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SALT LAKE CITY — Local religious leaders on Monday called for Utah lawmakers to put pressure on the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
"We believe that we need to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and provide them with an earned pathway to permanent residency, to protect family unity, and ensure the just and equitable treatment of all people," said Rev. Steven A. Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, who organized the news conference at the Capitol.
On the first day of Utah's legislative session, Klemz and others called for immigration reform at the federal level rather than passing stricter state laws, such as the bill Rep. Steven Sandstrom, R-Orem, is proposing.
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Utah Legislature opens for business
Prayers, choirs and speeches opened the Utah Legislature's 2011 general session Monday at the state Capitol."Immigration is a federal issue and there must be a federal solution rather than the various attempts of states to craft proposals," said Dee Rowland, government liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.
More than 30 members of various religious organizations, including the United Church of Christ, St. Mark's Cathedral, and the First Baptist Church, have signed a letter asking the United States Congress to pass "humane" immigration legislation. Letters have also been sent to Gov. Gary Herbert, Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, and Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo.
"(Immigrants) are not so much breaking the law as they are being broken by the law," Rowland said. She suggested a path to citizenship for immigrants already living in Utah who are willing to pay a fine, undergo a criminal background check and provide proof of paying taxes.
Many leaders present at the conference, although not sponsored by the organizers of the Utah Compact, support and have signed the statement, which calls for Utah lawmakers to lead efforts in strengthening federal immigration laws and protecting national borders.
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