White House Enlists Clergy To Back DREAM Act

Religion Dispatches reports that the White House yesterday hosted a call for reporters with four members of the clergy who are supporting passage of the DREAM Act.  The Act offers citizenship to young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children who pursue higher education or join the military. Speaking in favor of the bill, Noel Castellanos of the Christian Community Development Association; Rabbi Jack Moline of Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, VA; Pastor Joel Hunter of Northland, A Church Distributed in Longwood, Florida; and Pastor Rich Nathan of Vineyard Columbus in Columbus, Ohio all focused on the religious imperative to welcome the stranger. A version of the DREAM Act passed the House earlier this month (Skokie Patch), but Senate action is now required.