True North

Many of you are familiar with a political action committee known as ISAIAH. Their stated mission is to "envision a world of economic and racial justice". Wonderful. Everyone loves justice, it's definition can be problematic sometimes.

One of their promotional materials found at my church which I shall not name details many of the activities being pursued by ISAIAH. One in particular caught my eye.

Immigration and the Northwest Suburbs: The Power of the Collective
Three congregations from Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center (have joined) in a powerful anti-racism effort that beautifully compliments the work of immigrant congregations within ISAIAH. (These congregations) decided to add immigration issues to their social justice agenda and met with dozens of businesspeople in their communities who employ undocumented immigrant workers.

They organized some of these businesspeople to tell their stories to MN Congressional leaders. Businesspeople will express their concerns in private, but shy away from talking with politicians because they don't want to attract the attention of the INS.

Ever so carefully, ISAIAH leaders in the northwestern suburbs created relationships of trust and a relatively safe process for businesspeople to say directly to our Congressional leaders "Hey, I'm dependent on these undocumented workers, and the harder it gets for them to stay in this country, the harder it is for me to maintain my company."

I know many people deeply involved with ISAIAH. They are good, well intentioned folks. The well intentioned are, however, easily co-opted. Say it with me now: They are NOT undocumented workers, they are illegal aliens. They have broken the law coming here. I will not even address what effect this has on domestic labor value. It's just wrong.

As for those bleeping bleeps who are "dependent" on illegal labor, I must ask why they feel they are entitled to break the law by submitting fraudulent Social Security and Income Tax withholding statements.

If ISAIAH really want to help businesses, might I suggest they lobby our Congressional leaders to repeal onerous taxes and regulations that force them to break the law just to make a buck.