A Statement on SB 1070, new legislation in Arizona, from Rev. Geoffrey Black, the UCC's General Minister and President, and Rev. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister, Justice and Witness Ministries 

Be devoted to one another in sisterly and brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Romans 12:10-12 from The Message

We have been following the events unfolding in Arizona with the passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," which addresses the treatment of persons suspected of being in the country without authorization. Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill, but she is not the only person who should be held responsible for it. It was passed by a majority of legislators, even if it was a slim majority.

This bill requires police to check the immigration status of any person they suspect is in the United States illegally. There are many problems with this bill. It dramatically expands police powers to stop, question and detain individuals for not having proper identification. This essentially guarantees racial profiling, criminalizes undocumented people and creates panic and fear among vulnerable communities.

SB 1070 also makes it illegal for anyone, including family, to be in the company of an undocumented person, to hire or solicit work from undocumented, and "transport, harbor or conceal" undocumented migrants. This also could be interpreted to include medical personnel, teachers, ministers, social and humanitarian aid workers.

The immigrant rights struggle is a contemporary civil rights struggle! This law is nothing less than a modern day Jim Crow law of the 19th and 20th centuries. The racial profiling of persons of color that is inherent in this law violates the rights of women, men and children, citizens and non-citizens alike. SB 1070 is no solution to any problem. It only makes matters worse. To remain silent is not an option for us as people of faith and residents of the United States.

There is an urgent need for national comprehensive immigration reform that is realistic, responsible, and fair. Arizona lawmakers are blaming the U.S. Congress for not taking action and have claimed that they had no choice. Arizona leaders cannot use Congressional inaction as an excuse for imposing such an inhumane and immoral law upon the people of Arizona. SB 1070 breaches trust between community and police, creates fear, and potentially erodes the economic fiber of the state.

We encourage meaningful and respectful engagement in the necessary debate on comprehensive immigration reform and we urge our brothers and sisters in the United Christ of Christ and our faith partners to resist hate, and insist that just immigration reform embodies our Christian understanding to love our neighbors. We call upon the President of the United States and members of Congress to enact comprehensive immigration legislation that protects the rights of all who reside in the United States.

This Sunday, May 2, we observe Immigrants Rights Sunday. May God help us do so with dignity and respect.

The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo
Executive Minister
Justice and Witness Ministries