Representative Wants Repeal Of New Law Exempting Churches Using Illegal Aliens As Volunteers

The Denver Post reports today that Section 790 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, signed by the President last week, exempts religious groups from prosecution if they use illegal immigrants as volunteer ministers or missionaries. Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, added the language to the bill at the request of the Mormon Church. Now Colorado Representative Tom Tancredo says he will work to repeal the provision. He argues: "This provision opens a hole in our immigration system so big, a terrorist could drive a truck bomb through it. Terrorists in the United States have used religious organizations as fronts before. This provides legal cover for any church, synagogue, mosque or group that calls itself a religion to aid and abet illegals who may pose a national security threat." Bennett however said that the Department of Homeland Security had no problem with the statutory provision.