Florida Pastors Worry Immigration Bill Would Criminalize Church Rides
David Roach of Christianity Today reports, “Churches may face criminal penalties for giving undocumented immigrants rides to worship services and Bible studies if a bill before the Florida state legislature becomes law. A diverse coalition of church leaders in the Sunshine State is calling the bill a threat to religious freedom.” The bill would prevent the transport of illegal immigrants regardless of the reason for doing so, a measure that religious leaders say would be particularly harmful to bus ministries. The bill differs from federal immigration legislation that only prevents the transport of illegal immigrants if it is in furtherance of violating existing immigration law. Myal Green, the president and CEO of World Relief, said, “It’s heartbreaking that this assault to religious liberty has been proposed.”