By Kevin Clark, Crisis Magazine - the Catechism of the Catholic Church, states, “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able…” (#2241)… The phrase “to the extent they are able” is obviously a prudential judgment, and as such would need to be exercised by legitimate political authority. The ability of a country to accept immigrants would not be limited by mere physical space, or even by economic opportunities, but also by such issues as the ability to assimilate immigrants in such a way as to maintain peace and social cohesion.