New "sanctuary" movement planned for illegal immigrants

The Associated Press

Published: 03.16.2007

Churches in a handful of U.S. cities, including Tucson, are preparing to launch a "sanctuary" movement to help illegal immigrants avoid deportation and unite faith-based groups in a push for immigration reform.

The "New Sanctuary Movement" is based on the sanctuary movement of the 1980s, when churches harbored Central American refugees who were fleeing wars in their home countries, said the Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, executive director of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, an interfaith association spearheading the plans.

"At the time we were able to make major changes and awaken the moral imagination of the community," said Salvatierra. "Immigration today is still a human rights issue."

These are not being persecuted for their faith. They are violating civil law for profit. Therefore, what these "clergy" are doing has nothing to do with true righteousness and everything to do with secular humanism which is a religion all by itself that contradicts Biblical principles. It would be more appropriate to assist the illegals to return to their country and family then set up training and invest in establishing business ventures in that country. In that why, the society from which they came could be transformed. -mm