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15483931021684


Al culpar a los inmigrantes indocumentados por un gran número de asesinatos violentos, agresiones, delitos sexuales y sobredosis de drogas, el presidente Donald Trump, en su primer discurso en horario estelar el 8 de enero desde la Oficina Oval, dijo: “Esta es una crisis humanitaria, una crisis del corazón y una crisis del alma”, e insistió en que el Congreso proporcione $5.7 mil millones para una extensión del muro a lo largo de la frontera de Estados Unidos y México.

Las palabras del presidente Trump son absolutamente correctas: “Esta es una crisis humanitaria, una crisis del corazón y una crisis del alma”. Pero la manera en que aplica estas palabras es absolutamente incorrecta.

Es cierto que existe una crisis humanitaria. Pero no es una ficticia de innumerables migrantes peligrosos que invaden a los Estados Unidos para aterrorizar a los ciudadanos estadounidenses. Más bien es una verdadera crisis de migrantes que sufren —especialmente aquellos en el Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica (Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador) que son víctimas de la violencia de las pandillas de narcotraficantes, extorsión, secuestros y falta de empleo— y buscan una vida segura y decente para ellos y sus familias. ¿No es eso lo que todos buscamos?

Kevin Eckery, vicecanciller de la Diócesis de San Diego —que limita con México— me dijo durante una entrevista: “Esta es una crisis inventada, no hay invasión. Lo que necesitamos es encontrar maneras de ser generosamente compasivos”. 

Un gran número de estudios confirman que los inmigrantes son menos propensos a cometer crímenes violentos que los ciudadanos nacidos en Estados Unidos. De hecho, los inmigrantes enriquecen en gran medida nuestras iglesias, la cultura y la economía.

De acuerdo con The Hill (http://bit.ly/1rm6iF0), algunos segmentos de la economía de los Estados Unidos, como la agricultura, dependen en gran medida de los inmigrantes indocumentados. “En términos de cifras generales, el Departamento del Trabajo informa que de los 2.5 millones de trabajadores agrícolas en los Estados Unidos, más de la mitad (53 por ciento) son inmigrantes ilegales. Los agricultores y los sindicatos de trabajadores colocan esta cifra en 70 por ciento”.

Según el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados, hay más de 25 millones de refugiados y más de 3 millones de solicitantes de asilo en todo el mundo (https://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html). Y, lamentablemente, solo un pequeño porcentaje de ellos puede construir nuevas vidas en los países de acogida.

En promedio, solo a unas 24,000 personas se les concede asilo en los Estados Unidos anualmente (https://bit.ly/2bqdgre). Y en el año fiscal 2018, los EE. UU. redujeron drásticamente el número de refugiados admitidos a solo 22,491 (https://cnn.it/2xY0QFi).

Según el instituto conservador CATO, 49 países tuvieron tasas más altas de aceptación de solicitantes de asilo y refugiados que los EE. UU. en 2017. Y el pequeño y pobre Líbano, la nación más hospitalaria del mundo, ha aceptado solicitantes de asilo a razón de 73 veces más que los Estados Unidos. (https://bit.ly/2FiqUjE)

Es esencial que los fieles católicos en los Estados Unidos y otras naciones ricas presionen a los líderes de sus gobiernos para que permitan más refugiados y solicitantes de asilo en sus países.

También es muy importante que los ciudadanos de los EE. UU. se comuniquen con sus dos senadores y congresistas (número telefónico del Capitolio: 202-224-3121) para instarles a que aprueben una legislación integral, justa, compasiva y exhaustiva sobre la reforma migratoria, y para que aumenten significativamente los recursos diplomáticos y financieros que ayuden a remediar las causas que obligan a millones de seres humanos a huir de sus países.

Como fieles católicos, es absolutamente esencial que pongamos nuestras convicciones políticas a un lado y tomemos en serio la enseñanza que el Papa Juan XXIII nos dio en su encíclica Pacem in Terris (Paz en la Tierra): “Ha de respetarse íntegramente también el derecho de cada hombre a conservar o cambiar su residencia dentro de los límites geográficos del país; más aún, es necesario que le sea lícito, cuando lo aconsejen justos motivos, emigrar a otros países y fijar allí su domicilio”.

Comments from readers

CaludioCroce - 02/12/2019 09:07 AM
I am not in a position to accept or to approve or to judge immigrants in this country AS LONG AS THEY ARE LEGAL. While I came to the United States in a comfortable airplane, being served food, drink and entertainment, with lawyers on the ground available to do the necessary paperwork to provide me legal status, others aren�t so lucky. Being born in a country marred by corruption, where institutions are weak and opportunities are far from being equally and fairly distributed, I understand that my situation is merely the luck of the draw. Had I been born in another country just a little more corrupt, or in a family with fewer privileges� or had attended schools with fewer resources� I may not have had the �perfect storm� variables that granted me the PRIVILEGE to migrate legally to a country that treats me better as a human being. I am only in the position to be grateful to God for having given me the gift to experience life in the United States, a country that have inspired me even before I ever stepped foot in it. I believe that with privilege comes responsibility. I would be ashamed of myself to classify immigrants in just two categories: legal and illegal. While I understand that an �invasion� of immigrants to the US, Europe or anywhere else, are most often disruptive to the social order; I cannot allow myself to think that the inconveniences of their presence in our backyards speak louder than the suffering of families whose human rights are not respected. America is a beacon of inspiration to the world. As it has inspired me when I was young, not having the faintest idea that one day DESTINY would put me here living on this soil, it should continue to inspire others all over the world. Our conversations should not be focused so much in building walls or borders, albeit necessary, but about how America should continue to be the source of INSPIRATION and ENCOURAGEMENT to a world that has already expanded its frontiers and opened so many doors.
Beatriz Bezos - 02/11/2019 05:43 PM
Legal and vetted migration has been and will always be welcomed. Just like my family became part of the American dream, I personally welcome all families that come legally to work and enjoy the benefits of this Republic. We all came with one piece of luggage, proper papers submitted and worked very hard to integrate. And yes, en mi casa se habla espa�ol, somos biling�es y orgullosos de ser americanos recordando nuestras raices. I am repeating other posts, but I invite Mr. Magliano to research and visit Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador. Find ways of helping the desperate souls oppressed by the local oligarchs in their countries! Otherwise, you are just filling the coffers of the controlling governments, that keep the funds and donations. In reference to the excuse of agriculture workers, please learn about H1A visas. You will be surprised about how individuals can come to work legally - and no, you do not hear about this in the media. Have a blessed day and stay informed.
Dan Gorman - 02/11/2019 01:47 PM
More money for the corrupt governments of those central American countries that suppress their people? Unlimited immigration of caravans of foreign peoples most of whom are healthy young men? Open borders? The desperate attempt to add votes to an evil and lately socialist Democratic Party? Narcotics and killers included in the mix? I don't think so and I'm surprised eminent members of our Catholic clergy think so.
Lourdes R. Reimundo - 02/11/2019 12:06 PM
Good article and I most definitely agree with the teaching of St. Pope John Paul so long as they emigrate LEGALLY and correctly.
Rigo Labrada Jr - 02/11/2019 11:23 AM
With all due respect, you are looking at the San Diego perspective. Please investigate the Texas border perspective. The underlying question you do not address, is Why are these poor souls attempting such a dangerous journey and with their families? How about addressing the countries they are coming from and write about those stories. That the US needs to be compassionate and respond better, yes. That the past Administrations kicked this can for decades is undeniable, so let us pray that both Democrats and Republicans be enlightened to solve this problem. A survey of US Border officials have asked for stricter measures and more for the past few years. This story perspective is missing because you are just concentrating on the San Diego border. I will venture to guess that the majority of the illegal crossings are through the Texas Mexico passage. We are a country of laws and all of us inside and outside need to follow them. We are also a country of God fearing and loving individuals who need to take care of everyone both inside and outside our borders because that is the Christian message. So, I needed to respond to this because a few other perspectives need to be written and you have provided just one. God Bless you and may He help this great Country! Rigo Labrada Jr.
Luis Barzana - 02/11/2019 11:10 AM
Excellent article!

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