22 Jul FOX NEWS: Evangelical Leaders Call On Non-Latino Pastors To Push For Immigration Reform
Rev. Miguel Rivera, chairman of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC), has called on non-Latino evangelical leaders to take a more active role in advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. While acknowledging increased involvement compared to 2007, Rivera argues that many evangelical leaders have not adequately countered anti-immigrant rhetoric or engaged their congregations to push for change. He stresses the need for these leaders to go beyond prayer by preaching about immigration reform and mobilizing their communities to influence conservative lawmakers. Latino evangelical leaders see the support of non-Latino pastors as critical to passing reforms, particularly in the House of Representatives, where Republican members remain divided, with many opposing pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrants.
Non-Latino evangelical leaders, such as Galen Carey of the National Association of Evangelicals, contend they are actively working to address immigration issues through education and meetings with lawmakers. They emphasize the moral imperative to support immigrants, consistent with Christian values of compassion and justice. Despite these efforts, Rivera points out that the evangelical community has demonstrated far greater mobilization on other issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, and calls for similar commitment to immigration reform. Meanwhile, political figures like Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul continue to court the influential evangelical voter base, though they maintain hardline stances against pathways to citizenship. The chapter highlights the growing but insufficient collaboration between Latino and non-Latino evangelicals to achieve meaningful immigration reform.