Ethics of Immigration

The May 2008 First Things contains an exchange between me and William Chip on immigration.  Here is how FT's Jody Bottum  describes it:

"Surprisingly, some of First Things’ readers prefer sharp-edged commentary on the public issues of the day, and if sharp edges are what you want, the May issue features “The Ethics of Immigration,” a strong exchange between William Chip and Michael Scaperlanda. “Is a country that cannot handle its responsibilities to its native workforce in the face of massive economic migration at least capable of fulfilling its moral obligations toward the migrants themselves?” asks Chip. “Data from reliable government sources indicate that we are manifestly incapable of ensuring the successful social and economic assimilation of the enormous numbers that are actually arriving today.”

But Scaperlanda replies: “William Chip’s disagreement with the Church (and me) is not over faith or morals but over economic analysis. . . . If I am correct in my assessment, America continues to be one of those prosperous nations with an obligation to welcome the stranger journeying here in search of economic security.”"

The issue also contains an excellent essay by Cardinal Dulles entitled "The Freedom of Theology," which is relevant to our discussions on academic freedom.  More on that subject later.