Christian Leaders Push Immigration Reform as Faith Issue

In advance of the White House's big meeting next week on immigration, a coalition of Christian groups launched a new website (www.faithandimmigration.org) and statement of principles today. In a telephone conference, they advocated for President Obama and Congress to tackle comprehensive reform on immigration in the next few months and emphasized the spiritual arguments for humane treatment of undocumented immigrants.

The teleconference by the group, Christians for Comprehensive immigration Reform, featured heavyweights in the arena of faith and politics, including three members on the President's new faith-based advisory council. Since Obama's June 17 meeting on immigration so far looks like it's invitation only for member of Congress, the group's goal was to weigh in on the debate ahead of time.

One of the speakers, Rev. Jim Wallis, president of progressive and social justice group Sojourners, made this argument, "This is a faith issue. Not just a political issue." Wallis referred to biblical passages where Jesus tells his followers that when they treat strangers with kindness, they are treating Jesus himself with kindness. "The stranger in case of undocumented immigrants is not being treated that well right now," Wallis said.

Rev. Sam Rodriguez, president of the national Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said that after bailing out industries like banks and automakers, Obama and his administration should show similar grace to immigrants who are trying to support their families. Rodriguez said Obama needs to deliver on promises he made to the Latino community during his campaign.

The coalition issued a statement signed by 28 Christian organizations and 40 some leaders advocating things like reduced waiting times for separated families to be reunited, a legal process for immigrants already in the country to earn citizenship, dealing with the root causes in countries where immigrants come from.