Some clergy still concerned about immigration law
When the first anniversary of
But Pruett, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Guymon, said the law still engenders widespread fear among immigrants in his
He said the anxiety level is such that Hispanic immigrants are continuing to leave Guymon in droves.
“With the possibility of being discovered, there is fear,” Pruett said.
House Bill 1804, authored by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, became law on Nov. 1, 2007. The law makes it a felony to knowingly transport illegal immigrants, creates barriers to hiring illegal immigrants and requires proof of citizenship to receive certain governmental benefits or a driver’s license.
Terrill could not be reached for comment for this posting.
Meanwhile, a
Still, the Rev. Perla Martinez-Goody, an associate pastor at San Mateo Fellowship, a Hispanic ministry of First United Methodist Church of Pauls Valley, said many immigrants have left her city, pulling their children out of school and heading back to their native lands or other states.
She said the exodus due to fear is almost as bad as deportation.
“It’s sad to watch them dismantle their homes.”
The Rev. Leonel Blanco, pastor of Santa Maria Virgen Mision Church in south
Recently the Episcopal priest said members who chose to leave the state are greatly missed because many of them had been with the ministry for a long time and were heavily involved in the church.
Blanco, originally from
The clergy members said they see the immigration reform law as punitive and uncharitable to hardworking people trying to make a better life for their families.
“I see the faces behind the word ‘immigration’ — women, children, men, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. People seem to forget that,” Martinez-Goody said.
Pruett and Martinez-Goody said they hold out hope the law will be repealed and another solution more in keeping with biblical principles of compassion will be found.
“The immigration system needs an overhaul from top to bottom,” Pruett said. “Hopefully whoever gets in the White House will have the courage to do that.”
Martinez-Goody said: “I still pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of the politicians.”
Blanco said more than ever, he is encouraging Hispanic Americans to vote to make sure their voices are heard on such issues as immigration reform.
“That’s the only way our voices are going to be heard,” he said.
BACKGROUND
Last year, clergy opposition against House Bill 1804 gained momentum as the bill was set to become law.
– A council of priests with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City presented Gov. Brad Henry’s office with a signed “Pledge of Resistance,” expressing their opposition to the immigration reform law, a few days before it went into effect. The pledge, also signed by Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran, was crafted by an
– The Catholic Diocese of Tulsa hosted a special Mass the day before the bill became law to pray for Hispanic families concerned about its implementation.
– The Oklahoma Conference of Churches, representing 16 Christian faiths, issued a statement of opposition to the law on the day it went into effect. Conference leaders said the law was unjust.
– About 350 people attended an Interfaith Vigil for Undocumented Persons at an Oklahoma City Catholic church on the day the bill became law.
– The Baptist General Convention of
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
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Comments
Duh. There’s still a bunch in Okla. City they need to deport. On the southside, where the pimps and hookers hang out. Can’t miss it. Come get’em. There’s some illegals bought houses here too, and I found an old law in the state constitution that forbids illegal aliens to own houses. Thanks to them the crooks used them to scam off all your retirement and vacation funds. With nothing left to show for it. There’s changes in the laws need for sure. The anchor baby thing, it’s gotta GO! It’s not even being interpretated right. Theft and crime. That’s ALL it was about.
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