UNJUST

AL Bishops Sue Over Immigration Law

Say it violates right to free exercise of religion.

Three bishops are suing over Alabama’s controversial new immigration law. The law, which Gov. Robert Bentley signed in June, makes it illegal to transport, harbor, or rent property to all who are known to be in the country illegally. The bishops say the law makes it "a crime to follow God’s command to be Good Samaritans.” Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile says, “The law attacks our core understanding of what it means to be a church.” However, some say the bishops are exaggerating. State Sen. Bryan Taylor says, “It’s not as explicit as the churches would obviously like. But I do not think that any church or any clergyman is subject to prosecution for doing their Christian mission.”