Breaking News from the Hispanic Church

Hispanic Christians Concerned with Immigration Discussion and Possible Discriminatory Consequences

October, 2005 – Sacramento, CA -- The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the Nations leading Hispanic Christian Organization, formally expressed concern with current Immigration Rhetoric expressed by many. "We as Hispanic American People of Faith have a dual responsibility. We demand that our Government secure our Borders and Protect our citizenry from people that desire to do harm. We ask our Government officials to increase the number of border patrol agents, enhance the technological security measures across both the Southern and Northern Borders and take the necessary steps to stop all illegal immigration. However, we are similarly concerned with those throughout our Blessed Nation who are converting or are using the legitimate problem of illegal immigration as a smoke screen for anti Hispanic sentiment and prejudices.

Leaders of Both parties need to understand one thing. While addressing this issue, distinction needs to be made between protecting the culture of understanding and the historical ethos of what has made this country great from the extremist ideologies that separate and destroy. We hope and pray that the motto on the Statute of Liberty still stands, not only for Europeans but for people of all regions. We are against illegal immigration but we are in favor of legal immigration a long side a sustainable, enforceable, workable, guest worker program that will enrich the social fabric and economic viability of our nation.

In conclusion, leaders of both parties need to understand the following: Latinos are the nations largest minority group. There are over 40 million legal Hispanic Americans. We will not lay aside and permit legislative initiatives that harm or create a culture where the rights of our fellow American Citizens are threatened just because their last names are Rodriguez, Garcia or Gonzalez. Recently, a talk radio host offered the scenario of law enforcement officers exercising racial profiling practices and demanding for all people that appear to be of Hispanic descent to have to prove their Citizenship. Ironically, what we have not done with groups that attacked us on 9/11, we are now considering to do with Hispanic Americans. We call upon politicians in both parties to address these absurdities. We join the efforts of Senator Orrin Hatch, Kay Bailey Hutchinson and others who recently addressed the Hispanic Leadership Summit and offered workable solutions. We applaud their leadership and hope that their voices trump the voices of extremism and bigotry. " stated Rev .Samuel Rodriguez , President of The NHCLC.

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