I think it was k who asked me about the role Catholicism played in this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/27/national/27immig.html
quote:
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One of the most powerful institutions behind the wave of public protests has been the Roman Catholic Church, lending organizational muscle to a spreading network of grass-roots coalitions. In recent weeks, the church has unleashed an army of priests and parishioners to push for the legalization of the nation's illegal immigrants, sending thousands of postcards to members of Congress and thousands of parishioners into the streets.
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NOTE the use of term "illegal immigrant" by the NY Times. No such thing folks. But that's what their editors demand.