In regard to the response you published on my Second Opinion article of Aug. 9 [“What should lawmakers do?”], I just want to make two points of clarification for your readers:
First, the Latino Network of Virginia Baptists is not mine. It is true I am the convener, but I was elected by its constituents. The Latino Network of Virginia Baptists is a coalition of five Baptist organizations in Virginia: Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the John Leland Center for Theological Studies and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.
Essentially, the Latino Network is a BGAV entity, and belongs to the Baptists of Virginia. The Latino Network has never discussed and does not have a policy on immigration. The articles I write, I write under my own name and bear my own mind. The opinions I express are not those of either the John Leland Center — where I teach — or the Latino Network — where I serve as convener.
Second, I did not mean to be critical of the lawmakers in my article, but encouraging. I do not want to criticize lawmakers, but encourage them to action. Let's do something about immigration reform! Please!
Perhaps some Herald readers will agree with me that the immigration system of the U.S., as it is, is broken. Perhaps some will also agree that immigration reform is needed. Perhaps some will not agree with me on the specifics of what that immigration reform might encompass. However, I think all of us agree that more public discussion of these issues is needed. That is the main interest of my articles, and this is why I welcome any discussion of these issues.
Just for information purposes, I want to point out some web pages of nonpartisan organizations (some of them Christian) that Herald readers might want to consult to form an opinion for themselves.
They are:
• The American Immigration Law Foundation (http://www. ailf.org/)
• The American Immigration Lawyers Association (http://www. aila.org/, click on the document “Making the Case for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Resource Guide)
• The Migration Policy Institute (http://www.migrationpolicy. org/, click on U.S. Immigration and view the document “Immigration and America's Future”)
• The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (http://www.icirr.org/, click on Resources)
• Sojourners (http://www. sojo.net/, click on “Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform”)
• World Relief (http:// www.wr.org/whatwedo/ immigrantservices.asp).
The best thing all of us could do in the immigration debate is to be well informed and continue to pray for God's wisdom.
Daniel Carro is coordinator of the Latino Network of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and professor of divinity at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Falls Church.