Evangelicals Join Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus, Urging Immigration Reform This Year
March 2, 2022
Washington, D.C. — Today the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) joined a diverse new coalition that includes several other faith groups, businesses, and advocacy organizations from across the political spectrum to call on Congress to pass immigration reforms this year.
The Table and many of its member organizations are a part of the newly launched Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC), which today sent a letter to congressional leaders urging bipartisan action.
The letter urges Congress to enact reforms that would “strengthen border security; create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers who came to the United States as children; and ensure a legal, reliable workforce for America’s farmers and ranchers.” A new poll finds that overall 82% of evangelical Protestant registered voters, including 81% of White evangelical Protestants, support these policies, all of which are consistent with positions long advocated by the Evangelical Immigration Table.
In addition to several evangelical groups, other religious organizations joining the letter include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and The Episcopal Church. The following are quotes from leaders within several of the Evangelical Immigration Table leadership organizations that have joined the alliance and signed the letter:
Galen Carey, Vice President of Government Relations, National Association of Evangelicals:
“Members of Congress face a choice: continue to milk the immigration debate for partisan gain, or negotiate common sense reforms that promote prosperity, human dignity and the security of our borders. The American people want action, not attack ads.”
Chris Palusky, President & CEO, Bethany Christian Services:
“Thousands of individuals who have called the U.S. home for most of their lives are stuck in uncertainty as they hope for a pathway to citizenship in a broken immigration system. We at Bethany Christian Services believe a compassionate, effective approach to immigration reform is possible. Bethany partners with followers of Jesus in communities across the country to welcome people from all kinds of backgrounds — they are the neighbors Jesus teaches us to love. They shouldn’t have to live in fear of deportation or family separation any longer. It’s far past time for Congress and the Biden administration to prioritize reforms to the U.S. immigration system.”
Jenny Yang, Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, World Relief:
“With all that is happening in our world, many have forgotten or simply missed the legal jeopardy facing many Dreamers whose lives and livelihoods could be on the line unless Congress acts this year. As World Relief provides legal services and other support to Dreamers, their families and other immigrants throughout the country, we feel keenly the urgency of legislative solutions — which polls consistently show most Americans support. We’re praying that Congress will forge the consensus necessary to finally pass a package of long-overdue immigration reforms, including a path to citizenship for Dreamers, and we’re happy to stand with such a broad group of faith, business and advocacy organizations to urge action.”
