A national Latino group has commended the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for its recent resolution backing a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. The resolution, which does not support amnesty, was passed at the SBC annual meeting June 14–15 in Phoenix (visit www.thealabamabaptist.org for details).
Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC), said, “We believe the Southern Baptist Convention’s resolution on immigration is headed in the right direction. Evangelicals everywhere affirm that we can balance the rule of law with compassion.
“The National Latino Evangelical Coalition stands behind all those Christians who advocate for common sense and humane immigration laws,” he said. “Evangelicals and people of good will should press the Congress to move on legislation now.” Marcos Rivera, president of COMPAS and chairman of the NaLEC, said, “We applaud the Southern Baptists for asserting that at the center of Christianity is love of neighbor and stranger. We’ve now seen support for immigration reform from every corner of the Christian community. It’s time for our politicians to follow suit.”
The Southern Baptists’ resolution does not endorse amnesty for undocumented immigrants and calls for border security as a top priority. The SBC resolution also emphasizes that “any form of nativism, mistreatment or exploitation is inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Salguero met earlier this year with President Obama, senior White House officials and key members of Congress to press for a “just and compassionate” immigration reform solution. The NaLEC also has worked with members from all sides of the political spectrum to offer “just alternatives” to the current system. “This country cannot afford immigration laws like those attempted in Arizona and Alabama,” Salguero said. “We need solutions, not political pandering and divisive rhetoric. We need a just and moral way forward.
“We have no doubt that just immigration reform will win the day. It’s what Americans need and want,” he added. “With resolutions similar to those of years past by the National Association of Evangelicals and now the Southern Baptist Convention, this moral cause is sure to triumph.” (NaLEC)
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