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'A Righteous Victory for Our Nation': Evangelical Leaders React to Trump Immigration Framework

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WASHINGTON – The White House has released a framework for immigration reform, which so far is receiving broad support from many evangelical leaders. 
 
"I strongly urge Congress to not let this historic opportunity slip away, but instead embrace a compromise that history will record as a righteous victory for our nation," Rev. Sammy Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said in a statement. 
 
The framework includes four parts:

  1.  $25 billion for a southern border wall
  2. A path to citizenship for 1.8 million "Dreamers," illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children
  3. A reduction in chain migration
  4. The elimination of the visa lottery system

Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission gave his praise on Twitter. 
 
"Encouraged to see the White House framework for Dreamers. I'm especially glad it outlines a path to citizenship. This is a good starting point for Congress to get to work and pass a permanent solution," he tweeted. 

 

In a statement to CBN News, Rev. Johnnie Moore said he was glad to see the framework appeal to both Republicans and Democrats. 

“It includes points of agreement and disagreement for both parties & therefore represents a helpful baseline for a constructive negotiation," Moore siad. "This is the President acting masterfully as negotiator-in-chief, and we are hopeful that there will be enough Democrats and Republicans in congress willing to act in the best interests of our nation." 

Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, praised the framework's protection for families.  

“There are currently one million children waiting in lines around the world who have waited for years waiting to join their mothers and/or fathers,” said Reed, adding that he encourages Congress to “act quickly to enact the President’s proposal that will strengthen our economy, protect the nuclear family, and provide a safe and secure border.” 

On Twitter Matt Soerens with World Relief said he hopes the framework is a starting point, "not a final blue print," for bipartisan negotiations to give "Dreamers" permanent protection. 

"Personal opinion on limited details of immigration proposal: @realDonaldTrump should be applauded for supporting an earned path to citizenship for Dreamers, including both DACA recipients & those who meet qualifications for DACA but didn't apply. Thank you, Mr. President," Soerens tweeted. "But… Proposed cuts to legal immigration – especially for reunification of immediate family members – are very troubling." 

Tony Suarez of the of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference also praised Trump's move on Twitter: "Thankful for the voice of the @nhclc reminding our elected officials that this doesn’t have to be an “either or” but “both and” decision. Protect dreamers & secure borders."

"If you have been an advocate of immigration reform you ought to be celebrating @POTUS & the framework he has laid out. If Congress passes this it will be the largest immigration deal passed in three decades. President Trump is about to do what 4 other administrations couldn’t do!"

Lawmakers have until Feb. 8 to reach a deal on immigration reform and the budget.

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About The Author

Jenna
Browder

Jenna Browder co-hosts Faith Nation and is a network correspondent for CBN News. She has interviewed many prominent national figures from both sides of the political aisle, including presidents, cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, and other high-ranking officials. Jenna grew up in the small mountain town of Gunnison, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied journalism. Her first TV jobs were at CBS affiliates in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Monroe, Louisiana where she anchored the nightly news. She came to Washington, D.C. in 2016. Getting to cover that year's