Cardinal seeks meeting with border bureau, senators about raids

Published: 2004-06-23

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- In light of recent immigration raids in Southern California, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles has requested a meeting with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein of California. "Recent interior activity has generated fear, confusion and anger throughout the Hispanic neighborhoods in Southern California," said Cardinal Mahony in a June 21 letter to Robert Bonner, commissioner of the bureau, a division of the Department of Homeland Security. "Sadly, there are those who have exploited the fear and confusion, magnifying the negative impact." The cardinal said he, his auxiliary bishops and the leaders of L.A. Metro-Industrial Areas Foundation are calling on the bureau and the media to act responsibly. L.A. Metro, an association of multidenominational and multiethnic church community organizations, has been organizing public actions to speak out against recent immigration inspections that target factories, markets or coin-operated laundries in Latino neighborhoods.

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