Christian Leaders Call on President Obama to Lead the Immigration Reform Debate
For Immediate Release Contact: Jason Gedeik (202) 745-4633
Christian Leaders Call on President Obama to Lead the Immigration Reform Debate
New Interactive Website Launched To Engage the Growing Support among Faith Communities for Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – June 10, 2009 — Today leading Christian voices joined together to launch Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform’s renewed effort for compassionate reform in anticipation of upcoming White House meetings. Religious leaders on the call discussed the growing need for immigration reform and announced the launch of a new website and statement of principles as part of coordinated efforts within the faith community to pass comprehensive immigration legislation.
The nation is experiencing a growing movement and political will for humane and practical solutions to fix our broken immigration system. The faith community is prepared to support and help President Obama achieve his campaign promise to address immigration reform. A new statement of immigration reform principles was released today that calls on President Obama to provide leadership by fostering civil dialogue on immigration that reflects the best of our nation’s civic and moral values. Twenty eight national organizations and over forty prominent faith leaders have signed the statement calling for change in our nation’s immigration system.
To support the growing grassroots movement for immigration reform, a new interactive website was also launched, www.faithandimmigration.org, that is designed to equip the faith community to engage in the immigration debate. This site features organizing resources and a clearinghouse of information on the need for immigration reform and the role the faith community can play in supporting reform efforts.
AUDIO To access an online audio recording of the teleconference please visit:
RECORDING: http://faithandimmigration.org/pressroom
INTERVIEWS: All of the spokespeople are available for interviews.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DISCUSSION:
REVEREND SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership
Conference
"Every day that passes without Comprehensive Immigration Reform adds tarnish to the soul of our Nation. Embedded within the Historical election of 2008 lies a clarion call and a prophetic supplication for national unity accompanied by an alignment of our core values. Values that include both security and compassion, the rule of law and welcoming the stranger, mercy and justice.
We applaud our President and declare that we stand with him as he demonstrates that he is a man of his word. A word promised in the campaign to the immigrant and Hispanic community. A word affirmed and reiterated to the Hispanic Congressional Caucus earlier this year. Mr. President, this is the year. This is the year for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The window is open in 2009. We understand the political realities of 2010 and pray that in 2009 you do not forget about a very important number. That number is 12 million people living in the shadows.
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