WASHINGTON (RNS) Christian leaders, including three members of President Obama’s faith advisory council, on Wednesday (June 10) pushed the president to make good on his promise of comprehensive immigration reform.
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Noel Castellanos, the Rev. Vashti McKenzie and the Rev. Jim Wallis of the group Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) said immigration reform must have the same high-level priority as the government’s focus on banks, auto companies and healthcare.
“Whether we came to this country by choice, by chance, by capture, we have to proceed. This is the urgency of the now,” said McKenzie, a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Wallis, Castellanos and McKenzie all hold seats on the White House’s faith advisory council. Rodriguez is president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.
CCIR released a statement asking the president to back legislation that would reduce waiting times for immigrants separated from their families; to provide a process for foreign-born workers and their families already in the U.S. to earn citizenship; to expand legal avenues for workers and families to enter the U.S.; and to examine solutions to the root causes of migration.
Wallis, founder of the progressive evangelical group Sojourners, said immigration enforcement must comply with humanitarian values.
“Those principles will guide the process,” he said.
Wallis said he supported safe sanctuary of immigrants who use houses of worship as asylum from deportation, saying “the church has a history of not waiting for legislation.”
Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association agreed that “Christians are going to do whatever it takes to help their neighbor. I think it pushes us to look at what our national laws are.”
By Lindsay Perna
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted June 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm
It’s a tough nut and with all the other guano left on his plate by Bush and his Republican cronies I wouldn’t blame Obama for trying to avoid it, but he won’t be allowed to avoid it for long.
At a minimum he should pick the low hanging fruit that all the reasonable people agree on. Probably better for everyone if they just do it all and get it over with.
posted June 10, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I really don’t think this issue is a product of the Bush admin but a liberal residue.
posted June 10, 2009 at 7:19 pm
You are right nnmns President Obama has many sores to heal all over the U.S. Easy ones first: Sign the Hate Crime Bill, put a brake on dismissing anymore Gay Troops while the DADT is being finalized by the Military and President obama. The Immigration problems should be worked out with much care and consideration by President Obama’s people he chose for this purpose. It should not be emotionally hurried by the Churches or anyone else.
posted June 10, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Here’s a reasoned Biblical view on immigration. Legal immigration = good. Illegal immigration = bad.
posted June 11, 2009 at 8:42 am
Agreed. Obama has to dig himself out of the mess that was left for him. He will not be able to ignore Immigration Law for long.
posted June 11, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Mike: Very interesting acedemic argument. I totally disagree though.
The church leaders in this article are advocating for new laws, laws that are more aligned with their Christian values. This would change the definition of “legal” versus “illegal”.
Even then, since nations and their immigration laws are the creation of man and not anywhere related to the laws of God, your characterization of “legal = good” and “illegal = bad” is not grounded in Christian principles.
A strict implementation of God’s law in this area would be to do away with any control of immigration and have open borders. I mean, imagine yourself at St. Peter’s gate, explaining why you felt it was necessary to prevent one of God’s children from going to any place on God’s earth that he wanted?
That is a very radical idea and will never happen. But, academic arguments supported by linguistic nuance cannot erase the fact that totally open borders is the only thing in line with God’s law.
We all have a different agenda on this item and none of us is in line with God. Even these religious leaders are only making token movements in the right direction.
posted June 11, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I hear a lot about illegal immigrants or undocumented aliens committing crimes, the only crime they commit is that they over stay their visa or they come to this county looking for better life for their kids. I guess our great grandparents or our parents did the same. For the crime they commit they suffer a lot too, they walk through desert for miles, they are exploited by their employers for years, they do not have no benefits or driving licenses. They are treated like 21st century slaves in America.
Even hardcore criminals in USA like child rapist or bank robber break the laws and are punished for 3-5 years and allowed to live freely.
As soon as they come to the United States, undocumented workers start desperately seeking for job opportunities to sustain and provide a better life for their families-the very reason for migrating. And of course, employers are more than happy to take advantage of the availability of this vulnerable and desperate pool of workers. Conveniently, employers create low-quality jobs that immigrants are forced to take because their immigration status prevents them from getting or demanding good jobs. While working, undocumented workers endure unfair treatment and wages because they fear being fired or reported to immigration.
We need to bring them out of Shadow, Yes We Can
The Congress must pass a comprehensive immigration reform this year. It is disgusting that in the XXI century America millions have absolutely no rights. They speak English, work hard, and most of them pay taxes. They are not all criminals, yes hardcore criminals must be removed from USA. Stop the hatred! I am ashamed to call myslef an American in such circumstances.
Also please visit American Immigration Lawyers Association website and fill up the foam to show your support
and tell/ask your friends and family to do the same.
http://capwiz.com/aila2/issues/alert/?alertid=13300836&type=CO
posted July 25, 2009 at 10:10 pm
As soon as they come to the United States, undocumented workers start desperately seeking for job opportunities to sustain and provide a better life for their families-the very reason for migrating. And of course, employers are more than happy to take advantage of the availability of this vulnerable and desperate pool of workers. Conveniently, employers create low-quality jobs that immigrants are forced to take because their immigration status prevents them from getting or demanding good jobs. While working, undocumented workers endure unfair treatment and wages because they fear being fired or reported to immigration.
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