Religious Leaders Battle Alabama Immigration Law

By Kent Faulk
Religion News Service

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) Alabama religious leaders have filed statements in federal court expressing their concern that a new immigration law would interfere with the practice of their religion and Christian mandates to minister to all people.

Bishops in the Episcopal, United Methodist and Roman Catholic churches and 17 other church ministry leaders on Wednesday (Aug. 17) filed affidavits in the federal court lawsuits that seek to block enforcement of the new law.

Their lawsuit was consolidated with those filed by the U.S. Justice Department and Hispanic advocacy groups that also sought to void the new state law.

Most of the provisions of Alabama's new immigration law go into effect Sept. 1.

The bishops in their affidavits described their churches' ministries, including those designed to help feed, clothe and shelter the poor.

"In providing or supporting these ministries, we do not -- and would not -- refuse to assist any person in need because he or she lacked legal immigration status," said Episcopal Bishop of Alabama Henry Parsley.

The new immigration law would make providing those ministries and services a crime, the bishops and others who filed affidavits wrote.

State officials said church leaders' concerns about what religious activities would fall within the new state law are "exaggerated."

Sections of the law were modeled after existing federal law, state attorneys said.

"The church leaders apparently do not view their activities as violating federal law, and they have failed to point to a single federal prosecution under the federal law -- which again was the basis for Alabama's statute -- for any type of ministry activities," state attorneys said.

Kent Faulk writes for The Birmingham News in Birmingham, Ala.

Comments

[Cris Bessette]

01:58 PM on 09/07/2011

Give someone a ride , some food, opportunity, and you risk breaking the law if the person happens to be an illegal immigrant.

Jesus would end up in jail in Alabama, Georgia and a few other states here in the South.

Regardless that I personally am an atheist, I fully support these Christians in their efforts to emulate Jesus.

[philips0811]

12:08 PM on 08/23/2011

Funny how liberals are all for separation of Church and State, except when the churches support one of their pet positions.

[IndependentAndProud]

01:46 AM on 08/30/2011

Liberals are never NOT for the separation of church and state.

[roquero guitar hero]

11:43 AM on 08/23/2011

If you have FAITH, check: wpray4u.com

[VagabondBull]

09:55 AM on 08/23/2011

Separation of church and state. You want to have a say in legislative affairs then start paying taxes. Illegals need deported and taught not to break the law.

[SabeWhat]

12:30 PM on 08/22/2011

Illegal Immigrants can be hired if they wash, clean, cook or care for the kids in the home:
The good folks in Alabama, behind the new immigration law (HB 56) were saying that, while companies and factories and farmers and restaurant owners should not dare employ illegal immigrants (who, according to them, are a threat to the US economy), it was still fine to employ them to wash, cook, clean or look after the kids. Why the difference - using the e-verify system would put to much of a burden on private families in their homes.

My hat is off to the males legislators in Alabama - they see the importance of keeping the little lady at home happy - Bravo!!!!!!!!! - gives them greater impetus to pass more of these brilliant “grandfather” laws. When mass exodus occurs as it did in Arizona, what will the little ladies do, to whom will they turn, where will they go? Hey, just pull out the old books, you guys did this before. You already have the blue-print, just dust it off. How about free labor (would exclude child care of course) from the woman’s prison - non-violent crimes of course - no addicts.

If that does not work, what is next? Will they go to Haiti or Utah or both?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/21/usimmigration-alabama

[mcmutter]

04:09 PM on 08/22/2011

160 years ago ... black slaves were just fine for raising the kids and keeping the house .... and on occasion bearing your offspring ....

[iknowscottyknows]

04:45 PM on 08/27/2011

They bore my offspring 160 years ago?

Gee, we'd better pay them reparations forever. And stuff like that.

[bluechevy]

11:35 AM on 08/22/2011

Law does not mean justice. 50 years ago, those people clamoring "its the law" would be placing "the law" above what is just. Aren't we glad there were citizens, legislators and judges who saw justice as their priority and not just the law! This will be our burden now. What is happening with this closed mindedness today is the same as back then. We should never forget...we invited these people here with our standard for freedom: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." When did that no longer mean something?

[Lloyd Wilson]

07:28 PM on 08/22/2011

The plaque on the Statue of Liberty was never enacted by Congress, and was made in France.

[bluechevy]

09:42 AM on 08/23/2011

So, is it not our belief? Is it not our American philosopy? I'm sorry if Frenchy showed us up on that great statement, but it is true for us.

[intellectualTradition]

11:33 AM on 08/22/2011

hogwash. they are able to set up ministries any where they so choose. practicing your religion is not contingent upon entering some place illegally.

[WILLIEMOJORISIN]

11:16 AM on 08/22/2011

Of course the church's are against this law,

deportation = lost revenue

[sunshine14]

11:30 AM on 08/22/2011

The church is doing what is righteous and what is commanded for us all and for what the church is commanded to do. It is not for us to judge the motives of others when we can see this is good for the church are there serving those who are in need, simple came here to get jobs to provide for their families. Good men and bad men can be found in all organizations in Government also, in our own daily surroundings do not blame others for they did not do. But the church is doing what is right. The world belongs to no one we are all call to share with others what we to have been freely giving. What we have much of or even the little we have we are called to give tithes to those in need. Tithes are not taxes either. Those who had much were commanded to give much. The poor are here to be seen, they to have a purpose a work to do for God. To test those who are rich, of their true faith, love of God. God's Blessings given were meant to become a great blessing to others. Then no one ever will be in need. Jesus know in this world of darkness the poor will always be among us, for Jesus knew greed worship of wealth $$ as a god, was going to steal many of souls. When God's world comes on earth, there will be no more poor, for the unrighteous, ungodly, lawless ones, the greedy their world will end. Heaven will be on earth as it is in heaven. Peace will only be found where Righteousness lives. Why still no peace on earth, why we still have wars, since the beginning of time still, for man and those who lead over are not Righteous, man creates laws that do not distribute righteousness to all, equality rights for all, greed are takers not givers. And for greed there will never be enough, to be enough for them.

[WILLIEMOJORISIN]

11:35 AM on 08/22/2011

All that in one breath ? I'm impressed

[philips0811]

02:47 PM on 08/22/2011

Render unto Caesar....This is an example of the churches getting there noses where they don't belong.

[sunshine14]

09:54 AM on 08/22/2011

The Religious leaders are right, all our God's people and we his creatures do not even own the land we are standing on our selves which God shares gives to all freely. God even says what will you do when your Landlord returns on the day of his wrath? Oh my. God said the Earth is My Footstool. God said obey and God gives Laws, Precept Laws,  commands us to observe the Laws  of the Alien Rights. What would this Government due with Abraham for Abraham was also a alien living in the Land of Cannan. Be careful and who owns the Land now where Abraham lived as a alien?

The Meek (poor,widows, outcasts, orphans, the ill) shall inherit the earth. Not the unrighteous, ungodly, lawless ones who break the Laws and commandments of God. Greed their gold and silver will not save them, so God says on the day of his Wrath. God's house is not divided but all are invited through the grace mercy of God to enter his house. But repent return to me and sin no more. God calls no one illegal that is mans laws not Gods Law, or word, but know God will judge by God's Laws, not man or man's Government Laws either. I love all dearly. Those who's bellies are full now will taste the hunger pains them self forever.  Do onto others what you would want done unto you. for what one has done to others good or bad, one will reap back on themselves.

[sunshine14]

09:41 AM on 08/22/2011

I find it very confusing when they say the Religious Leaders. Yet themselves do not follow the Laws given of God. Like
I command you to open you hand to your -poor and needy kinsman in your country.For remember you to were once slaves.
You shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes to administer true justice for the people in all communities which the Lord your God has given YOU. You shall not distort justice . You MUST be impartial.  You shall not take a bribe blinds teh eyes even of the wise and twists the words even of the just. Justice and Justice alone shall be our aim, that you may have life and may posses which the Lord your God is -giving you.
You shall not demand interest from your countrymen on a loan of money or of food or of anything else on which interest is usually demanded. You many demand interest from a foreigner, but NOT from your countrymen.
Cursed b he who violates the rights of the the alien, the orphan or the widow.
you shall not defraud a poor and needy hired servant, whether they be your own countrymen or one of the aliens (God does not call them illegals) for all are aliens living as tenants on land not your own. For you to were ones aliens living on lands not your own. 
You are shall not violate the rights of the alien or the orphans, nor take the clothing of a widow as a pledge. For remember you to were once slaves in Egypt, why I command you to observe the Rule of Law.  
My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as alien. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our Fathers saw our affliction, our toil, our oppression and brought us to the land of milk and honey.
Uses true and just measures, not one heavy or the other small. (all are to be distributed equally)
Anyone who is dishonest in any of theses matters is an abomination to the Lord your God.
Do all not know that Abraham himself was an alien living in land not his own when he settled in Cannan? What happen in the end? Who now owns the land? Interesting. God gave freely to all and if greed, jealousy and all forget God is first and all his commands, it will be God who will take it away.

[rwaller]

12:45 AM on 08/22/2011

I am surprised and thankful that the republican's do not recognize or understand that they are attacking a group of people with the highest number of practicing, devout Christians of any group in America. Talk about cutting the nose of to spite the face, there is a perfect example.

[sunshine14]

10:19 AM on 08/22/2011

God does say I will flood your land with aliens. God is the richest of all, God has shared all that His his and gave shares freely with  all that which is His also. God is a Righteous Just God who clearly distributes in giving equality rights to all. Does it not rain upon the good an ev 1l also? Do not the good and ev 1l breath the same air?   Even Jesus broke his  bread and shared equally and  offered to all that was  his at his  table? No one is more loved then another all are equally valuable in God's eyes. The God who sees all and knows all that is hidden even the very thoughts, hearts of all his creatures, saying nothing will be hidden in the end. All will know God's Truth. And each one will be held accountable for their own works deeds, good or ev 1ll. One will reap back upon themselves what they have done good or ev 1l to others. Feed My Sheep. God's Blessings given to others, was to be shared and given also as a blessing to others also. All are here to serve one another for the good of all mankind. Greed jealousy, those who cause divisions, cause chaos, their wars they created, will reap back unto themselves what they have sown. And no one knows after what fruit they will become, after judgement. A good fruit or a bad fruit. But they will become a good fruit Who ever plants a rotten seed that cannot bare good fruit? That bad seed, will not be planted ever to take root again, will be void, seen no more, for they will not take root ever again. Seek to become a good seed that when planted, will bare good fruit for ever. Love all. Greed jealousy, their wars they create among others stealing the peace of other, their time is coming to an end. God said Let your gold and silver save you now on the day of my wrath. There will be no gold and silver enough to ever build the shelters to save them from God. The poor need no shelter to build, for God is their shelter of protection.

[sunshine14]

10:31 AM on 08/22/2011

F&F thank you

[notwaff]

10:31 PM on 08/21/2011

-----

Christian also have a mandate to obey the laws of the government they are under.

-----

[jbarelli]

11:40 PM on 08/21/2011

Provided, of course, that they do not see those laws as being in direct conflict with the mandates given by God.

We have a mandate to ignore those laws that are in conflict with God-given mandates to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the persecuted.

[rwaller]

12:49 AM on 08/22/2011

So the soldier who desides he cannot break the commandment, thou shall not kill, he is free to refuse to do so under God's law? Who is the "we" who has the mandate? I have so many more but those will do for now.

[notwaff]

01:57 AM on 08/24/2011

.
are you saying there are laws that stop you from feeding, clothing and sheltering?
.

[sunshine14]

10:47 AM on 08/22/2011

Christians like Moses, Jesus, Issiah, Daniel, the prophets, all apostles, John Baptize,  Noah, Abraham, Jacob,  had no palls in mans Government. All served only worked faithfully in God's Government and Obeyed only God's Government Laws, not mans government or mans laws. When God judges he his not judging all his creation,  by mans Laws that are unrighteous, ungodly, lawless, but God judges all by God's Government Laws of His Kingdom, HE only is Ruler over and has set out all HIS Government Kingdom Laws which are all Righteous, Just,  God uses True Measures, using balance scales of Justice for all. God takes no bribes either, whether rich or poor all will be judged under the same Laws of God equally. And there is no law of God that says ever a Corporation is a person. God's very Image has been degraded, replaced in exchanged redefined -as being less then Corporations$$.All thing having been deceived that gold and silver brings a nation prosperity a good economy, but truth is a Nations greatest wealthy treasure prosperity for any Nation, is its citizens. Feed my sheep. Those who think they are deceiving others, no not they to are deceived. Do onto others what you would want done unto you. We all reap what we sow. All will taste themselves, their own  bitterness, pain, great innocent suffering they have caused others. God is Righteousness, Just want mercy compassion for one self when judged, then one has to also give mercy and compassion. 

Oh my. And God knows why that law unrighteous law was created-greed to steal the rights of others, equality. Time comes to all and like God said I come as a theft in the night, no one knows what hr God is coming. Meaning for some could be today, tonight, tomorrow, any moment, ones life can end with out notice. Are we all ready each one for this?

[Phillip Thomas]

09:14 PM on 08/21/2011

The legal immigration process should take priority. America has a liberal and generous program. Those who push ahead of the line should be deported. Eisenhowed did it and so did President Truman. I say do it again. Shoot to kill any who breach the border.
Problem solved, no we won't take any decisive action and soon we will be a third world crap shoot like most of the places south of the border.

[rwaller]

12:59 AM on 08/22/2011

If you would just come to understand that the so called "liberal" stand with you. Where we disagree is in the cause. You address the cause and you solve the problem. You say it is the poor people simply trying to make a better life. I am not attacking you, I simply made a brief summary. The other side believes the root cause are the American employers who are hiring these people and making billions off of their labor while ignoring American citizens.

I simply do not understand how you can blame the destitute for taking a job offered to them by an American employer. The complaint is that they pay no taxes. They can not be blamed for that. If the EMPLOYER is following the laws, federal, state and local, then ALL taxes owed by that employee should be automatically and HONESTLY be collected and submitted. But they don't in many cases. THEY choose to pay under the table, pay a substandard wage AND pocket all of the taxes owed.

I just ask that you examine it a bit and see if you can't see the other side, just a little.

[WhoIsNoOne]

08:43 PM on 08/21/2011

Who Would Jesus Deport ?

[Euphoria123]

10:07 PM on 08/21/2011

Who cares?

[johntangier]

11:46 AM on 08/22/2011

Yea right! Don't feed the poor, maybe they will die and go away, it's the christian thing to do.

[notwaff]

10:32 PM on 08/21/2011

Render to Caesar what is Caesar.

[jbarelli]

11:42 PM on 08/21/2011

So, Anne Frank was just a criminal?

[bluechevy]

11:36 AM on 08/22/2011

Yes, but still do justice for those who need it. Does God love the law that prohibits freedom? Or cherish those seeking justice and freedom for all? I wonder...

[mattneli]

07:21 PM on 08/21/2011

Oh boy! I wonder if los paisanos know what is Alabama known for. If I was them I will run away