HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- In a full-page ad in today’s, April 26, 2012, Montgomery Advertiser, more than 200 faith leaders from across Alabama urged legislators to repeal HB 56 and not to support HB 658, both measures addressing illegal immigration.

Mine is not the sort of faith that credits divine providence for the goings-on in the world. But even I can’t avoid the striking coincidence that the Supreme Court this week takes up a watershed civil rights case, “Arizona v. United States,” so soon after many Christians recall “the road to Emmaus” as part of Easter.

A coalition of groups from the religious left held a prayer vigil and "Jericho march" at the Supreme Court this week. The court was hearing arguments in a case on the constitutionality of an Arizona immigration law.

Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a case about the constitutionality of Arizona's anti-immigrant legislation, SB 1070. It will be months before the case is decided but a broad spectrum of the Christian community already has their minds made up. 

This legislation is not just ethically bankrupt but undermines basic Christian values and American ideals. The court will decide whether it is legal, but it is already clear it isn't moral.  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Ahead of Easter and Passover, faith leaders across Alabama have asked state lawmakers to hear "the cries of their people", reflect and revise what they deem the toughest-in-the-nation immigration law.

A coalition called Faith Leaders for a Welcoming Alabama on Tuesday announced it would air a television commercial claiming the law has hurt the state's economy, bred a climate of fear and divided families.

The ad urges Alabamians to contact their local legislators and ask them to fix the law.

CHICAGO (ELCA) - Some congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have growing concerns about the presence of U.S. immigration officials outside churches before and after services, making many parishioners afraid to attend worship for fear that they will be detained or separated from their families.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Several religious leaders united Thursday in declaring their opposition to an immigration enforcement bill under consideration by the Mississippi Legislature.

As the Supreme Court prepares to take up legal challenges to Arizona’s controversial immigration law (SB-1070), more than 50 prominent Catholic, Protestant and Jewish groups signed on to an amicus curiae brief arguing for suspension of the law.

A New Jersey church gave sanctuary Wednesday to a second Indonesian immigrant facing deportation — and the pastor said more are welcome.

“We’re going to just keep making space,” said Pastor Seth Kaper-Dale of the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

Rovani Wangkoa, 45, is supposed to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be sent back to the homeland he fled in 1995 because of religious persecution.