Evangelicals split on immigration

More than a dozen California evangelical churches have joined a coordinate nationwide effort, Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, to call for humane treatment of illegal immigrants, stronger border enforcement, guest worker programs and smoother paths to citizenship. Formation of the group and its recent pressure on Congress could signal a major shift between the pulpit and the pew on one of the touchiest subjects in politics.

It's safe to say that white evangelicals are some of the most politically conservative in the country.  A poll in March 2006 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, showed evangelicals are far more conservative on immigration reform than their counterparts in other religions. The survey found that 64% of white evangelicals agreed with the statement 'Immigrants today are a burden on our country because they take our jobs, housing and health care.' The figure was 49% in December 2004.

The Catholic Church has been actively involved in the politics of immigration for decades in California, but this newest movement represents a major coming out for evangelical leaders, and a threat to more conservative Republicans who would like to see illegal immigrants deported wholesale. (The Coalition For Illegal Immigration and Border Control holds a demonstration last week in Palo Alto, pictured.)

Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform this week began an advertising campaign in Washington D.C. and sent 200,000 letters to members of Congress. Quoting scripture, the group said: "We believe in the rule of law, but we also believe that we are to oppose unjust laws and systems that harm and oppress people made in God's image, especially the vulnerable."

(Photo: Paul Sakuma/AP) Hat tip to California Majority Report.