How does prayer factor into immigration issues?

BY ELIZABETH MATA

Immigration —enrichment, survival, threat? It's a subject that's being debated in many parts of the world and has been highlighted by recent violence in areas around Johannesburg, South Africa. There, immigrants who have fled other African countries for safety and a better life, have been beaten and killed by crowds of South Africans, whose lives often aren't that much better than the immigrants.'

I split my time between Spain and the United States, both of which have their own immigration pressures to deal with. Last year about 31,000 Africans in more than 900 boats headed for the Canary Islands in Spain, the prime gateway to Europe. About 6,000 died or disappeared, according to the United Nations estimates, leaving behind destitute families. Others have been deported.

Meanwhile, in Waukegan, Illinois, north of Chicago, thousands of illegal immigrants fear they will be found out and sent out of the country. Stories abound of immigrants who tried to legally enter the United States but were thwarted by backlogs, bureaucratic procedures, and delays.

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