Immigration matters of law

“Archbishop calls on Catholics to embrace evolving church” (CR, Oct. 28) quotes Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien as saying that xenophobia exists in “some of our own Catholic people.” That may be true, but he should avoid characterizing as xenophobic the vast majority of people who oppose illegal immigration. To do so is unfair and uncharitable. Most of those same people have no problem with legal immigrants. Consider: if an intruder sneaks into my home in the middle of the night, am I expected to welcome him as a member of my family? Feed him? Clothe him? Provide him with health insurance? Pay him “under the table” for menial work around the house?