There are many reasons to support comprehensive immigration reform. As Christians, we point to the Biblical call to welcome the stranger and love our neighbors as top reasons for our support. We refer to the God-given dignity of each person, acknowledging that God created and loves each person, regardless of their immigration status.

Today, both progressive and conservative leaders from the business, law enforcement, and faith communities came together in Washington, D.C., during the two-day National Strategy Session to launch a new consensus around immigration reform.

Leaders launched the event with a press conference highlighting our broken immigration system — which affects all sectors of society — and urged immigration reform in 2013 that includes legalization and path towards citizenship.

Editor's Note: The following is a statement by Jim Wallis given at the kickoff of the National Strategy Session — a gathering faith, law enforcement, and business leaders who are reaching consensus on common-sense immigration reform. Throughout the week, the group is calling on Congress to create a road to citizenship for immigrants contributing to our society. You can follow a live stream of the press conference and strategy sessionsHERE.

That immigration reform will be a priority for Congress this year has quickly cemented as the conventional wisdom, but political leaders are beginning to divide on the best way to achieve reform.

Officials in the state of Georgia have 90 days to decide whether or not to appeal a recent court decision that struck down a key part of their anti-immigrant law, which provides penalties to those who knowingly transport or harbor undocumented immigrants while committing other crimes. 

Officials in the state of Georgia have 90 days to decide whether or not to appeal a recent court decision that struck down a key part of their anti-immigrant law, which provides penalties to those who knowingly transport or harbor undocumented immigrants while committing other crimes. 

The Angels of Advent are saying, "Do not be afraid" -- we bring good news of immigration reform.

And what does fear do to us?

We disregard the good news at our doorstep, the opportunity to live with Jesus among us, and keep on building walls at our threshold. Perhaps that's why the angels of the Bible repeat this admonishment -- Do Not Be Afraid -- over and over again, for fear inhibits our ability to see and hear a new vision.

As President Barack Obama prepares for a second term, immigration reform is rumored to be at the top of his agenda. With conservative opinion on the issue shifting, a unique opportunity exists to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. Americans are eager to see the president and Congress make progress on this unnecessarily vexing issue.

As it becomes increasingly clear that immigration reform will be on the political agenda this coming year, we are reminded that the words we use to discuss immigration matter. After all, they reflect our opinions and viewpoints, and they influence the way we view the world.