Faithful America Launches Petition Against Alabama Anti-Immigrant Law
When Alabama implemented its radical immigration legislation last month, it became the most extreme anti-immigrant state in the nation. As written, the law will require local law enforcement, social service providers and even churches to become de facto immigration agents–threatening to make criminals out of good-hearted Alabamians who help their undocumented neighbors.
While some provisions of the law have been temporarily blocked, if it is fully enacted, soup kitchens could get in trouble for feeding families who come to them in need, volunteers could face penalties for taking fellow parishoners to church functions, and Alabamians might even get in legal trouble for giving their neighbors a ride to the grocery store
Religious groups in Alabama have already voiced their opposition to the law, even filing a lawsuit challenging these provisions in court. But today Faithful America launched a nationwide petition to show that people of faith around the country reject this anti-religious law and want it repealed.
Faithful America’s petition specifically appeals to Alabama governor Robert Bentley, who–despite speaking proudly of his Baptist faith and his role as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at his church–signed the law and continues to defend it.
Governor Bentley:
As a Baptist Sunday school teacher, you know that Jesus didn’t ask for anyone’s papers before helping them. But the immigration law you signed would do just that–criminalizing the compassion mandated by our religious beliefs. As a person of faith, I’m appalled by your support for this cruel, anti-religious law and demand you repent and work to repeal it.
Join Faithful America and sign the petition here.