Emigrating only for selfish reasons can be a moral evil, says speaker

Published: 2005-03-01

NEW YORK (CNS) -- A decision to emigrate to another country can be a moral evil if it is made only for selfish reasons and without a sense of responsibility to one's community of origin, a speaker told participants in a conference on immigration law. Governments should not use that moral factor to justify refusing to allow emigration, but it should be taken into account in public discussion of voluntary emigration so that "religious values can inform the debate over immigration law and policy in the broader context," said Michael A. Scaperlanda, who teaches immigration law and other subjects at the University of Oklahoma College of Law in Norman. He also said other evils, such as the actions of an oppressive regime, can cause people to decide to leave their country. Speaking Feb. 25 at the Fordham University Law School in New York, Scaperlanda gave the opening address at a one-day conference on "Strangers No Longer: Immigration Law and Policy in the Light of Religious Values."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .