Christian Leaders Push for Immigration Reform
Chief Executives of Church World Service and the National Council of Churches are pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, in response to what they referred to as a divine mandate. The leaders sent letters to the 36 communions of their groups stating that immigration reform should be a primary concern of the Christian community.
The letter from Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of CWS, and the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the NCC, demonstrated concern for the millions of immigrants living in the United States who have no clear path to citizenship and cannot be with their families, according to a press release at Worldwide Faith News. They wrote that this is a key period of time that demands action from Christians to help disenfranchised peoples.
Leaders of the two organizations joined with many other religious groups in demanding reform, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Hispanic Leadership Conference, along with millions of other religious people. They also called on the leaders of their communions to consider hosting prayer vigils to pray for immigrants, dedicate church lessons or sermons to the subject of immigration reform, and to contact legislators urging immigration reform to be a priority. The letter often quotes Bible scripture as support for policy changes, urging members to show Christian love toward those marginalized in society.
The leaders also encouraged members to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days from March 19 to March 22 and a rally for immigration reform March 21. Both events take place in Washington, D.C. President Barack Obama and members of Congress have stressed the urgency for immigration reform. Legislation, such as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security and Prosperity, was recently introduced – a move the religious leaders said was encouraging. McCullough and Kinnamon wrote that they favor reform that respects the civil rights of immigrants.
Michael Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm... Michael Monheit→