Video and Transcript: Christians Weigh in on Immigration Debate
May 8, 2007
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LOU DOBBS: The nation's religious leaders tonight bypassing the notion of separation of church and state. In fact they're lobbying Washington and lobbying hard for amnesty for illegal aliens, both on the pulpit and by direct mail.
Lisa Sylvester reports now on the campaign by the Catholic Church and other Christian churches to influence if not direct the Senate debate on amnesty legislation. Casey Wian reports on a renewed call for amnesty from Cardinal Roger Mahony and the mayor of Los Angeles.
We turn first to Lisa Sylvester in Washington. Lisa?
LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This week the Senate is taking up the immigration debate. Among the largest lobbying groups, Catholic and other Christian churches. They are planning on sending out 200,000 letters and running a new ad campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SYLVESTER (voice-over): This ad reads, "When Jesus said suffer the little children this is not what he had in mind." A picture of a young girl with authorities. It's meant to pull at the heartstrings and part of a new campaign by Christian groups to convince lawmakers to pass an amnesty bill for millions of illegal aliens.
REV. JIM WALLIS, SOJOURNERS MAGAZINE: If given the choice on this issue between Jesus and Lou Dobbs. I choose my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
SYLVESTER: The group is arming itself with scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
REV. SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ, NATIONAL HISPANIC CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: At the end of the day how we deal with the immigrant is a diagnostic of the spiritual health of our nation.
SYLVESTER: But not all Christians agreed. One author who has written on the Bible and immigration says Christians are call today treat foreigners with respect but they are not require to give citizenship or create a guest worker program.
JIM EDWARDS, NUMBERSUSA: On some matters the Bible is perfectly clear. "Thou shalt not commit murder." That is pretty clear. But there is not a scripture verse that says "Thou shall be 59,000 H1B visas.
SYLVESTER: Jim Edwards says according to scripture, a nation's first obligation is to its own people, not the citizens of other countries. That point is also made by the Center for Immigration Studies, that U.S. church groups are overlooking the impact on American citizens.
STEVEN CAMAROTA, CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION STUDIES: They don't seem to realize the plight of those Americans who face the competition for scarce public resources like health care and education. Those Americans harmed by illegal immigration seem not to be on their radar at all.
SYLVESTER: And while the Bible calls on Christians to treat others humanely, it also calls on them to respect the rule of law.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SYLVESTER (on camera): Church leaders may be pushing for amnesty but a Zogby poll from last year asks the members of the Christian faith if they supported a get tough approach to illegal immigration. That is, securing the border and doing employment checks. Seventy- five percent of Protestants responded that was a good or very good idea. Seventy-seven percent of born-again Christians also agreed and 66 percent of Catholics also backed tougher enforcement measures.
So Lou, it appears that there's a bit of a disconnect between church leaders and church goers on this issue. Lou?
DOBBS: And there's just as large, if not a larger disconnect between our political elites and American citizens on the same issue. Did you, by any chance ask why in the world this reverend would suggest that this is a choice between Jesus Christ and Lou Dobbs?
SYLVESTER: I think he was trying make the point that it's one or the other. But clearly he was being a little facetious.
DOBBS: I hope so. Because -- When these folks start talking -- suggesting that God tells them not to worry about border security and not to worry about illegal immigration, and -- you know, I start worrying a little bit about the secular interests of this country. Any discussion about separation of church and state for crying out loud?
SYLVESTER: That line does seem to be very blurred on this issue. Now the church feels like it's essentially their mandate to protect the poor but it is clearly written in scripture that it is also the mandate of Christians to respect the rule of law. Romans 13.
DOBBS: Well, I am impressed with the citation, I couldn't have done as well but I appreciate you doing so.
Lisa Sylvester, thank you very much.
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