Immigration Reform News 2015: New Archbishop John Wester Urges Respect for Undocumented Immigrants

Newly appointed Archbishop John Wester has appealed to Americans to respect undocumented immigrants and reform themselves.

"Reform has to begin with me," Wester told the Utah League of Women Voters, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Wester, the 64-year-old former bishop of Salt Lake City who was recently appointed by Pope Francis as archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, said Americans should be more understanding in the ongoing debate about immigration.

He said undocumented immigrants once told him that they were treated like animals or insects.

The undocumented immigrants, he said, are not "insects or waves of pestilence crossing our borders. They are human beings."

"They are fleeing very difficult situations," Wester said.

He appealed to people to have more respectful language in debates, including the use of the derogatory word "illegals."

The archbishop said the root causes of immigration should be tackled.

"Why are people drowning in the Mediterranean by the hundreds? Why would people do that? It doesn't make sense. ... What are the socioeconomic causes?" he asked.

He said the U.S. should be part of the solution to the problem. "Our country has to look at these root causes, and be part of the solution, be willing to engage other countries so we will be able to stem the tide," he said.

Undocumented immigrants are an intense issue between the Obama administration and Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Several states have filed a lawsuit against President Obama's immigration executive actions which he issued last November. These are the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents.

Wester said people should listen to immigrants' stories. "That makes all the difference," he said.

He conceded that the immigration issue is difficult to tackle. He admitted that he often receives emails from Catholics telling him to leave the church because of his views on undocumented immigrants.

Wester urged a compromise when it comes to undocumented immigrants. "The legislation that is either all enforcement or all humane provisions is not going to work. I think there has to be a blend of enforcement and humane provisions, a compromise," he said. "We have to bring people toward the middle."