Leaders of Texas Christian denominations joined with Jewish and Muslim clergy in calling for compassion and mutual respect as lawmakers opened public testimony on a series of bills that would impose new state sanctions on undocumented persons, require proof of citizenship for an array of activities, and remove the authority of police departments to prioritize public safety over identification of possible undocumented immigrants.

More than 40 senior religious leaders from throughout the state endorsed the Texas Interfaith Leaders Statement on Immigration Legislation in the 82^nd Texas Legislature. Together, the leaders represent more than 10 million Texans.

United Methodist Bishop James Dorff of San Antonio said his denomination and other faith traditions oppose the legislation because it would undermine racial reconciliation and damage local communities. We urge Texas legislators to reject policies that could encourage discrimination, co-opt local law enforcement, or scapegoat immigrants, Dorff said.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said that faith communities support immigration reform but see it as a federal issue outside the control of the Texas Legislature.

Our nation's immigration system is flawed and results in suffering not only within our borders, but also throughout the rest of the world. Our faith traditions have called strenuously and tirelessly for Congress to reform our federal immigration system, and we will continue to do so, DiNardo said.

Dr. Javier Elizondo, Executive Vice President and Provost of the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, said the legislation under consideration could have unintended consequences for American citizens.

Texas Legislators should be cautious when considering policies that could detract from safety and risk the inadvertent deprivation of the civil and constitutional rights of citizens and lawful permanent residents, Elizondo said.

Imam Yusuf Z. Kavakci of the Islamic Association of North Texas said anti-immigrant sentiment reflects fear, and that lawmakers should lead Texas out of a paradigm of fear to one of respect.

By affirming the dignity of every person, including those who migrate, lawmakers can help the people of Texas move from fear to respect. And only with respect can we work with all Americans to build a truly just national immigration system, Kavakci said.

The statement and list of signatories is available online here. 

Representatives of the Catholic bishops, the United Methodist bishops, the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas will provide oral and written testimony in the House State Affairs hearing this afternoon. The hearing will include House Bill 12, the so-called sanctuary cities legislation that is among the items the Governor has declared emergency legislation.

The Texas Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas.

For more information visit www.TXcatholic.org

Texas Impact was established by Texas religious leaders in 1973 to be a voice in the Texas legislative process for the shared religious social concerns of Texas faith communities. Texas Impact is supported by more than two-dozen Christian, Jewish and Muslim denominational bodies, as well as hundreds of local congregations, ministerial alliances and interfaith networks, and thousands of people of faith throughout Texas.

For more information visit texasimpact.org

Since 1950, the Christian Life Commission (CLC) has served as the ethics agency of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The CLC has the assignment of speaking to, but not for, churches and individuals about important ethical issues.

For more information visit texasbaptists.org