TO THE EDITOR:

This week is National Migration Week. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have asked us to reflect on issues affecting immigrants and refugees.

Governor Pawlenty released a report that was critical of illegal immigrants. We all should be bothered by this problem, but the Governorís approach feeds into anti-immigrant and racism. Instead of providing a balanced report on the cost and benefits of undocumented workers, he primary lists the costs.

Instead of suggesting that immigration laws be revised to assist immigrants to relocate here legally, he wants stricter reinforcement of the existing laws. Instead of faulting employers who hire and exploit illegal immigrants, he makes the undocumented create unemployment in third world countries, leaving them no choice but to go to the U.S. for work illegally because they cannot afford to legally get a work visa here, he goes after the victims of American trade agreements.

Instead of criticizing the Bush administrationís guest worker proposal for what they are, a vehicle to exploit foreign workers, he is busy cutting benefits that could help undocumented workers adjust to life in the United States.

In Hebrew scripture, the Jews are reminded that they once were strangers in a foreign land. I think it might be helpful to remember that we stole this land from native American Indians and that most of us came from immigrant stock.Then maybe we would not be so hard on undocumented workers that travel here for a better life.

Robert G. Walz
North Branch

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