Calling reform of the nation's immigration laws “the civil rights test of our generation,” about 150 Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Jewish leaders gathered in San Antonio on Monday to set an agenda for helping their congregations better debate the issue and convince Congress to pass it.
“We cannot wait anymore,” said Archbishop José Gomez. “It's a matter of great importance for our country.”
The daylong summit unfolded a week after President Barack Obama, delaying a campaign promise to pursue comprehensive reform legislation in 2009, announced it would be put off until 2010.
That has spurred some groups to remobilize. On Wednesday, for example, leaders of the U.S. Asian community will announce a “week of action” that will include town hall meetings, press conferences and petition drives.