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Thursday, July 26, 2007

Illegal Immigration


The weekend that I arrived in America, everyone was talking about Bush’s controversial immigration bill.

If passed, the bill would have overhauled many of America’s current restrictions against illegal immigrants. It would have allowed the 12 million + aliens, now living in the U.S., to eventually gain citizenship. Once citizens, these people would be allowed to vote, potentially leading to even looser immigration laws.

According to one figure, 12% of Mexico’s population are now living in the United States illegally. Whether or not that is correct, illegal immigration is clearly one of the biggest problems America is currently facing. Although the government could easily stop the influx by building a wall along the Mexican border, or simply enforcing existing laws, they have generally turned a blind eye to the problem. Since illegal immigrants are willing to work for less than minimum wage, powerful businesses have lobbied against tighter restrictions.

Although construction companies may welcome crowds of illegal immigrants, the tax-payers are mad. The medical insurance of honest people has had to sky rocket to cover the free hospital care that illegal immigrants somehow qualify for.

Meanwhile, it is those who want to immigrate legally who are facing the real difficulties. In order for my wife (who, unlike me, is not a US citizen) to move to America, we have had to go through an expensive 8-month long process of paperwork, which will culminate with an interview at the American embassy next month. During that appointment an immigration officer will determine whether she will be granted a visa to come and join me.

While illegal immigrants are bankrupting the system by leeching public benefits, Esther is required to have an America sponsor who promises to pay back whatever she uses of public means. (I don’t count as the primary sponsor because I haven’t worked in the United States long enough.)

‘It would be a lot easier’ someone said to me the other day, ‘if you would just fly Esther and the children into Tijuana and then bring them up illegally.’

It would be a lot easier. Nevertheless, as a Christian I don’t regret doing things the legal way. I still believe that Shakespeare hit on something when he wrote ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ I would only want to add that honesty certainly isn’t the easiest policy, especially in America.
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Friday, July 20, 2007

Sponsorship Found

In a previous post I explained about the problem I was facing finding sponsors for my family so that they could join me in America. I am pleased to announce that that is no longer a problem, as today two people have kindly come forward. I am very thankful to the Lord for that.

I also have a house that I should be able to move into on August 1st, and God-willing my family will be able to join me sometime before the 1st of September.

I appreciate all the support and prayers.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

New Perspective on Paul

Since being in America, the subject of N.T. Wright and the notorious 'New Perspective on Paul' has come up more than a little. I have just edited and added to the article I wrote on the NPP last year and would recommend it as a starting point for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating subject. Click HERE.