Faith Leaders Decry 'Anti-Immigrant' Immigration Law

By Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service

(RNS) Religious leaders planned legal action and civil disobedience after Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill into law Friday (April 23) they believe is "anti-immigrant" and will foster racial profiling.

The National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders is developing a suit against the law that allows law enforcement agencies to detain people who cannot immediately prove their U.S. citizenship.

"There is no fairness or respect for due process in the implementation of this law and we expect the courts to find it unconstitutional," said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, chairman of the
coalition and its legal defense fund.

The Rev. Jim Wallis, who had joined other religious leaders in petitioning Brewer to veto the bill, said the law crosses both legal and moral lines.

"This law will make it illegal to love your neighbor in Arizona, and will force us to disobey Jesus and his gospel," the founder of the anti-poverty group Sojourners said of churches. "We will not comply."

Other groups weighing in -- from the National Council of Churches to the Unitarian Universalist Association to the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism -- decried the law as "inhumane," "invasive" and a demonstration of the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Brewer said Friday she listened to both sides and "prayed for strength" as she made her decision, which she says enforces laws against illegal immigration and racial profiling.

The governor said law enforcement officers will be trained so they know how to define "'reasonable suspicion' a person is not legally present in the United States."

Comments

[agentklf]

07:32 PM on 05/14/2010

Crack down on the employers who exploit both the immigrants and the tax system. Make the employers have to show "papers, please."

[farmilyman]

06:27 AM on 04/28/2010

Would Jesus keep illegal immigrants out of Israel?

[sunshine14]

09:59 PM on 04/27/2010

Wonder how the Indians felt when all those illegal arrived on boats on their land? Those illegal immigrants brought their guns thou and did what to the Indians?. All are illegal aliens. Theses illegal immigrants, from mexico came looking for jobs to provide for their families. They are not taking anyones jobs, companies are hiring and giving them your jobs.

[OhgReaTone]

04:21 PM on 04/27/2010

Well, I am an old man in rural NW Missouri. I don't know much about faith or immigrants. But I did go to Wal Mart the other day and they have a Latino Food Section. Is that where the immigrants are supposed to shop?. .........

http://thefiresidepost.com/2010/04/27/latino-food-section-at-walmart-as-seen-by-a-redneck/

[sunshine14]

03:38 PM on 04/27/2010

Would God I wonder not ask us all, what ok for you to illegal come here in a land not your own, but not for them?

[sunshine14]

03:32 PM on 04/27/2010

Funny all forgot and Christians. Do onto others what you would want done unto you. Well how did the Indians feel? What was done to them by illegal immigrant who came over in boats bringing also their guns? Immigrants come looking for jobs thou peacefully, willing to labor for their wages. No freebies either. God said I will flood your nation of no people with aliens. Hope and pray we do not get stolen from our own land and shipped in boats over seas either. Do onto others what you would want done unto you.

[notwaff]

09:06 PM on 04/27/2010

What was God's instructions to Israel?

Leviticus 19:34 - The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

But we are also to honor the authority of our government.

Romans 13:2 - Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

We need to honor the laws enacted and use the legislative (and possibly judicial) processes to correct them.

[Lovenox]

02:51 PM on 04/27/2010

It is anti-illegal immigrant. The left will try and muddy the waters, but the fact remains that the law is anti-illegal immigrant just like the Constitution. Imagine that.

[MrBwood]

05:32 PM on 04/27/2010

don't know much about the Constitution do you?

[Lovenox]

05:46 PM on 04/27/2010

The Constitution mandates we keep soverighty on the borders. You sir, have not a clue.

[me again]

10:10 AM on 04/27/2010

Brewer is a blonde naziette!

[ljwaldron]

02:34 PM on 04/27/2010

agreed!