MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A national coalition of evangelicals who support a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who entered the country illegally is airing radio ads in the Birmingham-area district of Rep. Spencer Bachus as part of a national campaign in 14 states.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports that leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table are spending $400,000 on radio ads on Christian and talk radio stations in 56 congressional districts to support legislation that backers say would provide more border security and offer a route to citizenship for those who entered the U.S. illegally.
"They will return to Washington knowing they have support at home for taking action on reform," said Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research with the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
The group selected districts represented by lawmakers whose committees could shape the immigration debate or in areas where there is a large evangelical presence. Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, sits on the House Judiciary Committee, where GOP lawmakers are drafting immigration legislation.
Bachus did not favor a tough law in Alabama targeting people who broke immigration laws. The lawmaker has said he supports a route to citizenship for those who earn it.
"I don't think we ought to have two classes of long-term residents," Bachus said recently.
Bachus spokesman Tim Johnson said the lawmaker "welcomes the expression of all views."
Besides Alabama, the ads are also running in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. The radio spots are competing with advertisements funding by rival organizations that encourage House members to adopt a plan that would not offer a route to citizenship.