To the editor:
During the recent Public Policy weekend, the Bishops asked parishioners to sign a petition encouraging Congress to pass the so-called Dream Act of 2017 (S. 1615). But, why would the Bishops — or anyone for that matter — support this legislation which allows convicted sex offenders, including those deemed serious enough to be on the sex offender registry, to be immune from deportation and be granted citizenship?
The Dream Act of 2017 only disqualifies those convicted of felonies (see §3[1][c]{iii}), but, New York, like other states, classifies many sex offender crimes as misdemeanors including crimes involving sexual intercourse without consent, with persons less than 14 years old or forcible sexual contact (NY Penal Law §130.20; §130.60; §130.52). Those crimes land the convicted sex offender of New York Sex Offender Registry (NY Correction Law § 168-a[2]).
The Bishops are committed to protecting children and the young from sexual abuse in the Church via the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” but why does that concern and committment not apply to those outside the Church?
J.L. Gelormini
Wood Run, Rochester
