Diverse National Faith Leaders React to Proposed Immigration Frame Work, Urge Congressional Action on Compassionate Reform and Roadmap to Citizenship 2013

National faith leaders from Catholic, Protestant and Jewish traditions affirm President Obama’s call for comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship in 2013 and welcome Senate leadership on this critical issue.  While clergy and lay leaders welcome both President Obama and the Senate’s proposals, they call for legislation that prioritizes family unity and creates a pathway to full citizenship, that is in no way contingent on enforcement measures, for the approximately 11 million undocumented people living in the United States.

Statements from prominent Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faith leaders are below:

- Minerva Garza Carcaño, Bishop, Los Angeles Conference, United Methodist Church

 “I applaud the President’s leadership in addressing the broken immigration system. For too long our communities have lived in fear as immigrant families have been torn apart through unnecessary harsh enforcement policies. The immigration problems we face as a nation are complex and difficult. President Obama’s clear commitment to provide leadership and full engagement in the legislative process toward immigration reform will be critical. United Methodists have long been active in working with other faith leaders from across the country in mobilizing thousands of people through hundreds of public witness actions and meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. Comprehensive immigration reform is a major concern for us. We will continue to advocate for reform that will provide a pathway to full citizenship for undocumented immigrants and reunify families who have been separated. I look forward to working closely with President Obama and Congress to enact effective, just and compassionate reform.”

- Sr. Simone Campbell, Executive Director, NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

 “We find it hopeful that common sense immigration reform is finally getting the attention it has deserved for some time. We have to find a workable system for those wishing to come into our country, and a pathway to citizenship for the millions of hardworking immigrants who contribute so much to our country. They have earned their chance to be a part of our democracy.”

- Rev. Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners

 “A bipartisan group of Senators has spoken, no legislation can be called immigration reform without a road map to citizenship. Creating a just and compassionate immigration system that meets the needs of the 21st century won’t happen overnight and it won’t be easy. For years the faith community has been calling for change, and we will be watching every step of the way to ensure that families are protected and the dignity of every one of God’s children is respected. We expect and demand nothing less.  For us, this isn’t just a matter of politics; but one of faith and obedience to Jesus’ call in Matthew 25 for his followers to ‘welcome the stranger.’”

- Mark Hetfield, President and CEO (Interim), Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)

 “While we await actual legislative language, HIAS is grateful for the Senators’ leadership and for their agreement on key issues: There must be a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. – including undocumented students who would be covered by the DREAM Act – and shorter wait times for family members seeking to be reunited with their loved ones in the U.S. Comprehensive immigration reform is an opportunity to fix a broken system that adversely affects immigrants in the U.S., including refugees and asylum seekers. Immigration laws enacted in 1996 intended to crack down on undocumented migration also included all kinds of artificial, technical barriers that deny asylum to persecuted people who have already fled to the United States. Now is the time to fix the laws that have undermined America’s leadership in providing safe haven to the persecuted.”

  - John McCullough, President and CEO, Church World Service

 ” As an organization that serves refugees and all immigrants, CWS affirms that legislation based on this framework could have far-reaching positive impacts on the lives of those who, but for mere papers, are Americans in heart and contribution. Our immigrant brothers and sisters are an intrinsic part of our communities. We worship together, work together, build community together, our children learn together, and we pledge allegiance to the same flag together. We have a Biblical call to welcome the stranger and love our neighbor, and immigration reform will help us as a nation fulfill that call.”

- Kim Bobo, Executive Director, Interfaith Worker Justice    

 “Immigrants come to the U.S. to work, and yet when they are kept in the shadows without a path to citizenship, they are easily exploited and undermine standards for all workers.  Thus, it is  morally and economically right to create a clear and quick path to citizenship for immigrants.  We should “welcome the immigrant” now.”

- Rabbi Jonathan Klein, Executive Director, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice – Los Angeles, CA

 “As one of many rabbis across the country committed to Ahavat Ger, (Loving the stranger), we commend the President and Senate leaders for their early-term commitment to grapple with our broken immigration system and policy. Courageous bipartisan steps affirming the humanity of millions of immigrants will show that the United States is the beacon of justice reflected by Emma Lazaruss words on the Statue of Liberty.”

- Rev. J. Bart Day, Executive Director of National Mission, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

“The president’s speech today represents a good starting place for Democrats and Republicans to come together to create a reformed immigration system that better serves families and the common good. LIRS and our broad national network of social ministry organizations, congregations, and church leaders are committed to working with Congress and the President to ensure that immigration reform will be just and protect vulnerable migrants.”

- Rabbi Noam Marans, Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, American Jewish Committee

“By producing an initiative that accepts the premise of a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the eight Senators recognize immigration as a key factor in bolstering America’s economic strength and democratic pluralism. The proposed reforms to the family and employment visa categories are also encouraging. Allowing immigrant families to more easily reunite with their loved ones promotes a strong social fabric in our communities. In addition, making it easier for high and low-skilled immigrant workers to come to this country will help to ensure that American businesses have the labor they need to compete in a global economy.”

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Rabbis Urge Ending Bush Tax Cuts for Top 2%

While the “fiscal cliff” debate roars on, faith leaders across the country are determined to do everything they can to forge a moral solution that asks the wealthy to pay their fair share and doesn’t harm the poor and vulnerable. In an effort to persuade Congress to move towards a balanced deal, Bend the Arc Jewish Action Network has organized a letter signed by nearly 300 rabbis urging lawmakers to allow the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans to expire.

This campaign sends a strong signal from the progressive faith community as it seeks to influence the debate over the fiscal showdown.  Addressed to elected officials, the letter opens:

“As rabbis, we are called upon to uphold the highest values of our faith, and to teach the laws of our tradition… Raising revenue in order to support important community institutions was established in the Torah’s commandments, extolled by the prophets, and has been a hallmark of Jewish communities ever since.”

According to The Jewish Week:

“It is believed to be the first time a major American Jewish group has taken a position on a tax issue — other than advocating for preserving the charitable tax deduction — since the Jewish Council for Public Affairs did so in 2002.” Moreover, it highlights that the American Jewish community stands by people of every socio-economic background by ensuring a level-playing field for all Americans.”

The rabbis write that:

“Allowing these cuts to expire at the end of this year for the wealthiest two percent of Americans – those making more than $250,000 a year – is a crucial step toward increasing the equality and basic fairness that our tradition calls for.”

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Does the Bible Endorse Capitalism?

Tim King at God’s Politics has an excellent rebuttal of a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from Rabbi Aryeh Spero suggesting the Bible endorses free-market capitalism (as the only alternative to “socialism”):

The primary political conversation that is happening in our country isn’t a dualistic battle between a “free market” system and a “statist/socialist” one. It is determining which mix of institutions and organizations are best equipped to meet societal challenges and achieve collective goals while allowing for individual freedom and human flourishing.
…
Rabbi Spero makes some important scriptural points as to the importance of personal responsibility, human creativity, and freedom, but fails to deal with any passages that might temper or balance his views of capitalism. (You can read about Gary Bauer’s recent problem with scriptural accuracy here.)

Tim goes on to explore the Biblical teaching on practices like gleaning, Jubilee years and interest, a good reminder that religious texts can’t be interpreted as providing a blanket endorsement of any particular modern ideology.

The whole piece is worth a read.

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Minnesota Faith Leaders Call for Moratorium on Foreclosures

Continuing the strong work of people of faith across the country, a group of interfaith leaders in Minneapolis have called on banks in their city to hold a 90 day moratorium on foreclosures, commit to working on loan modifications with struggling homeowners instead of kicking them to the curb.

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Rev. Jerry McAfee of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church and the head of the Minnesota State Baptist Convention, said that if the banks reject the moratorium, “We will have to join our brothers and sisters of Occupy Minnesota and occupy the banks.”

The coalition consists of Rev. McAfee, Bishop Richard Howell of Shiloh Temple, Rev. Dwight Seawood of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Paul Slack of New Creation Church, Scott Grey, president of the Minneapolis Urban League, Vic Rosenthal, executive director of Jewish Community Action and Dave Snyder, an organizer with Jewish Community Action working with the Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition.

Photo credit: BasicGov, Flickr

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Interfaith Leaders, Jobless Workers Hold Flower Prayer Vigil on Capitol Hill to Call on Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Community members, jobless workers from around the country, and interfaith clergy leaders will hold a flower prayer vigil at Upper Senate Park on December 8 at 11 a.m. to call for justice for the jobless.

Millions of jobless workers and their families are at risk of losing their unemployment insurance lifeline if Congress fails to pass an extension by the end of the month. The prayer service will include stories from jobless workers and an action with thousands of white carnations that symbolize jobless Americans. It will lead into a day of lobbying Congress to extend unemployment benefits immediately.

The vigil on the Hill is one of many taking place across the country for a national day of mobilization to urge Congressional leaders in D.C. and in their districts to pass the extension of unemployment benefits.

WHO: Unemployed workers and interfaith clergy leaders including:
Rev. Paul Sherry—Director, DC Office, Interfaith Worker Justice and Coordinator, Faith Advocates for Jobs Campaign
Rabbi Elizabeth Richman—Jews United for Justicee
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik—Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
Rev. Jennifer Butler—Executive Director, Faith in Public Life
Rev. Michael Livingston—Director, National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative
Rev. Wallace Charles Smith, Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church

WHAT: Interfaith prayer vigil for unemployed workers

WHEN: Thursday, December 8 at 11:00 A.M.

WHERE:    Upper Senate Park
New Jersey Ave and Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.

Reporters interested in attending please contact: Amaya Tune: atune@aflcio.org

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