Obey the rule of law

Re: your July 9 article, "Simi church to shelter illegal immigrants":

As a retired attorney, I read with total disbelief United Church of Christ members' message to the world, to wit: Reward the wrongdoers.

The United States is a country founded on the rule of law. This church chooses to intentionally ignore not only the law, but also the opinion of some 80 percent of the population. One cannot pick and choose what laws to ignore and which ones to obey.

I can't wait to see the reports when law enforcement seeks to do its sworn duty by removing the "tenants" from chuch property pursuant to court order.

By the way, beware the IRS tax- exempt status.

— William J. Tewksbury,

Simi Valley

Let's open our arms

Re: your July 9 article, "Simi church to shelter illegal immigrants":

Bravo to the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley for offering sanctuary. I must salute its members and its leadership.

As I rabbi, I recall the many times that immigration laws were used to exclude our people. How many died in the Holocaust because of narrow-mindedness by American citizens, whose ancestors were themselves immigrants?

How dare we tear apart families, many of whose children are American citizens? Let us open our arms to those who in the past have helped us to make this nation what it is, and who in the present and the future will make it even greater.

Let us remember the words on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

— Rabbi John M. Sherwood,

Rabbi emeritus, Temple Emet,

Oxnard

A courageous decision

Re: your July 9 article, "Simi church to shelter illegal immigrants":

I was inspired to read about the courageous decision of the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley to shelter illegal immigrants whose families are in danger of being torn apart by deportation.

Church members are acting in a way truly worthy of the description "Christian." They are following the example of Jesus Christ, who was an advocate for the victims and outcasts of his society and even said: However we treat them, we treat him (Matthew 25).

I am sure church members are also well aware of where Jesus' confrontation with the powerful and care for the poor and marginalized landed him — on the cross. They surely considered the possibility they would also be "crucified" by modern means: hostile letters to the editor; angry hate mail to their church; threats to their persons and property; loss of financial support from those who disagree; and, yes, possibly even a loss of their tax-exempt status.

They are all the more to be commended because they looked those risks in the eye and still made their choice to be true followers of Jesus.

We all know there is a desperate need for our country to create and implement a just and equitable immigration policy, but it is the responsibility of Christians, all people of faith, and humanists to make sure real human beings and families are not destroyed in the process. The New Sanctuary Movement is about protecting the unity of families. Parents of children who are United States citizens should not be deported.

Thank you, Simi Valley UCC, for your courage and willingness to act prophetically in this time.

— The Rev. Julie Morris,

Priest-in-charge at Fillmore's Trinity Episcopal Church,

Camarillo

Costs of convictions

Re: your July 9 article, "Simi church to shelter illegal immigrants":

Members of the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley have decided to offer sanctuary to illegal immigrants who have been scheduled for deportation. I strongly support people listening to their consciences and acting upon their convictions.

My hope is that the strength of their convictions, and the dictates of their consciences, will extend to reimbursing the school district for the cost of educating the children. Hopefully, they will also pay for any health costs or public services the illegal aliens may require as well. As a nonprofit organization, their church pays no taxes to help underwrite these expenses.

I would also hope that, should anyone else be damaged by the presence of the illegal aliens they harbor, perhaps in a traffic accident or through the commission of a crime, that the congregation will also reimburse the victims for their costs, either fiscal or physical.

These are, remember, people who have already committed two crimes, at least — the crime of illegally entering the U.S., and of violating a court order to appear for deportation.

I wonder if they have considered the long-term impacts to Mexico of their actions. By helping prevent the deportation of illegal immigrants, they deny Mexico the seed of a middle class. That would be a middle class composed in part of their children educated at U.S. expense and accustomed to a U.S. standard of government.

If encouraged to return with their deported parents, these kids could grow into a powerful voice in Mexico to reform the corruption there and create employment for Mexico's people, thus ending the prime motive for illegal migration and negating the need for sanctuary in general. Saving a whole country, now that is something I could get my conscience around.

— Gary Hartjen,

Simi Valley