A group of evangelical pastors from Illinois is heading to Washington today to push for immigration reform. Fifteen pastors are part of the contingent.. They’ll be meeting mostly with Republican congressmen, including U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton), Randall M. Hultgren (R-Winfield), Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) and Aaron Schock (R-Peoria), because they’re in the majority in the House and can make things happen.
Rev. Chris McElwee of Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago says they have a statement of principles. “We are urging members of Congress, especially those here in Illinois, to listen (to) and look at these particular statements, which includes respect for the God-given dignity of every person, protects the unity of the immediate family, of course respects the rule of law, guarantees secure national borders, insures fairness to taxpayers and establishes a path toward legal citizenship to those who qualify,” he said.
McElwee says the clergymen involved have diverse congregations, some of which are themselves large in diverse per se, so there are a variety of political views on the issue, but the pastors are comfortable adhering to this statement of principles.
The U.S. Senate passed a reform measure last year, but it has not come before the House for a vote. This group is hoping for a vote in June.