The church and immigration …

Christian Century, Jan 9, 2007 by David McCreary

To INCREASE market share in the burgeoning Latino population, it seems that some United Methodist churches will even place an image of the Mexican national saint on their altars (see "Sanctuary," by Jason Byassee, Oct. 31). The Latino congregation that meets in our church consists of Christians from Central and South America who would never display an image of Mexico's Virgin of Guadalupe--and for more than just anti-Catholic reasons. That is the problem with catchall terms like Hispanic and Latino: they mask real differences among the different Spanish-speaking groups.

What is bewildering to people who think about immigration in economic and environmental terms is the easy way that United Methodist leaders can bemoan the worsening labor situation for the working poor and the middle class in this country and still call for open borders. When people compete for the same jobs, the lowest bidders will get those jobs. The latter are mostly immigrants, both legal and illegal, 70 percent of whom rank below the U.S. median income level (unskilled, in other words). It is mainly Afro-Americans, Chicanos, Native Americans and poor whites who suffer as a consequence.

The National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Wall Street Journal and the tourist industry claim that American workers won't perform demanding, unskilled jobs. What they really want is cheap, docile labor to increase profits. How much profit do they really need? Why do churches aid and abet them?

David McCreary

Faith United Methodist Church, Grand Island, Neb.