One of the matters before the United Stas has been the issue of immigration reform. It concerns me because all of us or our ancestors were at one time immigrants. On the other hand, realism suggests there needs to be processes in regard to protecting borders and providing pathways to citizenship. And nothing is getting done. Gridlock has become the key word in describing what goes on in Washington. It seems like politics throws a wrench in the gears for any possible reform.
Recently one possibility is emerging. A biparisam ecumemical group calling itself Evangelical Immigration Table has drafted the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform. It has been signed by several leaders across a broad spevctrum. Richard Land, who heads up our SBC Ethics Commission signed it as well as LifeWay Research, Focus on the Family, and the past SBC president.
Here is the statement: "Our national immigration laws have created a moral, economic, and political crisis in America. Initiatives to remedy this crisis have led to polarization and name calling in which opponents have misrperesented each other's positions as open borders and amnesty versus deportation of millions. This false choice has led to an unacceptable stalemate at the federal level at a tragic human cost. As evangelical leaders, we call for a bipartisan solution on immigration that:
RESPECTS the God-given dignity of every person.
PROTECTS the unity of the immediate family.
RESPECTS the rule of law.
GUARANTEES secure national borders.
ENSURES fairness to taxpayers.
ESTABLISHES a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
We urge our nation's leaders to work together with the American people to pass immigration reform that embodies these key principles and that will make our nation proud."
The breadth of support among religious leaders is rather amazing. Convincing Washington politicians would be even more amazing!
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