At the spring meeting in Nashville, the board of the Alliance of Baptists endorsed a statement on just and humane immigration reform brought by the Peace & Justice Committee that will be presented for affirmation by the membership at the convocation this summer.

The statement requires us to consider immigration through the lens of our faith. Thus, the statement calls on Alliance congregations to pray, teach and preach (pay attention pastors!) about the biblical, spiritual and moral basis for compassionate hospitality toward immigrants, and to join with other faith communities in advocating for just, humane, equitable and comprehensive immigration reform.

FACT: Including reforms that provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants in congressional legislation would dramatically increase the Gross Domestic Product by $1.5 trillion over 10 years through increases in tax revenue, wage growth, job creation and investments. — Center for American Progress report.

Such comprehensive reform should include:  1) a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and their families; 2) expansion of the legal avenues of entry for families who are separated and for those who seek work; and 3) border and enforcement policies that reflect humanitarian values and due process protections.

The debate and discussion on immigration reform in our current political climate is often acrimonious. It is especially important for our churches and people of faith to rise in unequivocal defense of the stranger, the sojourner and our most vulnerable neighbors. While we people of faith and Alliance of Baptists congregations might not have all the specific legislative answers on immigration policies, we do have answers on how to treat people. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and reminds us that people of faith will be judged on the way we treat the foreigners in our midst. We must consistently, and often, lift our voices for love and justice to be reflected in the discussions and debates on this issue as well as in proposed legislation.

There is a story, which is a nice story even if not true, that the King of Denmark wore a yellow star during the German occupation to show solidarity with the Jewish people in his country. Some churches are making buttons that say, “I might be illegal” as a way to show solidarity with our friends who do not have documentation. 

As Alliance of Baptists, to keep faith with our Covenant, let us side with those who are poor and let us pursue justice for those who are oppressed.