“It’s past time for us as a nation to deal with this vexing and divisive issue,” Land told Baptist Press Nov. 14. “The foundation and structure for fair, just and comprehensive reform legislation is there and needs to be embraced by both parties for the good of the country.”

Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land and other evangelical Christian leaders have called on President Obama and congressional leaders to act quickly next year in an effort to reform the country’s immigration laws.

Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, joined nine other leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) in asking Obama and the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday (Nov. 13) to meet with them in early 2013 to discuss a bipartisan solution to the controversial issue.

“It’s past time for us as a nation to deal with this vexing and divisive issue,” Land told Baptist Press Nov. 14. “The foundation and structure for fair, just and comprehensive reform legislation is there and needs to be embraced by both parties for the good of the country.”

The EIT leaders asked the president to meet with some of their representatives during the first 92 days of his new administration. They asked for a meeting with congressional leaders in the first 92 days of the next session. They chose 92 days because the Hebrew word for immigrant, “ger,” appears 92 times in the Bible, they said.

They are prepared to back a proposal “that reflects our Christian values and builds the common good,” the leaders said.

In their letters, the EIT leaders reiterated their call for legislation that:
— “Respects the God-given dignity of every person;
— “Protects the unity of the immediate family;
— “Respects the rule of law;
— “Guarantees secure national borders;
— “Ensures fairness to taxpayers;
— “Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.”

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The source for this document was originally published on bpnews.net—however, the original URL is no longer available.]