Cardinal Mahony tells presidential candidates to focus on immigration

Published: 2007-12-13

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- In letters to all the presidential candidates sent Dec. 12, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony urged them to "show leadership on the issue of immigration" and to work to find a "humane and comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system." The cardinal expressed disappointment at the tone of the immigration debate and urged the candidates to replace verbal attacks on immigrants with a focus on policy solutions. "I am deeply disturbed that, to date, the discussion on immigration has failed to significantly focus upon policy solutions to illegal immigration," he wrote. "Rather, the debate has been characterized by verbal assaults on undocumented immigrants, assaults which have had the effect of alienating immigrants to our country -- not only the undocumented but also legal immigrants and newly naturalized citizens," he said. Cardinal Mahony also reminded the candidates they have a responsibility to outline a vision for the future of the country that includes leadership on immigration reform.

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