Hispanic ministries adjust to immigration law

Baptist Press ^ | Feb 6, 2012 | David Roach

[moonshinner_09]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- Fearful members. Declining church attendance. Concerned pastors. Uncertain futures. Despite dramatic changes in the life of many Hispanic congregations in Alabama with the new immigration law, the news isn't all bad.

"A lot of people left," Carlos Gomez said of the Hispanic congregation he leads at First Baptist Church in Center Point. "I called them back and some of them returned. But I know of another ministry that is close to me here in town that had around 120, and now it has about 40."

Reports of decreased attendance in Hispanic congregations are common since the law took effect last fall. Among its provisions is a requirement that police, when making routine stops, investigate the legal status of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. The law also imposes penalties for businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

A federal court struck down several provisions of the law, including a ban on knowingly transporting or harboring illegal immigrants.

Even some legal immigrants stopped attending church and left the state after the law took effect, Gomez said, because they were afraid of being harassed by police or having an undocumented family member arrested. Many Hispanics, even those in the country legally, stay home as much as possible because driving increases the risk of being stopped by police, he said.

[moonshinner_09]

. "We don't necessarily feel like it is our responsibility to become enforcers of immigration law,It is your responsibility to tell the same people they cannot use document fraud, they cannot lie on I-9 tax forms, they cannot be out on the roads driving without licenses and insurance.All this church cares about is filling the pews. If they do not want to teach morals, why do they bother being even be a church ?

[ROTB]

There are articles out there about the unemployment rate in Alabama PLUMMETING. Those are much more effective.

Thanks for posting.

[exDemMom]

"A lot of people left," Carlos Gomez said of the Hispanic congregation he leads at First Baptist Church in Center Point. "I called them back and some of them returned. But I know of another ministry that is close to me here in town that had around 120, and now it has about 40."

That's a HUGE drop. I didn't realize there were so many illegals in Alabama.

Among its provisions is a requirement that police, when making routine stops, investigate the legal status of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

Because the police otherwise NEVER check the credentials of anyone they pull over?

This reminds me of some of the insane arguments made against Prop 187, the anti-illegal immigrant bill that was overwhelmingly passed by California voters, and prevented from enforcement by the courts. Prop 187 would have made it mandatory to refuse to allow illegal aliens to register for school. The argument was that it wasn't the schools' job to check immigration status, and would place an undue burden on schools--at the same time schools routinely required proof of vaccinations, copies of birth certificates, and proof of residency in their district before a child could enroll.

[Williams]

If here illegally, get out.

[Beowulf9]

wonder where they went? Any stats on that?

[marron]

The church ministers to people in the condition they are in as they find them.

This is a problem and an opportunity. People who are being forced to leave will need help, and the church can step up and help these people get reestablished back home. And ministering to people who are going back home may in turn open other doors for ministry that are initially unexpected.

[garybob]

Carlos Lemus, Hispanic missionary for Autauga and Chilton Baptist associations, said there have been no major problems among the Hispanic ministries in his area. But he changed the times of some Bible studies because he said police in certain regions tend to establish checkpoints after dark for a variety of possible offenses, including the immigration status of those who pass through.

These are sobriety checkpoints. Before the law was passed, illegals who were sober got a pass...now they have problems.

"Some of them are Americans, of course, but they are afraid that with this situation, they could be arrested."

Like Alabama law enforcement has nothing better to do than to arrest people for DWH (Driving While Hispanic). Only the race baiters and the race hustlers in Alabama try to play that card. Everyone else has moved into the 21st Century.

As an added plus, places that used to hire illegals have cleaned up their act and their staffs look like a cross section of America, not Tijuana.

[zerosix]

Sorry Pastor Gomez, if you are a Baptist Pastor (which the story claims and I don't doubt) this is a MORAL problem that you and evidently other "Hispanic" Pastors refuse to confront. You need to go back and read your bible, your pastoral responsibilities to your flock - beginning with the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not steal", and "Thou shalt not bear false witness," this covers lying, stealing and cheating others knowingly.

Even the Lord's own words, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," obey the laws of the U.S.

Actually those believers in this country breaking our laws need to repent, ask for forgiveness and begin again, in their own country.

Finally, as a Baptist, I tend to think that your "concern" is less for the plight of your flock mostly made up of illegal aliens than you are in your weekly donations from these people (just as other pastors, priests, etc. as well as our own schools, hospitals, food stamp and other U.S. governmental agencies!)

[FlingWingFlyer]

Is this really a “new immigration law” or a new ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION law?

[TheOldLady]

He didn't donate
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