Immigration forum lets Lincolnites voice their opinion

By ALISSA SKELTON / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com | Posted: Sunday, November 7, 2010 8:52 pm | (22) Comments

Religion and immigration haven't been linked in the past, but some Lincoln Christians say they soon will be.

About 200 people spent their Sunday afternoon discussing a possible Arizona-type immigration law that could face Nebraska during its next legislative term and how to respond.

In May, Sen. Charlie Janssen said he drafted an immigration bill similar to Arizona's and plans to introduce it in the 2011 session.

Former state senator and United Methodist minister Lowen Kruse encouraged those attending the special peacemaking workshop at First United Methodist Church to write to their state senator about their views on immigration reform.

Religious people aren't speaking out on the topic, Kruse said.

Most of Sunday's workshop participants were white, educated church goers who said they think federal immigration laws are terribly broken and need reform.

"Immigration laws are so broken and out of touch with reality, and we have to fix it," said Marvin Almy of Waverly, who is a chairman at Good Neighbor Community Center and former director of the Lincoln Literacy Council. "Congress needs to stop ignoring it and act."

Lincoln resident Marge Chaney said she thinks the issue is becoming too politicized. She plans to write to her senator.

"I have never been an activist in the past, but this issue makes me angry," Chaney said. "I think we are forgetting that our ancestors were immigrants too."

Former Lincoln mayor Coleen Seng organized the event because, she said, immigration is "on top of us and we need to respond."

On Sunday, the Rev. Chuck Bentjen, director of the Beatrice-based Manna and Mercy Center for Faith in Public Life, handed out a study that was conducted by the center and says the law "doesn't adequately address what to do with those who have been in the U.S. for a number of years and now have families."

"We accepted immigrants into the community and then take apart the families we helped form," Kruse said. "We have to treat the neighbors in our midst with more support and care."

The workshop was co-sponsored by Nebraskans for Peace and Peacemaking Workshop, an interfaith group with support from more than 30 churches and organizations.

First United Methodist Church will host a second Peacemaking Immigration Workshop on Jan. 16 to discuss further strategies for promoting federal legislation and opposing local legislation.

Reach Alissa Skelton at 402-473-2682 or askelton@journalstar.com

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