God in Government

NAE's Cautious Look at Immigration Reform

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

The National Association of Evangelicals is wading very gingerly into the issue of immigration reform.

Immigration has long been an awkward issue for evangelicals. Most of the nation's large, politically influential evangelical organizations have either supported legislation that focuses on border enforcement and deporting illegal immigrants or have taken no position on the issue. But smaller white church groups and Hispanic evangelicals have supported what they consider more compassionate treatment of illegal immigrants, including a path to citizenship and streamlined procedures for reuniting separated families.

So far, the NAE, whose members encompass 52 denominations, hasn't taken a position on the issue because its members have been divided on how to deal with it. But they won't be much longer.

NAE President Leith Anderson said this week that the organization has held several immigration forums around the country and has begun drafting a position statement. The goal is to adopt a resolution in October, he said.

"What we're trying to do is say 'How do we address this in a way that is Biblical and just and fair?'" said Anderson, pastor of a megachurch in Minnesota.

President Barack Obama, who supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding people who entered the country illegally, is expected to take up the issue later this year.

Anderson recently penned a forward to a new book, "Welcoming the Stranger," written by two staffers at World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the NAE. The book, which weaves together Bible teachings and statistics, presents a largely positive view of immigrants, legal and illegal. World Relief, unlike NAE, has long supported comprehensive immigration reform.

The book points out the hard facts for evangelicals: An increasing number of evangelical Protestants are Hispanic immigrants, who support a path to citizenship and other reforms.
Even the Southern Baptists, not known for their liberal tendencies, take what is considered a moderate position on the issue of immigration. Fully half of their growth in the last decade came from ethnic groups, including Hispanics, said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "That has helped sensitize folks," said Land.

The Southern Baptists--the nation's largest Protestant denomination--support border enforcement along with a path to legal status for illegal immigrants who are already here, said Land. (The Southern Baptist Convention is not a member of the NAE.)
"I've talked to very few Southern Baptists who have said, 'Well, we should send them all back,'" said Land.

By Jacqueline L. Salmon  |  April 2, 2009; 6:35 PM ET  | Category:  God in Government Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
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Illegal immigration has become such a big problem for America, that the only way to solve the already illegals here, is to give them a general Amnesty, like the one given by Expresident Clinton, some years ago, and at the same time have tighter rules to choose entrances, as well as deporting illegals criminals, that don't deserve to aquire the american residency or citizenship.

Posted by: josenigrin | April 13, 2009 11:27 AM
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Paris1969----Undocumented workers are illegal immigransts. They must be deported. Lawbreakers who enter this country cannot be tolerated. Nancy Pelosi is just looking for cheap labor while spouting liberal gibberish.

Anyone who helps people enter this country illegally or assists them in any way whatsoever should face execution by the U.S. government. Any assistance is treason and deserving of the death penalty.

Rcubedck---The American people will never be able to vote on the immigration issue because those bums of politicians know people would vote against immigration. I agree with you that it should be voted on by the people. This is an important issue and the people should decide. The polticians are too afraid of losing their cheap labor.

Obama wants to take up immigration very shortly. He wants to open a pathway for illegals to be able to obtain citizenship, which is crazy. However, it is to be expected from a leftist. This fight should be extremely contentious. I hope Obama burns up so much political capital that his presidency is crippled. Obama has no right to reward lawbreakers. Of course Obama is a lawbreaker himself. He admitted to using pot and cocaine, breaking U.S. drug laws. Obams has shown contempt for the law by using illicit drugs, so it not a surprise that he would reward those who break our immigration laws.

Posted by: Maryann261 | April 9, 2009 2:57 AM
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I've often been accused of being a "Bleeding Heart Liberal" on these pages, but here are the simple facts of this issue.

If you enter this country without the proper documentation you are here illegally and have broken the law.

If you are here illegally and you are paying taxes, you could only do that by falsifying or stealing a Social Security Number. That's Strike 2

There is no doubt in my mind that the vast majority of those who have entered this country illegally are generally harmless, otherwise obey the law, and are simply trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. I can have sympathy for that, but it does not excuse the fact that they have broken the law. They do not belong here. They need to return to their home countries, and, if they truly wish to live in this country and become citizens, they must demonstrate their respect of our laws first.

Anyone who knowingly hires an illegal, shelters them, or otherwise assists in their continued presence in this country is guilty of either conspiracy to commit a crime or is an accessory to that crime.

This is not an issue of race; it is an issue of law enforcement. If you enter this country legally, I welcome you, and encourage your prosperity. If you are here illegally, get out. It is black & white. There is no grey area, and there is no reasonable excuse. Even those who seek asylum can get here legally.

One more thing: Children born in this country to illegals should not have a claim to naturalized citizenship. I know they are innocent victims of their parents’ poor decisions, but the notion of "Anchor Babies" really sticks in my craw.

Posted by: drihl | April 8, 2009 11:34 AM
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I'll say it again,
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE NOT 'ILLEGAL ALIENS'!

Posted by: quintanilla50 | April 7, 2009 1:29 AM
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THE USA HAS A GOVERMENT BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, AND OF THE PEOPLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT USA HAS SEPERATION OF CHURCH & STATE. THOES THAT FILE TAX EXAMPT MUST COMPLY WITH ALL THE I.R.S. RULES ON TAX EXAMPT OR YOUR VIOLATING CIVIL LAW AS WELL AS CHURCH RULES WHEN YOU SIGN THE LINE ON THE RETURN IF YOU VIOLATED ANY TAX EXAMPT RULES. FREEDOM OF SPEECH HAS A COST CALL TAX. IF IN DOUBT, CALL THE I.R.S. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BELEIVE IN WHAT EVER SPIRTUALLY JUST THOUGH YOU DO NOT FORCE IT ON ANOTHER. I BET THERE ARE RELIGIONS OUT THERE THAT YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH. THEN WHY DO YOU WANT TO FORCE YOUR BELIEFS ON OTHERS THROUGH OUR GOVERMENT? P.S. ANYONE THAT SNEAKS INTO THE USA IS ILLEGAL AND WE AMERICANS CANNOT AFFORD ANY ILLEGALS. COME TO AMERICA THE LEGAL WAY. KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK QUESTIONS.

Posted by: usapdx | April 6, 2009 2:00 PM
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Paris1969 wrote:" the answer is to look at the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures. Who put the immigrants here? G-d did. And if G-d has opened the way for them to be here, then we need to love them, support them in building a better life, and know that we are "One" with them as Jesus taught. Does it take Nancy Pelosi to tell it like it is? She said our treatment of undocumented workers is un-American! She was only half-right, it is also un-Christian, un-Godly, and lacks in compassion and understanding that we are all in this life experience together and how we "treat the least of these" we do to G-d!"

Paris, God put the "immigrants" in their homelands. Surely HE intended them to stay there and use the talents HE gave them to develop their own gardens? Heaven knows, the Catholic Church as been a major presence in Latin America for centuries. Are the Church's teachings so counterproductive to providing a place people want to live on this earth that HIS people need to flee?

Furthermore, our treatment of "undocumented workers", i.e. illegal aliens, is within OUR LAW and our law is NOT religious law. Nor is it "unAmerican" to enforce the law, particularly against people who have already had due process and have had warrants issued for them, as is the case in raids. (Others who don't have warrants but are breaking the law get caught because they're there and law enforcement shouldn't ignore other law breakers.) Nor is it US "separating families" but illegal aliens who choose to leave their U.S.-born kids here--or to have kids here in the first place, knowing that their mere presence here subjects them to deportation.

Now, how about some "compassion" for Americans who are harmed by illegal aliens, ranging from losing jobs and depressed wages to death at the hands of drunk drivers, rapists and murderers? And how about "compassion" for the 5 BILLION people who are poorer than Mexicans, but who rely on our legal immigration system to come here because they don't have a convenient border or the wherewithal to pay a smuggler?

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 10:18 AM
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Quintanilla50 ... please try to read actual history and not the lies made up by the racist hispanic group MECha (actual motto -- look it up! -- : "for our race everything, for other races nothing.")

The war with Mexico was not illegal, immoral or unjust. In fact, many of the people who fought for the freedom of Texas WERE Mexicans who sought freedom from the tyranny of people represented by Santa Ana.

And borders are crucial to the social contract that bonds society together. Funny, you hate the AMERICAN border, but at the same time you lament the ALLEGED (and false) loss of so-calld MEXICAN homeland. So what, MEXICAN borders are OK?

Hypocrite much?

Posted by: GoofyPlatypus | April 6, 2009 10:09 AM
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"Let us all not forget that we are all immigrants. Outside of native people - how did we get here?
And let us not forget all the tax-paying folks who are undocumented. Their numbers are huge. Do the rules change for those who have been paying taxes? Do you all still want to deport them - or do you want them to keep working so their tax dollars keep accumulating?
Folks who forget where they came from are the most scandalous. Look back and remember how you got here and really, get over yourselves and your calls for deportation.
If you are not Indian/Native American - how do you justify such a stance?"

Maria, Native Americans are NOT native to this continent. Furthermore, we're NOT ALL IMMIGRANTS. Most of us were born here which makes us as Native as the Native Americans.

Paying taxes means nothing. It's an OBLIGATION of all who work here, legal or not, because ALL benefit from the services taxes provide, from roads to healthcare to police and defense. It is not, however, the only obligation and is not a sufficient condition for considering one a "citizen". Illegal aliens conveniently ignore OTHER MORE IMPORTANT OBLIGATIONS SUCH AS FOLLOWING THE LAW. Illegal aliens who pay taxes are depriving Americans of the jobs that THEY would use to pay taxes--and driving down wages on which taxes are based to boot. If they're paying taxes they're also likely to be committing fraud or identity theft and ruining American's lives and credit history. The IRS found out for example that only 1/3 of the 6 million people who requested ITINs to pay taxes actually paid them. They decided that the rest simply wanted an ITIN number because it resembled an SS number and could be used to fool naive employers.

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 10:03 AM
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CitizenMaria -- I AM a native of this land. Look up the definition of "native." It means BORN HERE.

I was born here. My parents were born here. My grandparents were born here. My relatives going back to the 1600s were born here. I'm a native.

And for your further information, American Indians have no more legitimate claim to the term "native" than anyone else. Even they migrated here at one time, over the Bering Strait.

You really, really need to understand that we have an established, sovereign country with laws that support our social contract. The illegals are violating that contract and those laws.

And if those of you who claim to be open minded -- and who falsely accuse those of us who oppose ILLEGAL immigration as being intolerant or racist -- were truly open minded, then why aren't you decrying the Mexican government's posting of armed troops on its borders with its southern neighbors with orders to SHOOT. ON. SIGHT. anyone who tries to come north to make a better life for their family?

Huh?

Just think, if all the Mexicans are clamoring to come to the U.S. for a better life, think how bad life must be for the Guatemalans who want to go to Mexico for opportunities. Yet you don't seem to care about them.

Posted by: GoofyPlatypus | April 6, 2009 10:03 AM
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Garak, try a lesson in logic before attacking others. I correctly pointed out that anyone in this country ILLEGALLY is by definition breaking the law.

And you compare that to someone who gets a traffic ticket? I sincerely don't mean to be patronizing, but I encourage you to read this slowly so you'll understand. A LEGAL CITIZEN who breaks the speed limit is STILL A LEGAL CITIZEN.

Someone who INVADES A FOREIGN, SOVEREIGN COUNTRY -- like an ILLEGAL immigrant -- is a lawbreaker.

How hard is it to understand?

Posted by: GoofyPlatypus | April 6, 2009 9:56 AM
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Plaza004433 wrote:"Besides, the pink elephant in the room is that most of the drivel today about immigration, or impeding immigration, is racially motivated and plain covert bigotry."

Yup, those supporting illegal immigration, particularly by Hispanics, make it obvious they are bigots in that they believe that Hispanics are above our laws and should have precedence over legal immigrants from ALL areas of the world. There are also those such as Janet Murguia of LaRaza who go so far as to equate "Hispanics" and "illegal aliens", even though substantial numbers of illegal aliens come from Ireland, Poland, China, India, etc. Ms. Murguia then proceeds to claim that opposition to illegal immigration is really racism BECAUSE SO MANY HISPANICS ARE BREAKING OUR LAWS AND COMING HERE ILLEGALLY (My words. Hers are something along the lines that so many "undocumented workers" are Hispanic that it must be racism to oppose illegal immigration). You should also note that our LEGAL immigration, now numbering about 1 million people a year, is roughly half from Latin America, with Mexico alone accounting for 15-20 percent of it over the past two decades. If anything, our legal immigration policies FAVOR Latinos over other ethnic groups.

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 9:51 AM
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Meantime, with millions of Americans without jobs no Liberal Democrat will address the 500 pound gorilla in the room, millions of invading Illegal Aliens taking millions of jobs that should be American jobs and 100,s billions of dollars in social services that should be for American citizens!

One cannot be political correct and admit that Illegal Aliens are an large part of the problems in this Nation.

Their negative impact extends to every area from Sub-par loans & defaults, Underground economy, Massive document fraud, Lower standard of living, Crime, Overflowing prisons , Bankrupted hospitals, Failing schools, Property Taxes, Insurance costs, Environment, Culture, Welfare costs, Welfare fraud, SS fraud, Voter fraud, Disrespect for our laws & country, our Constitution against invasion and even Balance of payments occurring from oil and other imports to support the 20 to 30 million illegal aliens in this country!

One has to only look at Calif. which is basically mostly an Spanish speaking, Bankrupt state that cannot afford to provide Welfare, Schooling, Medical, Prison cells etc. for millions of MS-13 Gang bangers, Drug dealers, Rapist and other assorted Criminals and uneducated, fast breeding, third world rejects from Mexico!

In a very few years it will be impossible to see where Mexico ends and Calif. begins as both will be an third world cesspool!

Failure to secure our borders and reward the Invading horde for their invasion and their relatives in an never ending chain with American Citizenship is nothing less than committing National Suicide & will assure our future is an over populated Spanish speaking third world Nation that is an Cesspool of Corruption, Crime, Poverty and Misery modeled on Mexico!

Posted by: american1 | April 6, 2009 9:42 AM
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Zamadablam wrote:"When US policies concentrate wealth among the US's richest, and extract wealth for the economies of Central and South America, it is hypocritical to object to Latin immigrants seeking employment in the US. Many of these responsible folks hike across arid desert at night, pay someone else's Social Security taxes, send their earnings home to their families, and work two or three jobs. Sound like good Americans?"

Look to your own house first. Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico is the THIRD RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD. Mexico alone is home to a dozen BILLIONAIRES. Helu got that way through crony capitalism. You should also note that Mexico has the 13th or 14th largest GDP in the world AND SEVERELY RESTRICTS FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF ITS RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY OIL. Furthermore, Latin America's income inequality is largely the result of its own social, economic, and political policies, and especially its tolerance for corruption. If "U.S. firms" are operating in their countries, it's with the compliance and/or conniving of their governments and the citizens of those countries should deal with it. (By the way, most large global corporations these days are NOT "American" and even so-called American firms operate without regard to national interests or loyalty.)

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 9:40 AM
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NotfromVenus wrote:"So the next time people feel the need to complain about illegal immigrants, they should remember - one of their ancestors probably was one."

Actually, until early in the 20th century, it wasn't customary to have such things as passports or to regulate immigration all that strictly. But then, in the 19th century, we had plenty of space, no taxes and social welfare programs, and all it took to succeed was a strong back and a will to work. If you didn't have those, or family to help you, you went back to your home country.

But, even if some of our ancestors WERE illegal aliens--what makes it OK now anymore than it did then? If my grandfather were an embezzler or a bigamist, would that make it OK for me to be?

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 9:32 AM
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Quintanilla50, "illegal alien" is the LEGALLY correct term. Terms such as "undocumented immigrant" are the bogus ones. Most illegal aliens have a plethora of (forged or stolen) documents. Nor are they "immigrants" which are people who are legally authorized for permanent residence here.

As for the churches' concern with immigration--watch it. You're treading on political issues that may well cost you your tax-exempt status. It would also be nice to see you concerned about the welfare of AMERICANS, ALL AMERICANS, not special interest groups such as "Hispanics" who want more illegal immigration and "immigration reform" to suit their own ends. If churches want to be charitable, let them do it on their own dime rather than expecting the taxpayer to foot the bill. For example, let the churches start paying for the healthcare of illegal aliens in their midst, or for the educations of illegal alien children. Better yet, do it in their homelands. It's easy to tell other people how to spend their money (i.e. taxes) or that they shouldn't mind losing their job to illegal aliens, so how about putting your money where your mouth is?

Posted by: Ali4 | April 6, 2009 9:27 AM
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And most Americans (those without their hands in the till) believe that people like quintanilla50 are an abomination.

Posted by: segeny | April 6, 2009 8:38 AM
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It appears that some of you are Lou Dobbs watchers for you to use the highly erroneous and disdainful term "illegal aliens" when refering to Mexican migrants. Indigenous peoples have been migrating back and forth for thousands of years. Mexicans are migrants, not immigrants, foreigners, or strangers. The U.S. government placed that border after an illegal, immoral, and unjust war. This is their sacred Motherland and not somewhere overseas. They did not come to America, they were already here. But now when they cross that U.S.-imposed, artificial border they are called criminals! Of course they don't want to leave their homes and families, but out of desperation many Mexicans are forced to because of the devastating effect NAFTA has had on the working poor there. Human rights trumps "legal" citizen rights. Personally, I believe that erecting a wall and putting a huge scar on Mother Earth is an abomination.

Posted by: quintanilla50 | April 5, 2009 11:30 PM
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I don't understand this: ""What we're trying to do is say 'How do we address this in a way that is Biblical and just and fair?'" said Anderson, pastor of a megachurch in Minnesota. "
... the answer is to look at the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures. Who put the immigrants here? G-d did. And if G-d has opened the way for them to be here, then we need to love them, support them in building a better life, and know that we are "One" with them as Jesus taught. Does it take Nancy Pelosi to tell it like it is? She said our treatment of undocumented workers is un-American! She was only half-right, it is also un-Christian, un-Godly, and lacks in compassion and understanding that we are all in this life experience together and how we "treat the least of these" we do to G-d!

Posted by: paris1969 | April 5, 2009 11:27 PM
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American's (and all world inhabitants) need to start following the lead of Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the founding fathers that recognized that the three Abrahmic religions are not only "not true" but only the weak "sheep" need a Shepard.

If you have an opportunity please read the Jefferson Bible that contains only the teachings of Jesus not a ridiculous claim to divinity.

In the beginning was the word and the word was law and law was God. How hard is that to understand.

Posted by: epremus | April 5, 2009 9:25 PM
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Maryann261: "The solution to our immigration problem is to end immigration."

Perfectly stated.

How I wish that the immigration issue was put to a vote by the American people and not the swine politicians.

I guarantee there'd be a mass exodus to the South, pronto!!

Posted by: rcubedkc | April 5, 2009 9:09 PM
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Garak wrote: "No one who broke the speed limit, even by 1 mph, on the way to work can be called a legal worker. Their very presence is a violation of the law."
=======
Wow, Garak, that's a real stretch. Let's see how we can deal with that. Yep, I may speed while driving. In fact, I do that just about every time I drive, usually 5+ mph more than the posted limited. However, first violation of most motor laws are not "crimes" per se. They are violations of law, but not crimes. That is why most motor vehicle cases are not tried in criminal court.

Second, speeding does not in any way impugn my citizenship status. As an American by birth, I can not be deported nor can I have my citizenship stripped simply for speeding.

Third, even if it were the case that the commission of such a crime could effect my immigration status, as soon as I stop speeding, the crime is stopped and, hence, I return to my former status.

Lastly, the illegalito's crime may start as soon as he/she enters the country illegally. However, the commission of that crime is on-going until the illegalito either leaves the country or is able to adjust his/her status. Since most illegalitos never do either, it is safe to say that the very presence of the illegalito "is" a crime and not "was" a crime.

Posted by: JoStalin | April 5, 2009 7:15 PM
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'How do we address this in a way that is Biblical and just and fair?'

Hmmm. Let's see. What would Jesus say?

Probably this: "Obey ALL of my Father's Commandments - including those two pesky ones that so many churches, as they seek more people in their pews and more power in politics, have 'deleted'.

You remember them, right? "Thou shalt not covet" - (to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others) - and "Thou shalt not steal" (the identities, the services, the jobs, etc. of Americans). Pesky Commandments - two that the illegal alien invaders on a daily basis violate, with the collaboration of the churches and politicians.

Yet those pesky Commandments appear to have been deleted from the churches' teachings. Instead, they have substituted them with "Thou shalt allow lawbreakers to flourish without consequence" and "Thou shalt allow the bifurcation of your nation."

Posted by: segeny | April 5, 2009 4:49 PM
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Typical liberal newspaper. Article on Faith professes none exists.

Posted by: jloiacon | April 5, 2009 3:34 PM
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The various churches stance on illegal immigration is anti-family! The families that are being hurt are the families of US citizens and legal residents who are struggling to support their familes during this recession. If amnesty is granted to illegal aliens, these families will have to support these illegal aliens and additional family members that will migrate to America. The invasion of unskilled workers will bankrupt US citizens and their families. Depressed wages and lost jobs will stress and breakup American families!

The globalization of labor means that US families will not see a future of better lives for their children. I live in Gwinnett County, GA where local taxpayers pay more than $300 million each year to support educations for the children of illegal aliens. We are the largest school district in GA, but problems are rampant in communities with high numbers of illegal aliens.

These problems will soon be prevalent across the US!

Posted by: rwamail | April 5, 2009 1:14 PM
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The inscription at the bottom of the statue of Liberty is but an outmoded poem. The idea that we are ALL immigrants, therefore illegal aliens should be allowed to freeload off overburdened American workers is ludicrous, and thought up by the pr staff of rich corporate bosses who want cheap labor. I am sick and tired of hearing Americans called names, e.g., "arrogant, cowardly, racist" when they are the most generous helpful people on the face of this earth and the poor who laughingly pour across the border are the most self-centered, greedy, stealing folks I've seen. They bring drugs and disease, and its wrong, not right.

Posted by: drzimmern | April 5, 2009 1:07 PM
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Migrating to America legally is, and should be, a long, drawn-out procedure meant to protect the interests of American citizens. It involves more than simply jumping a fence and heading north in pursuit of free health care, education, food stamps, and other handouts paid for by U.S. taxpayers.

Legal immigration means enduring rigorous hurdles like background checks to detect a criminal background or possible ties to terrorists; medical examinations to detect diseases still prevalent in third-world nations, but long since eradicated here; proof of financial solvency so as to prevent newcomers from becoming a burden on U.S. taxpayers, and testing for knowledge of American history and English skills.

Those who have jumped a fence into America in order to avoid our immigration checks are not immigrants. Rather, they are invading criminals, with no claim whatsoever to the welcome mat extended to legal immigrants.

Posted by: hunter340 | April 5, 2009 12:26 PM
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Something the evangelicals should remember is that all but a handful of Americans are the descedents of immigrants - and many of those immigrants were, in fact, undocumented. It's not popular among the reactionary types to admit it, but illegal immigration to America has been a wide-scale problem (if it really is one) for centuries.

So the next time people feel the need to complain about illegal immigrants, they should remember - one of their ancestors probably was one.

Posted by: notfromvenus | April 5, 2009 12:07 PM
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"Welcoming the Stranger" is the Trojan Horse within which is contained an organized invasion for conquest of the de facto anti-Roman Catholic "Whig" United States of America. That so few know "whig" means "anti-Roman Catholic" is testament to Rome's Fifth Column's effectiveness. Thomas Jefferson, America's Whig Founder, called Rome "an engine for enslaving mankind,""the real Anti-Christ."

Who here believes him or herself more intelligent that Mr. Jefferson?

Rome's power is so great here (as if an example beyond their assassination of JFK to keep us in their papal estate of Vietnam...or having only the Roman Catholics on the Supreme Court violate the Constitution and precedent by illegally cheating Hitler's banker's homosexual draft-dodging grandson into the White House to commit 9/11) that they had no qualms about openly publishing their stratagem for "constructing the Kingdom of God," through their promotion of illegal immigration, specifically to the U.S.: it is enunciated for all to read in "The National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry" (available at you local RC cathedral library or on Amazon.com).

Those who think of themselves as "American" yet are co-opted by the lies promulgated by the Babylonian pedophile priesthood would do well to consider the American Creed as a bona fide path to G-d and "Annuit Coeptis."

The Founders believed they made Covenant to establish the prophesied New Israel.

Is there more than One Creator G-d?

Posted by: iamerican | April 5, 2009 9:40 AM
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They have the right to protest in the st.,
they have a right to work,, they have a right to depose, by election, political leaders, they have a right to change immigration laws, they have a right to wave their ugly flag during protest and parades, they have a right to collectively bargain for better living,working and medical as well as education, they have the right to run for political office, they have the right to own small or large business, they have the right to own property and the right to choose their own religion!

Unfortunately those rights do not extend across the Rio grand, if they actually LOVED their country, They would take it back from the corrupt officials who govern them, they have more gold, oil, silver and coal than the U.S., they have the birth place of corn and fertile ground to grow corn for ethanol, which can be exported to the U.S., thus freeing up our corn to feed the world (which lowers commodity prices), This is work "mexicans refuse to do" for their countries benefit as well as theirs. IF YOU REALLY LOVED YOUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOM, YOU'D FIGHT FOR IT TO THE DEATH, JUST LIKE OUR SOLDIERS DO!, jUST LIKE THOSE FOLKS AT KENT STATE, OR Tienanmen SQUARE, LIKE THOSE GERMANS WHO TORE DOWN THE WALL.

THE WORLD IS FULL OF SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES ON HOW TO TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK, ABANDONING YOUR COUNTRY ISN'T ONE OF THEM!

Posted by: victorlove1 | April 5, 2009 9:31 AM
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When US policies concentrate wealth among the US's richest, and extract wealth for the economies of Central and South America, it is hypocritical to object to Latin immigrants seeking employment in the US. Many of these responsible folks hike across arid desert at night, pay someone else's Social Security taxes, send their earnings home to their families, and work two or three jobs. Sound like good Americans?

Posted by: zamadablam | April 5, 2009 7:50 AM
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Illegals must go home. It is not the responsibility of the U.S. to cure the ills caused by incompetent, corrupt foreign governments. The illegals are stealing jobs from American citizens and more importantly are driving down the wages of the unskilled, semi-skilled labor market. Without illegal labor, the housing bubble could not and would not have occurred.

Most of the ills caused by the illegals are welcome news to Democrats who want to capture the illegal vote after handing them undeserved citizenship.

It is not up to any religious movement to determine the law based on some moral sentiment.

Posted by: hz9604 | April 5, 2009 7:26 AM
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Anyone who has lived on the border knows the most important issues are poverty and crime. I don't care if you are a Taoist or a Hindu. Your religious beliefs mean nothing to me. As for as I'm concerned, if you support illegals you support more poverty and more crime. And, if you are more concerned about the people of the world than you are your own citizens I believe you are guilty of treason.

Posted by: rusty3 | April 4, 2009 11:49 PM
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GoofyPlatypus wrote: "No one here illegally can be called a law-abiding citizen. Their very presence here is a violation of the law."

No one who broke the speed limit, even by 1 mph, on the way to work can be called a legal worker. Their very presence is a violation of the law.

Let's have amnesty so the Lou Dobbs crowd will die of apoplexy.

Posted by: Garak | April 4, 2009 7:47 PM
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"The book points out the hard facts for evangelicals: An increasing number of evangelical Protestants are Hispanic immigrants, who support a path to citizenship and other reforms."

Shhhhhsh! The evangelicals are hell bent on destroying their own movement -I say let them.

Besides, the pink elephant in the room is that most of the drivel today about immigration, or impeding immigration, is racially motivated and plain covert bigotry.

Posted by: plaza04433 | April 4, 2009 1:48 PM
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Imagine if it was forbidde, on WAPO (onfaith/onreligion & postglobal) to use the words "JACQ{UE}LI{NE}" Or "SAL{MO{N}"

"OBAM{A}" Or "IMM{MIG}RATION}" w/out the Curly Brackets (open & close Quotes Marks Ok) Or "G-{D}" Or

"SA{LLY}" "QU{i}NN" or "DA{VID" "WA{}TERS" or " "FA{R}EED" "ZAK{A}R}IA}" or "DAV-ID" "I{}G{}NATiUS" or the word "Washing{ton}" or "PO{ST" , MOSES, JESUS etc..???

For a test of "Ingoodfaith" Please remove curly brackets in WAPO's Editor & hit "Submit" button. For the Word:

""SH{i}L{O}H" [PEACE BRINGER]. So

WHY would Washington Post or George Town University et al; be soo so afraid of a (biblical) word meaning, "PEACE", Freidan, PAZ, Mir, SHALOM or "SH{}{A}{L}{O}{M}", Salaam, Ahimsah, Zhingyu"?.....?.. Testing testing:

"HUE{-}MATES"
"JO{}K}{T}AN" [The UNITED Ancestors]
{WE [i] Cometh from This Father/Mother EBERu line} hence [i] WE; US? are innately evolved as "HUEMATES" not as HUMAN anymore. As Prophecy: WE [i] Removeth the "Scepter & the Rod.. from Both hand & between King DAVID's realm who are "P{E}{L}E{G"ians [The DIVIDED Ancestors]. WE Reverseth the DRUNKIN NOAH [racist] CURSETH/SINETH preposterous Story of Moses & his Jealoused Co., And So
INSTEAD of god, replaced "ITSELF" w/the knowledge of "IT" via the Holyi Cosmic "MELCHIZEDEK PEACE-BLESSING" & more "Good TiDINGS"!

Testing Testing:

"P{E}{L}E{G"
[Means the "DIVIDED" Eber/ABRAHAMICs branch/splinter, Isaac, Ishamael, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Esau, Jesus, includes Muhammad Folks, Mormons too etc.., as their Lineage/Ancestor (NOT OUR's, Never! or unlike US HUEMATE-arians of that Holyi Cosmic NEBULA awared "IT"s (G-D) Naturally Selected , aka, Chosen, "JO{}K}{T}AN"ian) EBERu race!


WOW! WHY WAPO???????????? WHO {Sect?, Cult?, Preacher, Editor, Moderator(s) , Mormon {Michael Otterson}, Evangelousical? , rick Warren? {Chuck Colson}? David Waters & Deepak Chopra? The Vatican the Wahabbi's, Chief Rabbinites {Adin Steinsaltz}, & or Brad Hirschfield? etc..} is Behind This Blatant 1st Amendment Violation conspiracy & Jealous Anti Public-Internet DEVILISH/EVIL Censorings???

Wow! Please WAPO & Co., stop Jealously Blocking OUR, not your, Intellectual works about the "IT" [G-D doing work & becoming what one is becoming] And then Borrow for Ye gains or Withholding such whiteboarding hard work from its genuine Authors!?

Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 4, 2009 12:18 PM
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Let us all not forget that we are all immigrants. Outside of native people - how did we get here?

And let us not forget all the tax-paying folks who are undocumented. Their numbers are huge. Do the rules change for those who have been paying taxes? Do you all still want to deport them - or do you want them to keep working so their tax dollars keep accumulating?

Folks who forget where they came from are the most scandalous. Look back and remember how you got here and really, get over yourselves and your calls for deportation.

If you are not Indian/Native American - how do you justify such a stance?

Posted by: citizenmaria | April 4, 2009 1:09 AM
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I am not religious at all, but evangelicals are right about improved border enforcemnt and deportation of all illegals. The borders could be extremely well protected but for the bums of politicians who use that reason as an excuse to flood this country with legal and illegal immigrants. There is no such thing as a right to enter this country and stay.

All illegal immigrants are criminals as soon as they step on U.S. soil. There is no excuse for not deporting them. The politicians want them here because they are a source of cheap labor.

My idea for immigration is to close the borders completely. End all immigration to the U.S. Dport all illegals, including their children. End family unification for legal immigrants. The solution to our immigration problem is to end immigration.

Posted by: Maryann261 | April 3, 2009 8:51 PM
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Let me get this straight. You just wrote "a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding people who entered this country illegally."

Do you see the problem with that sentence? That concept? That idea?

It's on oxymoron. No one here illegally can be called a law-abiding citizen. Their very presence here is a violation of the law.

And like the Democrats on one hand and the Republicans on the other, churches that support illegals do so disingenuously. They're not trying to help these invaders, civilly or spiritually. They're trying to expand their own power base.

Posted by: GoofyPlatypus | April 3, 2009 10:46 AM
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if you want to help criminals help criminals , like as fare as illegals go help them back to their home , then show them where they need to go to get legal passage to our country it cant be too hard if those that aided in 911 can get in then the ones being taken back and shown the door to come thru should not find it to difficult.to me it is an overwhelming shame that businesses can be prosicuted for hireing illegals but low income housing that allow them a place to live aren't.these low income or funding assisted housing places should be going to legal and natural citicens only, not to illegals at all,i'm all for allowing imagration into our country after all its what we are known for as being the melting pot,but we have laws to uphold and i dont see supporting illegal activities as supporting our laws of protecting those that are under the laws.but since we can have a president with out a birth certificate prooving his citicenship i guess its all good. and illegal is not a bad thing in any form .

Posted by: sinnersunited | April 3, 2009 10:33 AM
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