Phoenix, USA - More than a dozen religious leaders are urging Arizona elected officials and community leaders to find a more compassionate way to debate immigration policy.
The mostly evangelical leaders wrote a letter to the governor, House speaker and Senate president asking them to rethink their rhetoric as they search for a viable approach to the illegal immigration problem.
The discussion "is dividing our community, confusing enforcement procedures and creating an unwelcoming spirit for many seeking to make Arizona their home," the leaders said in a letter released Monday. "The debate continues to focus on broad fears and assumptions concerning the complex issue of immigration."
Pastor Gary Kinnaman of the 6,000-member Word of Grace church in Mesa, said faith leaders aren't advocating a specific policy to address illegal immigration. But they do support discussing a path to citizenship for the nation's 12 million illegal immigrants, Kinnaman said.
"No one is illegal in the eyes of God," Kinnaman said. "Regardless of how we stand politically and how we see this issue, there are real people in the crossfire. Somehow we have to affirm the need for law and order, but by the same token, we've got to do something that's compassionate."
Hispanics are being pulled over for minor traffic violations, families are being separated by deportation and some workers in the country illegally are not getting paid, among other hardships, said Kit Danley, president of Neighborhood Ministries, a west Phoenix nonprofit.
Barrett Marson, a spokesman for Republican House Speaker Jim Weiers, said in a statement that, "people obeying the laws should have no fear from law enforcement."
Jeanine L'Ecuyer, a spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, said the religious leaders weren't "too far afield" from the governor on the issue. "We look forward to hearing from them in constructive ways as we go forward," L'Ecuyer said.