Fr. Dwight Longenecker examines the issue in light of Church teaching, and his suggestion might surprise you:
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It seems to me that the bishops are very vocal about the first principle, but rather more subdued about the second. Wouldn’t their case for the first principle be stronger if they were also more supportive of the second?
This doesn’t necessarily mean they must support the building of Trump’s wall, but they could be more supportive of a whole range of initiatives that secure the border not only for American citizens, but also for those who wish to immigrate–doing so legally and avoiding the human traffickers and criminals who take advantage of the immigrants. Border control is not only to keep criminals out. It is also to establish safe zones and proper procedures to welcome immigrants safely.
Is the wall necessary?
Certainly a security wall or fence could be part of a sensible and far reaching immigration reform which fulfills both of the bishops essential principles. The bishop’s 2013 document also goes on to suggest six ways the two principles might be enacted. I like them all, but I like the last two best…
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