Immigration reform: Will we see it in 2013? That’s the burning question on everyone’s mind this year.
A complicated debate and legislative process lie ahead. Here to decipher the headlines for you every Monday is THE UPDATE, a weekly blog series whose panel of experts will analyze how recent events affect the prospects for real reform. The panelists will offer an insider’s view of what’s happening right now on Capitol Hill, bolstered by their decades of experience with immigration reform and the legislative process.
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Given the most recent developments, are we getting any closer to immigration reform? Here’s what the panelists have to say:
Lisa Sharon Harper, Director of Mobilizing, Sojourners
Last week, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.’s urgent call on Washington, and our nation, to live up to the biblical and democratic ideals of justice and equality. While our country has made significant progress toward realizing Dr. King’s dream, we still have not fully achieved that goal and the work continues. In many ways, the push for immigration reform is about those same ideals. Across America, people of faith have urged our elected leaders to fix a broken system that too often denies the God-given dignity of immigrants and the many contributions they make to our communities. It is an urgent call that seeks justice and asks for compassion. Yet, it remains unclear whether Washington realizes the moral urgency that is driving the momentum for reform. A recent Politico article alluded to the biggest threat facing our effort: The passage of time and avoidable delays that have come to define our contemporary legislative process. Congress is in session for a limited number of days during the rest of the calendar year. Then election season is upon us again, and moving substantial legislation becomes almost impossible because of the politics that drive our system. We cannot, and should not, wait any longer. The dreams of our immigrant brothers and sisters remain unfulfilled.
Folabi Olagbaju, National Grassroots Director, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran congregation across the county are making their voices heard and showing their support for immigration reform at this pivotal moment in the campaign. Congregations from California, Georgia, Kansas and Maryland are showing support for compassionate immigration reform by displaying lawn signs to let the public know where they stand on this issue. We would like to continue to see more congregations show their support for immigration reform in this way. Displaying the lawn signs not only is a visible way to demonstrate your support for immigration reform but it also lets Lutheran voices be heard. Request your lawn sign today and show your support for immigration reform.
THE UPDATE will appear every Monday until the dust settles on the legislative battle over comprehensive immigration reform. If you wish to raise your voice for fair reform, please visit our Action Center. You can also learn more about the issues by reading two interviews with someone personally impacted by America’s broken immigration system, Jessica Colotl. Also, don’t forget that you can subscribe to this blog by adding your email address to the box at the top left of this page!