Many religious faiths are represented by the members of the Auburn Ministerial Association, but the group has banded together and made a step into politics to oppose Alabama's new immigration law.
"The first fundamental problem for us as ministers, people who are trying to promote charity--the bill seems to criminalize, in some situations, trying to welcome a stranger," said Father Bill Skoneki, priest at St. Michael's Catholic Church.
The law has been said by citizens to be the harshest anti-immigration law ever passed.
The new law would allow police to request the naturalization papers of anyone they pulled over if they exhibited any factors that could indicate illegal status.
"How does one decide there's a reasonable suspicion that someone is illegal," Skoneki asked. "It does seem to be another test that really is going to come down to accent or color."
The law would also make it illegal for people to perform any type of charitable acts for an illegal immigrant, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
This is one characteristic of the law that caused the Auburn Ministerial Association to became involved.
"It does appear, if you read the law, that we could be subject to fines and other penalties if we give aid to someone in need if they happen to be an illegal alien," Skoneki said. "And none of us right now ask to see people's green cards or passports before we give them food, clothing, shelter or assistance."
Reverend Diana Jordan Allende, the minister at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship said she thinks the implications of the law haven't been fully thought through by the general public.
Allede said even simple acts of charity may become misdemeanors for citizens if they don't make sure the person they are helping has immigrated to the United States through official means.
"I don't know if you could imagine somebody needing a ride to church and having to say, 'well you speak with a Spanish accent. Can you show me your documents?'" Allende said.
Allende said she thinks this might lead to an undesirable 'us vs. them' mentality, and the law would have a negative effect, not only on the immigrant population, but on entire communities as well.
"It seems to outlaw, or make illegal, just simple acts of charity and neighborliness, so we feel that it's bad for the immigrant community, but it's bad for us as a community of people who want to live together and work together as well," Allende said.
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, a proponent of the immigration law, said he thinks the facts have been skewed by those who oppose the law in order to generate fear and anger.
Hubbard said he thinks the law will prevent people who are living here illegally from receiving public benefits.
He said it may also stop employers from hiring illegal workers.
"In Alabama, we believe in obedience to law because it promotes fairness and protects the rights of everybody," Hubbard said.
Skoneki said the Auburn Ministerial Association has reached out to Hubbard and hopes a meeting with the representative will give him a chance to explain his point of view and hear the association's concerns.
"I think there is a good cause: that people believe in the rule of law and that they perceive that the federal government is not doing enough to enforce the laws in regards to immigration, but that this is the wrong approach to go about it," Skoneki said.
Allende said she also opposes the new policy because she doesn't want her state, Alabama, to once again pave the way for harsher, more inhumane ways of doing things.
"The things that we are leading in are not progressive, are not humane, are not things that are making our state a better state," Allende said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
