Evangelical Group for Immigration Reform

Evangelical Christian coalition Focus on the Family has embraced immigration—and is encouraging its supporters to do the same. The group—which backed Rick Santorum and then Mitt Romney for president—is airing radio ads on Christian stations in Florida and Colorado that advocate immigration reform, imploring its followers to welcome foreigners who want to become citizens. Focus on the Family is taking on the same message as many conservative evangelicals such as the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals. "I think it's really going to give some new energy to the movement," an NAE spokesman said of the new Focus on the Family ads. "Our focus is not just addressing ourselves to politicians but to our own communities and encouraging all evangelicals to take a serious look at the issue from a biblical and pastoral and human perspective."