Mormon Life - Immigration tag

“Our Foreign-Born Friends”

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:54:00 -0600

source: keepapitchinin.org

Mormon Life says: This article from 1928 is still very relevant today. The editors of the Young Woman’s Journal (1928) had this to say about accepting the immigrants among us:

Those who are American born would do well to come into closer relationship with those from other lands who have accepted the gospel message and have gathered to Zion to be one with us. They, more than likely, have made sacrifices undreamed of by some of our young people and which, if known, would excite sympathy and admiration.

Romney's at odds with Mormon Church on immigration

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:40:00 -0700

source: latimes.com

Reporting from Phoenix— Celia Alejandra Alvarez spent three months in a Maricopa County jail after deputies arrested her and other illegal immigrants working at a landscaping business.

She said a saving grace during the "90 long days" three years ago were the visits and help she received from her "brothers" and "sisters" with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Article about LDS Latinos inaccurate

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:54:00 -0700

source: standard.net

Mormon Life says: This letter to the editor challenges a recent article published about Latin members of the Church. Editor,

Do reporters actually do research before publishing articles? The AP reporter who wrote the article concerning Latino LDS members being against Romney and other LDS politicians was anything but factual (Feb. 21, "LDS Latinos: Keep Mitt out"). Where did the supposed member get the information that 70 percent of Latino LDS members are illegal?

Latino Mormons speaking out against Romney over immigration issue

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:55:00 -0700

source: foxnews.com

When Honduran-born Antonella Cecilia Packard converted to the Mormon Faith 20 years ago, she said it was like "coming home."

The Catholic-educated Packard, who grew up in "the middle of Mayan ruins," appreciated the faith's strong sense of family and conservative values. She also saw her own history in the Book of Mormon with stories of migrations, tragedies and triumphs of a people many Mormons believe are the ancestors of some present-day Latinos.

But two decades after her conversion while a college student at Mississippi State, the 43-year-old Packard finds herself on a new mission: defeating Mitt Romney and any Mormon politician who betrays what she sees as a basic Mormon principle of protecting immigrants.

Mormons' immigration attitudes set them apart

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:14:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: For how conservative Mormons typically are, compassion tends to win when it comes to immigration. Editor's note: This article is the fourth in a five-part series examining survey findings on Mormons in America. Read the first, second and third articles.

The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life's survey of Mormons released this past week confirms that U.S. Mormons are more conservative (66 percent) compared to the general public (37 percent), and on most issues, they closely track white evangelicals. But immigration is one issue that sets Mormons apart from their evangelical counterparts.

Utah Compact one-year anniversary marked by Utah community leaders

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:59:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Immigration continues to be a hot topic. This comes right after Arizona's state Senate President Russell Pearce was ousted on account of his stance on immigration. Utah community, business, political and faith leaders gathered today to mark the one-year anniversary of the Utah Compact, a document that lays out a responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform.

Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who was one of nine speakers at the event, read the following statement in behalf of the Church:

Mormons oust Mormon: Why Russell Pearce lost

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:02:00 -0700

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Lewis (who won) has a more Christ-like approach to immigration, according to voters.

Most coverage of Tuesday’s night’s recall of state Senate President Russell Pearce ( R) in Mesa, Arizona has focused on the fact that Russell authored the state’s controversial immigration legislation.

Pearce was defeated by Republican Jerry Lewis, a charter school executive, in a Republican primary that many may see as a referendum on a harsh immigration law similar to the one signed by Gov. Jan Brewer ( R) and challenged by the Obama administration in the courts.

Immigration was a factor in his defeat — in large part because the Mormon Church decided that it should be. But an ethics scandal and under-handed campaign tactics also played a role.

Mormon voters, immigration help recall Russell Pearce

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:25:00 -0700

source: religiondispatches.org

Mormon Life says: Many Mormons who voted for Lewis (who won) felt he had a more compassionate approach to immigration.

Last night, Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce--author of the controversial and now infamous anti-immigration bill SB 1070--became the first sitting lawmaker in Arizona history to lose his seat in a recall election, in a closely fought contest that divided Mesa, Arizona's strong LDS community between Pearce, who is Mormon, and his challenger Jerry Lewis, who is also a Mormon Republican. Lewis beat Pearce 53% to 46%.

The Mormon grapevine was abuzz with expressions of relief and excitement that the Russell Pearce era has ended.

Will Hispanic Mormons support Romney in 2012?

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:55:00 -0600

source: bbc.co.uk

Mormon Life says: Romney shouldn't take Hispanic Mormons for granted, as Hispanic voters have traditionally gone for Democratic candidates. As Mitt Romney remains a front-runner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, his Mormon faith has come under increased scrutiny.

But one aspect of the Mormon community's changing face has passed mostly unnoticed: a rapid growth of conversions by Hispanic immigrants.

According to some estimates, by 2025 Hispanics will be the majority within the Mormon faith, which has expanded from its original core of largely white members located mostly in Utah.

LDS forum explores immigration challenge

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:03:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

As the immigration debate has exploded into the American political consciousness, so has the internal turmoil for many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mormon teachings press the faithful to be both compassionate and law-abiding, while current government policies seem to make the two goals mutually exclusive, a theme struck over and over at Saturday’s Sunstone Symposium: "Choose the Right — But Which is Right?

Robert Crawford and five other panelists described how they have reconciled the question by applying their personal experiences, church teachings and some critical thought to an issue that defies a simple conclusion.

Immigrant LDS leaders face tough struggle

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:43:00 -0600

source: universe.byu.edu

The recent arrest and deportation of two LDS Spanish-speaking branch presidents underscores the ongoing debate between justice and mercy on immigration issues.

Manuel Antonio Carias-Odonez, a Guatemala native, served as president of the South Cache Spanish-speaking branch in Hyrum.

Carias-Odonez was arrested May 20 and put in jail for two weeks. After many investigations related to his case he was sent to Arizona and finally deported to Guatemala on June 13.

2 LDS branch presidents in Utah deported

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:57:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Considering all that had happened to her family in the past 24 hours, Aracely Carias is the picture of calm.

Her husband, Manuel Antonio Carias-Odonez, who had been president of the LDS Church's South Cache Spanish-speaking branch, was deported to his native Guatemala on Monday.

"They sent him to Arizona all chained up like he was a robber or something," Carias said in a telephone interview.

The couple's youngest children, ages 18, 14 and 8, are worried about their father and about a future that will likely mean moving to Guatemala to keep the family together.

"It's really stressful, especially for my kids. They really need their dad," Carias said.

Carias-Odonez had been detained in the Weber County Jail on an immigration hold since May 20. He was released to federal immigration officials on June 9.

Carias is planning what to do next. She is committed to keeping her family together. That means they will have to leave the United States for an uncertain future in country that is unfamiliar to them. Her husband was trained as a physician and she as a teacher so they should be able to make a living. For that matter, Carias-Odonez was underemployed while living in the United States.

"We've been compensated with the tranquility of this place," she said. "We just love this place because there is no violence. There is a lot of violence there."

Both sides like LDS Church's statement on immigration law

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:51:00 -0600

source: heraldextra.com

Both sides of the immigration debate are calling The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' statement on immigration a positive for them.

The LDS Church released a statement on Friday that said it discourages its members from overstaying a visa or entering any country without legal documentation. It went on to say that the church is concerned with any state legislation that contains only enforcement provisions, such as the Arizona immigration enforcement law, and showed what appears to be a sign of support of the guest worker program contained in Utah's House Bill 116, which is set to go into effect in 2013.

"The church supports an approach where undocumented immigrants are allowed to square themselves with the law and continue to work without this necessarily leading to citizenship," said the statement issued by the church's public affairs department.

The statement also goes on to say that the issue will ultimately need to be resolved by the federal government.

The Justified Breaking of Unjust Laws

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:14:00 -0600

source: ldsliberty.org

Mormon Life says: Interesting perspective from this blogger. Last week, the LDS Church released an updated statement on immigration. A portion of the article seems to support amnesty (which is a good thing) in advocating an approach to immigration in which “undocumented immigrants are allowed to square themselves with the law and continue to work…”

This means, of course, that the law must be changed in order to make an illegal person un-illegal. Thus, the primary offender in this relationship is not the individual, but the unjust law.

LDS Church issues new immigration statement

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:26:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today issued the following official statement on immigration:

Around the world, debate on the immigration question has become intense. That is especially so in the United States. Most Americans agree that the federal government of the United States should secure its borders and sharply reduce or eliminate the flow of undocumented immigrants. Unchecked and unregulated, such a flow may destabilize society and ultimately become unsustainable.

As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.

Mormon church divided on immigration

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:31:00 -0600

source: huffingtonpost.com

For decades, Mormon conservatives have believed their politics matched the positions of their church: opposing abortion, the Equal Rights Amendment and same-sex marriage, for example.

But now comes an issue that puts the two seemingly at odds: immigration.

The Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called for compassion when dealing with undocumented immigrants. It has urged politicians not to divide families, while some members support detention and deportation.

LDS Church has duty to protect missionaries

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:01:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

As the angst continues to swirl within Utah Republican circles over the LDS Church’s increasingly apparent support of the Legislature’s package of immigration bills that includes a guest-worker provision, there is an elephant-in-the-room component that everyone seems to be missing.

The LDS Church has as big a stake in this debate as any institution or association. Therefore, despite those who cry foul over the church’s support of more humanitarian solutions than an Arizona-style enforcement-only law, church officials and lobbyists not only had a right to get involved at the legislative level, it had an obligation to do so.

Approximately 16,000 LDS missionaries currently are serving in Latin America — about 3,600 in Mexico alone. The legislators who criticize the church’s involvement claim that a large percentage of the immigrant Mormon converts living in Utah are here illegally.

2 BYU studies conflict over influence of Mormon church in shaping immigration views

Mon, 02 May 2011 09:33:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

A pair of recent Brigham Young University studies paint a conflicting picture about how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has influenced Utah's immigration debate.

One study suggests church members softened their views on immigration reform after the LDS Church released a statement in November calling on legislators to keep families together and remember immigrants economic contributions. The other indicates that, as of early April, members were still confused about the church's viewpoint on immigration reform and tended to interpret the church's opinion through the lens of previously established attitudes.

"There are institutions and political figures in any environment that have influence of public opinion," said Quin Monson, associate director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU. "In Utah, that's as true for the LDS Church and its members as it is for influential Republican leaders and Republican voters."

For his report, which was published this month on utahdatapoints.com, Monson analyzed data from voter polls in October 2010 and January 2011. In November, a group of religious, political and business leaders got together and wrote the Utah Compact, a document that called for a "humane" approach to immigration reform that would keep families together and recognize immigrant contributions to the economy. Shortly afterward, the LDS Church issued a statement of support.

Don't Fall in Love with the Children

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 10:33:00 -0600

by Cathy Geigle
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Thirty years later, an adopted son returns to his old Philippines orphanage to adopt a child of his own.

A warm rush ran through James’ body as the taxi pulled up to the front doors of the Philippines orphanage where he’d spent his first eight months of life. An old black-and-white photograph attached to his birth certificate was all he’d seen of the Hospicio de San Jose in the past 30 years, but his heart confirmed the importance of this visit.

“I felt an incredibly strong impression I knew could come from only one place. It told me to be prepared to have a great deal of information revealed to me during these next few days,” James wrote.

Thirty years earlier, James Badham had been adopted by an American family and brought to the United States. An unexpected business trip to the Philippines allowed him to return to the orphanage.

“I remember getting off the plane in awe, thinking to myself that never in my wildest imagination did I think I would have had the opportunity to return to the Philippines, yet here I was in the land of my heritage,” James recalled.

Entering the orphanage, he was greeted by Catholic sisters who took him on a room-to-room tour. When he was escorted to the nursery, he saw the same cribs and thin mats he’d slept on 30 years before when, as a sickly baby, he was adopted by his new mother.

As James looked upon the orphan children, the sisters gave him the same counsel they’d given his mother many years before. “Don’t fall in love with the children,” they said. “It will hurt too much to leave them.”

Strong Promptings

But it was too late. As he played with and hugged those loving little babies, he felt as if they’d been his from the beginning. In a moment of reflection, he realized that the principles of the gospel, instilled in his own heart from childhood, allowed him to feel a profound love for these children. He loved them as individuals and children of God, and he knew he had an important mission to fulfill.

“I probably had as many spiritual experiences in those few days as I’d had in my whole full-time mission in Honduras. It was almost like ‘do this’ and ‘do that.’ It was that strong,” Badham said. “My eyes filled with tears knowing that not long ago it was me being held by another who’d felt the same thing.”

As he hugged and looked upon the little orphans, James’ thoughts turned to his own family back in the states. He thought of his wife Jennifer and their three children. Then he thought of his unborn baby who’d died in the womb a few months earlier without having the chance to come to earth.

As Jennifer recalls, “It took us a year and a half to get pregnant, and we were overjoyed when it finally happened. Just 19 weeks into the pregnancy, we learned that the baby’s heart had stopped beating and we had lost our child. Our hearts were broken.”

The miscarriage sparked an interest, but it wasn’t until a business trip that they seriously considered adoption. Scheduled for the very month she would’ve given birth, James would have been with her instead of going to the Philippines.

After two days spent visiting the orphanage, it was time for James to return home. “I stood and faced the front of the Hospicio de San Jose, pondering on the short visit and the experiences I’d just had. My heart filled with great emotion and I had tears in my eyes—and once again the Holy Ghost came and comforted me.” Immediately upon his return, James related his experience. He and Jennifer began researching to learn all they could about adoption so they, too, could bring one of those children home.

The Badhams searched, and finally found an adoption agency they wanted to work with. “We went to our first meeting and found that it would cost nearly $15,000 to adopt from the Philippines. We went home disappointed. It would take us at least a few years to come up with that much money,” Jennifer wrote.

'A God of Miracles'

While expense was disheartening, James and Jennifer decided they still wanted to do something to help the orphanage during Christmas. They began a fundraiser and wired the $4,400 they collected to the humanitarian missionaries in Manila. They missionaries took the children to a department store and let them pick out their own Christmas presents. The missionaries were also able to buy a DVD player and some movies for the handicapped children, as well as a few computers for educational use.

A week later, the missionaries went to the orphanage to sing songs and celebrate Christmas with the children and the orphanage staff. “It touched our hearts and the hearts of others to watch the video of these missionaries singing ‘I am a Child of God’ to God’s most precious gifts—His children. Oh, how we wish we could have been there,” Jennifer wrote.

While adoption seemed so far away, it remained constantly in their thoughts. In an act of faith, they decided to start filling out the papers right after Christmas, even though they didn’t have the needed money.

Not long after that decision, James lost his job. It seemed yet another setback in their plans, but they didn’t lose faith. Friends and neighbors helped in the job search and offered prayers in their behalf.

Then a miracle happened. “James came in from getting the mail and called me down to the office. He handed me a $10,000 check that had anonymously arrived in the mail,” Jennifer wrote. Adding up the adoption fees, they discovered they now had enough money to cover them.

An Act of Faith

“How many of us say to ourselves, ‘If I were only a multimillionaire, what could I do?’ I’ve felt the Spirit say to me, ‘First, I want to see what you will do without it. Will you give all that you have, even though you don’t have much right now?’ The test is now. Are we like the widow who cast in her mite? Will we give all that we have?” Not long after receiving the check in the mail, James found a job. The job was not only better but paid more as well.

“I was raised in a land of opportunity, but the greatest blessing is that I have the Gospel, and that has given me eternal freedom,” James said. “The adoption allows me to provide this opportunity for someone else. ‘How great shall be your joy’—adopting a child into a covenant family is exactly that.”

James likes to ask himself this question: “‘What am I willing to sacrifice?’ Most people have to really get on their knees,” he said. “I want to be able to reach out and help somebody. You only need to ask, ‘Lord, am I doing it the right way?’ He will consecrate those efforts. Then we will begin to fulfill President Hinckley’s counsel to ‘get out of your comfort zone and watch yourself grow.’”