S. Baptist policy on migrants

NASHVILLE - The Southern Baptist Convention approved a new resolution at its meeting in Arizona this week advocating a path to legal status for illegal immigrants, in a move that policy leader Richard Land described as "a really classic illustration of gospel love and gospel witness."

The resolution passed Wednesday also calls on Southern Baptists to minister to all people and to reject bigotry and harassment toward all people, regardless of their country of origin or immigration status.

"I think Southern Baptists understand it's just not politically viable to send an estimated 12 to 15 million undocumented immigrants back where they came from," said the Rev. Paul Jimenez, pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., and chairman of the SBC's resolutions committee. "It's not humane either."

A motion to strike the reference to a path to legal status was narrowly defeated by a vote of 766-723, according to the SBC's Baptist Press.

When the resolution was amended to say that it was "not to be construed as support for amnesty for any undocumented immigrant," it passed by a wide margin with a show of raised ballots.

The resolution calls for "appropriate restitutionary measures" from any immigrants seeking legal status. It also calls on the government to prioritize border security and hold businesses accountable for hiring.

All Southern Baptist churches are independent, so the resolution is not binding on them.