Reject proposal

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	Related article: from May 11, 2007 issue: • Bp. Zubik asks area elected officials to reject immigration initiatives     Green Bay city council tables     initiative, but it could come up again     Sidebar Bishop's statement

The Green Bay City Council will make a terrible mistake if it approves the immigration initiative before it.

The proposal would require documentation of residency for anyone seeking a business license and prohibit businesses from employing undocumented immigrants.

On May 3, Green Bay Bp. David Zubik issued a statement urging the city council to reject the proposal.

In his statement, Bp. Zubik acknowledged that countries have the right to control their borders and to limit immigration for reasons of security or to protect scarce resources for their own citizens. But, he said, these are not concerns in northeast Wisconsin.

"The vast majority of immigrants are not a threat to our security," Bp. Zubik said. "Rather, they are good people, sensitive people who are trying to make a better life for themselves and for their families. It's the same thing that you want for your own families."

Bp. Zubik noted the area's long history of immigration - where nearly everyone is either an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant - and the resulting economic, religious and social benefits.

Despite being a nation of immigrants, the United States has a long, sad history of hostility toward immigrants. Even worse, nearly every immigrant group that eventually became an accepted part of the community then joined in heaping abuse on the next group of immigrants.

If Green Bay is going to continue to grow and prosper, it needs to welcome immigrant people who eagerly seek the lower-end jobs in our community.

Yes, the United States badly needs immigration reform - and soon. But that is a national issue that can be resolved only at the federal level by Congress and the President.

For local government to assume that role is to invite lawsuits and to reject a necessary workforce, as well as cultures that will further enrich the life of our community.

There are many problems that need solving in Green Bay and the surrounding area that are within the scope of the city council. That is where they need to focus their attention, not on tangential issues that serve only to distract and stir up angry feelings and resentments.

Bp. Zubik was absolutely right. The city council should reject these immigration proposals. That's what Jesus, who as a baby was an immigrant to Egypt, would do.