Fla. religious leaders rally for immigrants

[steve2470]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/17/2119155/fla-religious-leaders-rally-for.html

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida religious leaders are holding a prayer service to denounce bills recently introduced in the Legislature they fear will hurt immigrants, particularly those in the country illegally.

Thursday's interfaith prayer service at the First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee targets bills moving in the Florida House and Senate.

The religious leaders dislike proposals that would require law enforcement to enquire about individuals' immigration status during an arrest. They say in domestic abuse cases all those involved are frequently arrested initially, so the bill would discourage victims in the country illegally from talking with authorities.

They also oppose a proposal to require all employers to use the federal government's system to electronically check whether someone is eligible to work. They say the system makes too many mistakes and could hurt legal immigrants.