“I think it is night and day, particularly among social conservatives,” Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Ralph Reed told Politico of the support for immigration reform. …I don’t think any of them were taken out of context, although Politico is Politico.
High profile leaders are also weighing in. Mathew Staver, vice president of Liberty University, the college started by former TV minister Jerry Falwell, is on board. Focus on the Family, which for years has focused on issues like opposing abortion rights and gay marriage, is supporting immigration reform for the first time in its history—even using its radio broadcast that reaches millions to push its message. “The issues had been so demagogued for the last five or six years, it was hopeless to get seriously into this,” said Tom Minnery of Focus on the Family. “It seems the time is better. The time has changed…That’s why we’ve become more active.” …
“Many of the most hostile critics got beat, a fact not lost on the other House members,” said Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, referring to Republicans who have lost their seats since 2006. …
“We’ve moved beyond the religious leadership in our country on the evangelical side to begin influencing more of the pews,” said Noel Castellanos of CCDA (Christian Community Development Association). “We need to inform them and expose them the way we did with our pastors.” …
I don’t know if that’s support letting them all stay with no consequences or work or support for rules to let those that follow the rules to stay. I think you are right, it’s easy for Politico to do the out of context thing.