The Salvation Army and the Outreach Program Inc., a charity that distributes toys for the Houston Fire Department, are now checking the immigration status of children receiving toys this year. Both the Salvation Army and the HFD have a long history of charitable action. I would ring the Christmas bell for the Salvation Army during my college years. I also try to give to the boot for the Fire Department as well. These organizations for years have done exceptional work with helping the poor and needy of our community or in the case of the Salvation Army, around the nation. I was shocked to read that these organizations are now punishing children for the actions of their parents. According to Lorugene Young of Outreach Program Inc.
"The point isn't to punish the children but to ensure that their parents are either citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents, said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. is one of three groups that distribute toys collected by firefighters.
"It's not our desire to turn anyone down," she said. "Those kids are not responsible if they are here illegally. It is the parents' responsibility.""
So it seems they are not trying to punish children but punish their parents through their children. Apparently, the difference is lost to the Hispanic Firefighters Caucus and the Catholic Charities since they do not require proof of immigration status. The HFD claims that they do not control how toys are distribute but that is a cop out. They do control how these toys are distributed because they can withdraw their support. Executive Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan claims that even if no identification is presented no one will be turned away. My question is then why ask for it in the first place if you are going to let them in anyway? The Salvation Army claims to require that only one sibling be a citizen for the family to be eligible. That is not good enough in my opinion.
Christmas is a time of loving our fellow man and celebrating our lord's birth. I will not contribute to either of these charities and the others mentioned in the article that require proof of immigration till their policies change. Children should not be used as a tool to make political statements and that is exactly what these organizations are doing. The Houston Police Department's Blue Santa program does not check immigration status and distributes to those in need.
Wow...I guess handing out toys to the children of illegal immigrants can only lead to...socialism!
Who knew God was an American?
No, no...you are giving them too much credit. In their eyes, Christian charity only applies to white, Murrican, Republican-voting, Tea Party-attending, Christians.
All others need not apply. When will they start posting their signs on drinking fountains?
Christian charity only applies to American citizens?
Normally the Salvation Army has been our choice of charities to support during this time of year. That won't be happening this year, we will find one that doesn't discriminate. Children do not pick their parents and a little kid even here illegally deserves a toy and a smile. Seems like Conservatives always need a scapegoat to blame for problems of their own creation, not unlike the Jew were treated in Germany.
This story was posted on the Chron and I almost gagged with all the responses from people (illegal haters) who praised the decision. This is really the lowest of the low. The children are innnocent and even if the parents are illegal aliens, what is the damn difference? It's a toy! Some people have no hearts let alone a soul. So much for their Christian charity, right? These are the same people who are complaining about poor, unemployed working Americans receiving food stamps. God help us.
Bah! Humbug!
It isn't the parents who will have to do without the toys, because of this type of bigotry, and discrimination, -- it will be the kids.
And... the Salvation Army will, from now on, have to do without my support.
What an absolutely "uncharitable", "un-Christian" attitude to have.
Who died, and appointed them to police immigrants?
artemusg wrote:
The SA says the collection of SSN was only to prevent fraud.
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What kinda fraud are they trying to prevent? Are people going there pretending to be kids? Plus how does identification reveal that you are in need.
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Things that make you go.....hmmmm.
Bubba, these conservatives would have demanded that Joseph and Mary turn around and "go back where they came from! We don't want no scum from Nazareth in here, taking our jobs and getting our social security!"
Carol, this is just more of their typical "love thy neighbor...as long as thy neighbor is white, American, and rightwing who looks like me and votes like me. All others can go straight to hell" nonsense.
Actions speak loudly and their actions AND their words don't proclaim any love for their fellow man.
Damn. They even have to shove politics into giving gifts to children.
No matter how you look at it, that's just lower than a snake's butt.
Um, wasn't Jesus born in a manger because "there was no room at the inn"?
Irony gene must coexist with the compassion gene as both are missing from the haters' "Christmas spirit".
So much for the season of giving huh? I have supported the Salvation Army for decades. They are the only charity that I give to without fail every year and I was disgusted to find out that they do this. Frankly, it pisses me off. How can they be so mean spirited? Why am I thinking that Jesus wouldn't be standing at the entrance asking little kids for their fucking papers?
Sounds like it's time for more letter writing.
Salvation Army just lost my money. I'll find someone more deserving.
The SA says the collection of SSN was only to prevent fraud. Perhaps. Me, I just give toys through my church. I feel quite confident we don't check citizenship status or ask for Social Security numbers.
Still, as if we needed to see it, this is just more evidence we are becoming a society that is more mean and more angry. Thank you, Grinch - I mean, conservatives.
WTH? You have to be kidding me!
Good Lord, what in the world happened to caring for our fellow man (or woman or child?
I daresay, Jesus would not be amused.