Obama rallies Hispanic Christians on immigration

WASHINGTON (RNS) President Obama assured Hispanic Christians on Thursday
(May 12) that he hears their pleas for immigration reform, calling it a
"moral imperative" that requires action from the pews and the White
House.

"What I can do is sign a law," he told more than 600 people gathered
here for the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. "What you can do is
champion a law. What we can do together is make comprehensive
immigration reform the law of the land."

Obama, who gave a more detailed speech in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday
about an immigration overhaul, told Hispanic evangelicals that
immigration reform must be seen as a moral concern, as well as an
economic and security imperative.

"It's a moral imperative when kids are being denied the chance to go
to college or serve their military because of the actions of their
parents," he said. "It's a moral imperative when simply enforcing the
law may mean inflicting pain on families who are just trying to do the
right thing by their children."

In recent weeks, Obama has increased calls for immigration reform,
meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and unveiling a 29-page
blueprint for "Building a 21st Century Immigration System."

The Rev. Luis Cortes Jr., founder and president of
Philadelphia-based Esperanza, the host of the biennial breakfast, said
he remains hopeful that Obama may make reform a reality.

"He has set out a challenge, and our hope and desire now is that he
will be successful and that we will be able to help him be successful,"
Cortes said.

He said his organization, frustrated with the inability of
Republicans and Democrats to reach consensus, has launched a campaign
through Hispanic churches to encourage members to contact Congress to
push for legislation.

Another Hispanic leader, who thought Obama's breakfast speech was
short on specifics, tied the president's success on reform to his
political fortunes in the 2012 election.

Citing the millions of Hispanic Christians in the U.S., Pastor Adan
Guerrero of McAllen, Texas, said: "We have power."

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., also urged breakfast attendees to help
get a bipartisan bill passed: "I need you to give the most fervent
sermons you have ever given on this issue," he said.

On separate tracks, the Obama administration and Esperanza are
working to broaden support for comprehensive immigration reform by
emphasizing the range of Americans who can be mobilized as supporters.

In his El Paso speech, Obama spoke of a "growing coalition of
leaders" who may not agree on some issues but have come together on
immigration. He said evangelical leaders such as National Association of
Evangelicals President Leith Anderson and Illinois megachurch pastor
Bill Hybels are among those who have formed a "consensus around fixing
what's broken." On Thursday, he cited Catholic, evangelical and
interfaith campaigns.

"At critical junctures throughout our history, it's often been men
and women of faith who've helped to move this country forward," Obama
said.

Esperanza, which spearheaded Capitol Hill lobbying visits by
Hispanic evangelicals on Wednesday, held a news conference Tuesday with
African-American and Caribbean clergy, and Cortes met with white
evangelical leaders in April.

"We want to make sure that issues of faith solidarity go beyond
racial lines," said Cortes. "This is a civil rights issue."