Thread: UT: religious leader pushing for break for illegal aliens

Religious leaders ask lawmakers to push for federal immigration reform
January 24th, 2011 @ 1:51pm
By Amanda Verzello

Reverend Steve Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, joins other local religious leaders in calling for comprehensive immigration reform Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at a press conference at the Utah State Capitol.
SALT LAKE CITY — Local religious leaders on Monday called for Utah lawmakers to put pressure on the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"We believe that we need to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and provide them with an earned pathway to permanent residency, to protect family unity, and ensure the just and equitable treatment of all people," said Rev. Steven A. Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, who organized the news conference at the Capitol.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=833&sid=14123271

Here is the entire article from the link above


Religious leaders ask lawmakers to push for federal immigration reform
January 24th, 2011 @ 1:51pm
By Amanda Verzello

Reverend Steve Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, joins other local religious leaders in calling for comprehensive immigration reform Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at a press conference at the Utah State Capitol.

SALT LAKE CITY — Local religious leaders on Monday called for Utah lawmakers to put pressure on the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"We believe that we need to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and provide them with an earned pathway to permanent residency, to protect family unity, and ensure the just and equitable treatment of all people," said Rev. Steven A. Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, who organized the news conference at the Capitol.

On the first day of Utah's legislative session, Klemz and others called for immigration reform at the federal level rather than passing stricter state laws, such as the bill Rep. Steven Sandstrom, R-Orem, is proposing.

"Immigration is a federal issue and there must be a federal solution rather than the various attempts of states to craft proposals," said Dee Rowland, government liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.

More than 30 members of various religious organizations, including the United Church of Christ, St. Mark's Cathedral, and the First Baptist Church, have signed a letter asking the United States Congress to pass "humane" immigration legislation. Letters have also been sent to Gov. Gary Herbert, Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, and Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo.

"(Immigrants) are not so much breaking the law as they are being broken by the law," Rowland said. She suggested a path to citizenship for immigrants already living in Utah who are willing to pay a fine, undergo a criminal background check and provide proof of paying taxes.

Many leaders present at the conference, although not sponsored by the organizers of the Utah Compact, support and have signed the statement, which calls for Utah lawmakers to lead efforts in strengthening federal immigration laws and protecting national borders.

Originally Posted by legalalien

Religious leaders ask lawmakers to push for federal immigration reform
January 24th, 2011 @ 1:51pm
By Amanda Verzello

Reverend Steve Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, joins other local religious leaders in calling for comprehensive immigration reform Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at a press conference at the Utah State Capitol.
SALT LAKE CITY — Local religious leaders on Monday called for Utah lawmakers to put pressure on the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"We believe that we need to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and provide them with an earned pathway to permanent residency, to protect family unity, and ensure the just and equitable treatment of all people," said Rev. Steven A. Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, who organized the news conference at the Capitol.\\\\
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=833&sid=14123271

I hear



I don't think so
ship them back to Mexico No Amnesty

Nuh uh, they choose to "live in the shadows", we didn't put them there. They can choose to get out of the "shadows" and go home.

Spin it any way ya want it padre, don't care. Laws are here for a reason, not liking the laws is no excuse for breaking them. DEPORT!

revoke the tax status of any church who supports illegal immigration, lets illegals use it for a shelter from the feds or anything like what this pastor says.

he also says the AZ 1070 bill is wrong

Separation of Church and State!!!!

If the church's keep "pushing politically", then they should have their "non-profit organizations" status immediately revoked so all the churches across the U.S. can be heavily taxed (property, income, etc.).... what do you say Churches across the U.S.? Don't you think you should start paying heavy taxes for all the illegals in the U.S.?????????

website http://zelc.org/category/for-congregati ... ditorials/


Arizona law a sin


Public Forum Letter (pub. Salt Lake Tribune)



“Who is my neighbor?â€

"(Immigrants) are not so much breaking the law as they are being broken by the law," Rowland said. She suggested a path to citizenship for immigrants already living in Utah who are willing to pay a fine, undergo a criminal background check and provide proof of paying taxes.

Sounds like a sickening twist on "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us." I mean, do people actually take precious time to sit down and brainstorm until coming up with these laughable phrases? LAWS ARE MEANT TO BREAK CRIMINALS, GEESH!

Hey Rowland, how many of those non law-breaking victims are YOU and your church members willing to take in, pay for, educate, medicate, feed, and provide whatever they demand? It's very nice to be so generous with other people's money, jobs, families and future. You are sacrificing the future of America on the altar of political correctness, NOT the altar of Christianity!!!

I wonder how the majority of their congregation feel on this subject? I bet not the same!

miguelina you hit it right on target........these people chose this way ,let them go back. No more bending rules and laws for these criminals

Why don't all of you churches get together and pay to house them, pay their medical expenses, educate their kids, and compensate the victims of their crimes? Until you do ,,,please SHUT UP! We don't them or you anything. You have tons of compassion for illegal criminals but none for their victims. You are the biggest hypocrites since the BIBLE. Go read it sometime, especially the part about obeying the law!!!