WASHINGTON (RNS) On the heels of a rally on the National Mall by immigration reform advocates, religious leaders met at the White House on Monday (March 22) to plot strategy despite a packed election-year political calendar.
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said Latino Christians are frustrated with the slow pace of change on immigration reform, along with growing numbers of deportations.
Still, Rodriguez said he hopes President Obama will use some of the same strategies he used with health care reform — including a national address — to also succeed on immigration reform.
“It’s time to get to work and see some outcomes,” Rodriguez said.
The Rev. Jim Wallis, president of the anti-poverty group Sojourners, said the faith community is ready to help Obama mobilize the grass roots.
“There has never been more unity on this issue in the faith community,” said Wallis, describing the commitment from the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, Catholic and Jewish leaders who participated in Monday’s meeting.
“This is not a Hispanic issue,” he said. “This is a faith issue.
This is a family issue.”
With the attention on health care in recent months and continuing focus on efforts to spur job creation, the leaders acknowledged the need for pragmatism by the White House. But they hope immigration reform can be addressed before the mid-term elections in November.
“Things happen in God’s time,” said the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president of the National Council of Churches, as a loud thunderclap rang out above the White House.
“I think God’s time is about care for the neighbor, and it’s time for that.”
By Adelle M. Banks
Copyright 2010 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted March 22, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Its hardly not surprising that people don’t realize the ramifications of another AMNESTY? Even if it was true that their were only 11 million illegal immigrants in this nation? (The true number is somewhere between 20 and 30 million) The catch 22 is that once granted Amnesty and those legitimized they can then sponsor immediate family members. Since 1965, between 50 and 70 percent of U.S. immigrant visas distributed yearly have been allotted to close family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.One of the reasons is chain migration. In chain migration, one immigrant sponsors several other immigrants for admission, who then sponsor several others themselves,multiply, duplicating and and on. Chain migration happens because present U.S. immigration policy is based on the principle of broadly defined family reunification; immigrants are able to sponsor their relatives back home to be admitted as immigrants here. The illegal aliens given amnesty by Congress in 1986 (The Simpson-Mazzoli Bill) are now fueling naturalization in huge record numbers. (Americas population is around 315 million)
If AMNESTY is forced through in 2010 former illegal aliens become citizens, all of their immediate relatives qualify to depart immediately to the United States, and start new migration chains of their own. The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform (USCIR) studied the issue of chain migration and proposed limiting family-sponsored immigration to only the spouse and minor children of a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (LPR) and the parents of a U.S. citizen (AS LONG AS THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY A SPONSOR. So even if it was true there were only 11 million illegal aliens in the country, they majority could sponsor close family members. But the truth is, once here the sponsorship is ignored) and millions of family members have to rely on welfare to exist? Older family members, the sick, disabled who have never paid into Social Security, can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Just multiply the numbers of new immigrants that can be sponsored. Somewhere around 60 to 70 million new faces, that taxpayers in most cases will eventually have to support? This is just another incredulous financial impact, that taxpayers will have to pay for?.DIMINISHING RESOURCES, CROWDED HIGHWAYS, FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE, OVERPOPULATION GROWTH are just part of our immediate future. Learn more about these issues that taxpayers will have to contend with at NUMBERSUSA.Dot.Com
posted March 22, 2010 at 6:38 pm
An Amnesty for illegal immigrants, will do several things that will cost a trillion dollars more for American taxpayers.
1. The illegal immigration rush to the border will never be stopped.
2. Millions more will be ready to run the US Border Patrol gauntlet, before the final act is signed.
3. It means literary-FAMILY UNIFICATION-, so those already here will be able to bring in their immediate family members. That means a rough calculation 3 extra people, (Just a minimum number) could mean another 100 million people, adding to at the least 20 to 30 million already settled here.
4. People will be waiting expectantly for a third AMNESTY.
5. Millions more pregnant females from all across the world, will try and sneak into America before the baby is born. This means that the whole family can move in, which is extra people to the welfare lines.
6. The Border states already overrun with illegal immigrants, wont have to wait for another earthquake? California will be sinking under the behemoth volume of foreign nationals pouring into the financially floundering state. Therefore it will become a third world cesspool.
7. The highways will become deathtraps–not that they are not already?
8. Our depreciating infrastructure will decline even more, as there will be even less money to pay for it.
9. Welfare rolls will soar to a unsustainable heights.
10. E-Verify, 287 G, Ice Raids, No Match Letter (Real ID Act & Save Act) would become obsolete.
11. Spanish will become the predominant language in border states.
12. Violence will erupt on a massive scale across the country, that could lead to unrest and riots.
13 Could even lead to a Second Civil War?
14. The only way to justify another AMNESTY is a nationwide referendum. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.
ONE FLAG-ONE LANGUAGE-ONE NATION.
posted March 22, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Brittanicus, are you trying to tell us something?
posted March 22, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I find that what Brittanicus had to say about illegal immigrants was far too negative. Part of the problem with people coming in illegally is the belief, and perhaps even the fact that, lesser developed countries, war torn countries, have less developed health care etc. As much as the US has problems with health care people starve to death at alarming rates in some places because of poverty, no access to food etc. People are better off being poor in the US than being poor in other nations. If they see becoming an illegal immigrant as a chance to give their children the hope of overcoming poverty they they may never have working pennies a day in a sweat shop, they may soon decide the risk is worth taking.
So what should we do with an illegal immigrant? Be nice to them. Perhaps they are doing the best they can with the gifts God has given them and are not lazy like some people seem to assume. What gives one person the right to good heath care and a fair wage over another?
posted March 22, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Wake up pollution, drought, job lost, crime, poverty, educational system in crisis, real estate problems, and the health reform bill. A realistic look at the state of the nation reveals that we are in a lot of trouble.
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posted March 23, 2010 at 4:03 am
Uh, cknuck, pollution, drought, job lost, crime, poverty, educational system in crisis and real estate problems are problems for sure. But the health care bill is part of the solution. It will get real health care to millions who don’t have it and it will save us money.
posted March 23, 2010 at 6:16 am
There are 800 million people in the world who are hungary and malnourished.
10 million people starve to death every year.
2 billion people live on a dollar a day.
The U.S. needs to build a fleet of thousands of ships and Jumbo jets
and bring all of those people to the U.S. for a better life.
And every year poor countries add another 100 million to the
world population so we would never run out of people who just want a better life.
posted March 23, 2010 at 6:39 am
Most people are not aware that many secular Jewish organizations are working with Hispanic groups on immigration reform.
posted March 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm
If the economy keeps going as it is we may be posting guards to keep folks IN rather than keeping them out! Of course, that may be on the Canadian border.
When can we expect Mr Limbaugh to pack his bags and move. There is one immigration I am hoping to see soon.
posted March 23, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Agreed, j. He did promise to leave the country, didn’t he, if health care passed. Could it be we can’t trust him?
posted March 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Don’t let the GOP gloom start coloring how things really are. The morning after the Health Bill Passed the Stock market went up!! Jobs are opening up, after eight miserable years Pres. Obama is doing remarkably well. Look for the good, it’s there.
posted March 23, 2010 at 4:51 pm
nnmns I’m all for saving money. Will this save money, well let’s see. I’m thinking not only will the health bill not save us money but any immigration reform that opens the flood gates any wider will help break the bank also.
posted March 23, 2010 at 7:58 pm
When people do good things for people and their country only good things follow Ck. The words of the Bible. When people are selfish, nasty, liars, and don’t care about hurting people bad things follow.
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posted March 23, 2010 at 11:53 pm
What in the heck are you talking about H22? who is nasty or liars? That is serious accusations and nasty.