This weekend a number of people representing many groups, including churches and faith groups, will come to Washington to rally for immigration reform. Several stories talk about the issue from the religious perspective.
Gabriel Salguero, Pastor and Executive Member, Latino Leadership Circle, write on the Washington Post’s On Faith blog about evangelicals and immigration reform:
What does the Church or my faith have to do with (immigration reform)? Simply stated, as a Christian I am mandated to love my neighbor as myself without prejudice to origin, color, or creed. Jesus himself reminds Christians to “welcome the stranger” in Matthew 25. In addition, the Torah of the Hebrew Scriptures reminds us continually to be kind and merciful to the stranger, widow, and orphan. In the end a nation is judged by how it treats the most vulnerable among them. My faith compels me to speak with the immigrants and their families.
Immigration reform is a moral issue that requires us to live up to the highest of our values. This is not an easy issue but I will march because I believe that our country has the moral capacity to welcome immigrants. If Christ welcomed me unconditionally should I do any less with others? So on Sunday in a peaceful manner I will repeat the words on Lady Liberty written by Emma Lazarus with tens of thousands of my fellow human beings : “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Peg Chemberlin, President of the National Council of Churches of Christ, writes for the Huffington Post that God’s Children Cry Out for Immigration Reform Now:
Faith communities all over the map are calling for reform: United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Roman Catholics, the Presbyterian Church USA, Evangelicals, United Church of Christ, and state councils of churches around the country. The National Council of Churches declared:
“As Christians we believe we are called to advocate for policies and mindsets that do not foster hate and perpetuate fear and discrimination. That is why we strongly urge Congress and the President to pass comprehensive immigration reform that upholds the dignity of all people and reflects the principles for which our nation was founded.”
So they will gather in DC and walk the halls of Congress, and visit the White House, and as people of faith, as people concerned for their children and grandchildren, and as people committed to preserving the values and traditions of America, they will cry with one voice, fix our immigration system!
Meanwhile, the LA Times reports that Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham have announced the framework for a bi-partisan immigration reform bill:
The framework covers familiar territory: border security, interior enforcement, temporary workers and legalization. The legalization plan would require undocumented immigrants to admit they broke the law, perform community service, pay fines and back taxes and learn English. According to the plan, a bill would also give green cards to immigrants who earn a master’s or doctorate in science, technology, engineering or math from a U.S. university.
The unveiling of the plan follows a gathering last week of the president, both senators and advocates of reform. Since taking office, Obama and the administration have been reaching out to legislators and advocates to garner support for reforming the immigration system. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has held dozens of meetings with Senate and House members and has held round table sessions with state and local politicians and labor, business and faith groups throughout the nation, including in Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Tamar Jacoby, who runs ImmigrationWorks USA, a federation of employers pushing for reform, said she was encouraged by the framework and that it included a plan for more workers to come legally when they were needed. Jacoby said that publishing a framework now shows the public and stakeholders there’s momentum for the process.
“Part of passing any bill is about garnering public support,” she said. “Voters will be paying attention to the issue this weekend.”