When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
- Leviticus 19:33-34
 Subscribe to the CCIR Email | Follow us on Twitter |
If you had any doubts about the momentum building for immigration reform, the recent political developments in Washington should assuage them. President Obama made it a centerpiece of his State of the Union address. A bipartisan group of senators have released principles to help guide reform efforts in Congress. But the faith community cannot become complacent. Our voices are needed more than ever. Christians around the country have been praying for immigration reform and challenging their friends, churches, and even elected officials to do the same. By keeping up the pressure, our leaders in Washington are constantly reminded of our commitment to achieve a sensible, fair, and just immigration system. That is why Jim Wallis and other Christian leaders will be hosting a conference call on February 21 to share the latest news and updates about the faith community’s work on immigration reform. Please consider joining the conversation by signing up here. In faith, Beau, Ivone, Janelle, and the rest of the Sojourners Immigration Team  Tell Congress: Immigration Reform Means Citizenship President Obama and senators from both political parties are calling for immigration reform. America’s immigration system must treat people fairly and provide the opportunity for people to flourish as God intends. Urging Congress to pass immigration reform is an opportunity to put our faith into action. Write your member of Congress so they know real immigration reform must reflect our common values and include a roadmap for aspiring Americans to become citizens.  Lisa Sharon Harper: Christian Churches Come Together on Immigration Reform Recently, Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. gathered in Austin, Texas, for its 7th Annual Meeting. CCT represents the breadth of Christian denominations in the United States, including historic Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, evangelical Protestant, and historic black church denominations. In previous meetings, CCT focused on issues of poverty and racism. This year leaders of this diverse body of Christian denominations focused on the need for broad reform within the U.S. immigration system. Matthew L. Skinner: On Scripture: Immigration Reform and the Challenges of Generosity Luke 4:16-21. This passage reiterates a familiar biblical claim: God’s grace extends to all corners of society. Simultaneously, the passage illustrates a too common human tendency to resist outsiders and their empowerment. In these respects, the passage offers perspective on the expanding conversations in the U.S. concerning immigration reform.  Senators Offer a Bipartisan Blueprint for Immigration A bipartisan group of senators has agreed on a set of principles for a sweeping overhaul of the immigration system, including a pathway to American citizenship for 11 million [undocumented] immigrants that would hinge on progress in securing the borders and ensuring that foreigners leave the country when their visas expire. Obama Immigration Reform Speech: 'The Time Is Now' President Barack Obama made an economic and moral case for the need for comprehensive immigration reform, vowing he would send legislation to Congress and insist on a vote if bipartisan efforts there fail.  Group of Young Immigrants Seeks a Direct Path to Citizenship for All, Regardless of Age A national organization of young immigrants said that it would press for a “direct and straightforward” seven-year pathway to citizenship for all 11 million [undocumented] immigrants in the country, and would not support measures that only offered citizenship to young people brought to the United States as children. In Washington and around the country, the media is starting to focus on immigration reform. Here’s the latest:
 While the discussions about changing immigration policy often seem complex, people of faith must do all they can to educate others about what’s at stake in this debate. Here are the latest resources to help you talk with others about the need for immigration reform:
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment