To the Honorable Janet Napolitano, Governor, Senate President Tim Bee,…

To the Honorable Janet Napolitano, Governor, Senate President Tim Bee, House
Speaker James Weiers and the Arizona State Legislature:

As pastoral leaders in Arizona, we express to you our deep concern over the broken
immigration system facing our state and our nation. Because of Congress's failure to
pass immigration reform last year, we have seen this debate spill over into our state and
public servants have been forced to respond to community concerns over immigration.

Unfortunately, a number of local and state officials have responded by engaging in a
public conversation that is dividing our community, confusing enforcement procedures
and creating an unwelcoming spirit for many seeking to make Arizona their home. The
debate continues to focus on broad fears and assumptions concerning the complex issue
of immigration and is made even more complex by less tangible aspects such as racial
differences, community identity, and unrealistic assumptions pertaining to the reach of
current immigration laws.

As followers of Christ we find in scripture overarching values that guide and direct the
way we form our communities and live within our society. Among the most important of
Jesus' teachings was: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is
like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments."

Based on our belief in these commandments, we call upon our public servants to work
constructively to address the challenges and complexities of immigration. We urge our
elected officials to find new, creative ways to answer public concern with legislation that
supports the moral fabric of our community, seeking to uphold the dignity and rights of
all people while finding proactive solutions to local problems. In seeking such solutions,
we willingly offer our time, energy, and ideas, so that the current discussion might move
toward greater understanding and respect within our community.

We invite our local officials to work collaboratively with the community to embrace our
state's diversity, maintain an equitable rule of law, and provide tangible solutions to local
issues so that our shared sense of community might be restored. We also urge our
national representatives to re-engage the immigration reform debate in a civil and
respectful manner. We must restore the rule of law in this country, but we must also look
with compassion upon the immigrants who are here, working in our restaurants, fixing
our homes and caring for our children. In Arizona, we recognize the critical need for a
national solution that will unite broken families, invigorate our economy and effectively
enforce our borders. We look forward to working together to find common ground on
this critical issue.

Sincerely,
Rev. Kevin Anderson, Pastor, OnePlace Church; Phoenix

Ian Danley, Youth Pastor, Neighborhood Ministries; Phoenix

Kit Danley, President, Neighborhood Ministries; Phoenix

Dr. Darryl DelHousaye, President, Phoenix Seminary

Rev. Rick Efird, Lead Pastor, Desert Springs Bible Church; Phoenix

Orbi Gonzalez, Associate Regional Director for the Southwest, Young Life; Mesa

Rev. William E. Good, Interim Associate Pastor, Mountain View Presbyterian Church;
Scottsdale

Rev. Jim Graham, Senior Pastor, Valley View Bible Church; Paradise Valley

Rev. Bill Hamilton, Minister; Phoenix, AZ

Rev. Arnold L. Jackson, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, Tanner
Community Development Corporation; Phoenix

Dr. Tim Kimmel, President, Family Matters; Phoenix

Dr. Gary Kinnaman, Pastor at Large, Word of Grace Church; Mesa

Rev. Michael Ledner, Senior Pastor, Desert Streams Chapel; Scotsdale

Rev. Jorge Macias, Senior Pastor, Neighborhood Ministries; Phoenix

Rev. Sandy Mason, Senior Pastor, Desert View Bible Church; Phoenix

Rev. Gary Nelson, Senior Pastor, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Scottsdale

Rev. Tom Parker, Director, Fuller Theological Seminary - Southwest Campus; Phoenix

Rev. Vermon Pierre, Lead Pastor, Roosevelt Community Church; Phoenix

Rev. Mark Roberts, Pastor, OnePlace Church; Phoenix

Rev. Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr., Senior Minister, Tanner Chapel African Methodist
Episcopal Church; Phoenix

Rev. William Thrall, Senior Pastor, Neighborhood Ministries; Phoenix