Intern with Faith in Public Life
Monday, August 06, 2007
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Immigration Reform: the Return of 'Enforcement Only'
In the wake of the Senate's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform, federal legislators are falling back on immoral and impractical attempts to fix our broken system.
Most disturbing for advocates of comprehensive immigration reform is a new bill introduced by Senators McCain (R-AZ), Graham (R-SC), Kyl (R-TX) and Sessions (R-AL). The "enforcement only" proposal institutes unjust and cumbersome enforcement measures while doing nothing to address the 12 million immigrants living in the shadows of our nation who continue in limbo, living in fear of deportation and separation from family.
Faith groups have been some of the strongest leaders in the struggle to enact comprehensive immigration reform. And because this latest legislation runs counter to values of justice, family, and hospitality, just like the "Sensenbrenner bill" before it, faith leaders are speaking out -- renewing their call for legislation that both enforces our borders and creates a legal path to residence.
Many national faith coalitions and local congregations are advocating for changes in national policy, and providing on the ground support to immigrants.
Religious organizations and coalitions such as Interfaith Immigration Coalition, Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference are mobilizing their constituencies to strengthen their voices as they advocate the values-driven case for comprehensive reform to Congress and the President.
The New Sanctuary Movement provides legal and material support for immigrant families targeted for deportation.
Actions like these provoke strong reactions from anti-immigrant groups, such as the Minutemen, who see undocumented immigrants as a threat to traditional American values.
Fr. Bud Kaicher, of St. Peter's Parish in San Diego, is now being harassed by such groups for hosting a day laborer site at the church grounds according to the National Catholic Reporter.
However, faith groups are not deterred. Though anti-immigrant groups may have derailed the comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate this spring, they cannot change the scriptural witness calling the faithful to treat all of God's children with compassion and respect.
As long as there is a need, people of faith will fight for comprehensive immigration reform and will continue to oppose shortsighted and impractical "enforcement only" measures like the new McCain-Graham-Kyle-Sessions bill.
Do your part. While Senators and members of Congress are home for August recess, ask them where they stand on the new "enforcement-only" bill and make your case for comprehensive immigration reform.
Faith in Public Life's issue page on immigration is an excellent resource for faith statements on immigration, faith and values.
