Immigration Reform

September 22, 2011

7:00 pm | Williams Hall

The Bible speaks often to the call to welcome strangers in our midst. Jesus speaks about welcoming the stranger, and we all remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. What is our responsibility to welcome today’s strangers: immigrants and refugees? Unfortunately, the Federal Government has long neglected updating our federal immigration policy. While many states have stepped into this vacuum and adopted legislation concerning undocumented workers, some courts have ruled certain aspects of such legislation unconstitutional. There are many myths and half-truths about the economic, political, and social impact of undocumented immigrants on our society. This misinformation, together with a lack of federal leadership and political partisanship, has resulted in a confused and often angry public. What should our position on this issue be as Christians?

You are invited to (ROOM) on Thursday evening, September 22, at 7 p.m. to hear experts who will address the implications of both the federal and Georgia immigration laws, examine the theological basis for action and both review the present position of the church on immigration reform and examine how people of faith might respond to this pressing social issue. Speakers include Dr. Marie Friedmann Marquardt, Scholar-in-Residence at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology; Charles Kuck, a leading immigration attorney in Atlanta; Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials; and Charles Hall, Executive Director of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. The panel will be moderated by Elly Dobbs, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Audience participation is encouraged.