SCOTT DOUGLAS

Alabama passed a set of laws making it a crime to assist undocumented immigrants in any way. However, many of the religions in Alabama required providing sanctuary. It would not be Christian to provide food for poor documented immigrants and their children but not provide food for poor illegal immigrants and especially their innocent children. Many of the religious groups in Alabama filed a lawsuit to declare the Alabama state laws unconstitutional. The Federal Courts did do but the basis of their ruling was the state was encroaching on a Federal function—control of immigration. The court did not have to rule on the thorny issue of interference with religion so the point has not yet been settled.

Alabama passed a set of laws making it a crime to assist undocumented immigrants in any way. However, many of the religions in Alabama required providing sanctuary. It would not be Christian to provide food for poor documented immigrants and their children but not provide food for poor illegal immigrants and especially their innocent children. Many of the religious groups in Alabama filed a lawsuit to declare the Alabama state laws unconstitutional. The Federal Courts did do but the basis of their ruling was the state was encroaching on a Federal function—control of immigration. The court did not have to rule on the thorny issue of interference with religion so the point has not yet been settled.