On Immigration, Candidates Should Seek "Iowa Nice"
As you well know, the rhetoric surrounding immigration reform has reached a fevered pitch in recent months. The Anti-Defamation League released a report yesterday showing that even mainstream groups opposed to immigration have begun to adopt the language of extremist groups.
A few years ago, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (members listed below) was formed to call for an immigration policy that reflects our belief that all people are made in the image of God and to push hard for legislation that would enact comprehensive immigration reform. We can’t let those whose immigration rhetoric is tinged with hatred lead us to inaction on vital policy. We think most people would agree: “That Ain’t America.”
With the presidential campaign in full swing and immigration on the agenda, it’s time to send a message from the grassroots to the presidential candidates, calling on them to raise the level of debate. Therefore, the coalition has begun working with faith and community groups in a state that really matters to presidential candidates: Iowa.
Spearheaded by the Iowa Commission on Civil Rights, Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors, and the Iowa Interfaith Alliance, the new Iowa Interfaith Immigration Coalition and the national coalition are working to gather 10,000 signatures from Iowans of faith on a petition that injects civility into the immigration debate and that will be mailed to the presidential candidates of both parties.
The petition reads:
“We pledge ourselves as people of faith and goodwill to stand with our immigrant neighbors who have come to the United States from throughout the world. Recognizing the moral imperative to welcome the stranger in our midst, we commit ourselves to support laws that affirm their dignity, preserve their families, and acknowledge the value of their presence among us.”
If you are an Iowan and you agree with those sentiments, sign up. If you know Iowans who would agree with those sentiments, encourage them to sign up. Signatures are being gathered until November 26 and there will be a press conference in Iowa during the first week of December before the petition is mailed to the presidential candidates.
It’s time to raise the level of debate on an issue that affects the lives of millions. It’s time to prove that the rhetoric of hate is not only immoral, but also bad politics. We hope you’ll spread the word.
Cross-posted at Street Prophets
This is the opinion of Ben Weyl of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and does not necessarily reflect the views of the entire coalition.
National Members of the Interfaith Immigration CoalitionAnti-Defamation League
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
American Islamic Congress
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA)
B’nai B’rith International
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
Church Women United (CWU)
Church World Service/Immigration and Refugee Program
Columbian Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office
Community of St. Francis, Province of the Americas
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Episcopal Church USA
Gamaliel National Clergy Caucus Leadership Council
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Hindu American Foundation
International Catholic Migration Commission
Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Institute on Religion and Public Policy
Irish Apostolate, USA
Islamic Circle of North America
Jesuit Conference
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Jubilee Campaign USA
Justice for Our Neighbors Immigration Clinic Network
La Ermita - The Hermitage
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Mexican American Cultural Center
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Council of Jewish Women
National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA
NETWORK--A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Presbyterian Church (USA), Stated Clerk
Shalom Center
Sikh Council on Religion and Education
Sojourners and Call to Renewal
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Union for Reform Judaism
United Jewish Communities
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
United Methodist Committee on Relief
United States Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
Wider Church Ministries - United Church of Christ
Women In Islam, Inc.
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
World Relief
Comments
I agree it seems these guys are skipping around these types of issues because they are afriad they may not be able to answer the questions correctly or because they are afraid of losing votes.
Posted by: Atlanta Realtor | October 30, 2007 1:15 PM