The political climate, following last fall’s presidential election, may be ripe for immigration reform. Well known evangelical leaders believe immigration reform is a moral issue that church people need to support, now.
Former Madison resident Stephan Bauman, now president of World Relief, joined other evangelicals in a video that makes a biblical case for reform.
This evangelical immigration reform initiative brings together such well known names as Max Lucado, Bill Hybels, and Leith Anderson, as well as unlikely partners such as Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Jim Wallis of Sojourners.
These leaders have gathered around The Evangelical Immigration Table, supporting a statement that begins: “Our national immigration laws have created a moral, economic and political crisis in America.” They call for a bipartisan solution to the current political stalement on the issue that:
- Respects the God-given dignity of every person
- Protects the unity of the immediate family
- Respects the rule of law
- Guarantees secure national borders
- Ensures fairness to taxpayers
- Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents
Last week Bauman and the Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, wrote an article for the online news site Politico, to publicize the initiative.
“For too long, we have watched as families have been separated and our communities have frayed. Now, united, we urge our political leaders to set aside differences and create an immigration process that strengthens our communities and benefits all Americans.”
Others who have signed onto the campaign include Alec Hill, President of Madison-based InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, as well as Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Ministers at Large for Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, and Elmbrook Senior Pastor Philip Griffin.