Does Jeff Schwilk really expect us to accept his Community Forum ideas as the truth ("Churches opt to ignore immigration laws," July 23)? If someone wishes to discuss the law and legality, they at least have to try to get it right.

For one thing, people who hire day laborers are not required to ask for citizenship papers or Social Security cards. It's the law, Mr. Schwilk. To say otherwise is just untrue. Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations specifically defines "casual employment by individuals who provide domestic service in a private home that is sporadic, irregular or intermittent" as exempt from employer responsibilities and sanctions.

The other crime of "harboring, aiding and abetting" anyone here illegally only applies if you actually know someone is here illegally. They must come right out and tell you this. The law was used by our federal government in the 1980s against the homegrown Sanctuary movement, which was a political protest against our policies in El Salvador and other Central American countries. That law was used as a threat by our government against certain churches for political reasons.

A church is also not required to ask for citizenship papers when offering social services to anyone. It may run a soup kitchen,

charity programs or employment services without having to ask the residency status of whomever it helps.

I also would like to comment on Schwilk's attempt to defame Enrique Morones. Mr. Morones founded Border Angels in 1986 in order to try to cut down on the increasing deaths in the deserts of the Southwest by setting up and stocking emergency water and food stations. Mr. Morones and his program have probably saved hundreds if not thousands of lives. Apparently the worst thing Mr. Schwilk can say about him is that he is a Catholic caught in the act of giving Communion to parishioners at a Protestant church.

Again, it is not a crime to hire anyone for day labor. Vista even gives out permits for it, as I am sure Mr. Schwilk already knows. We as citizens have absolutely no obligation to judge for ourselves whether someone is a legal resident of this great nation or not -- especially when it is based on whether they look "Mexican" or not.

Eric Parish lives in Vista.