catholic Church supports an open immigration policy, with certain conditions, as this section of the Catechism notes:

“2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

“Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.”