Religious leaders in Ohio and across the country called for common ground and better policy for immigrants coming to the U.S. on Thursday. The panel also included business leaders calling for policy reform in the agriculture sector.
Pastors from Oklahoma and Northern Ohio traveled to Columbus to share in the message.
Pastor Justin Brenenstahl from Grace Baptist Church in Brunswick, shared his efforts sponsoring a refugee family with the United for Ukraine program.
"Real, good channels to bring people into the U.S can happen,” he said. “United for Ukraine is a completely new program, it streamlined everything so people can get here quickly and easily."
Pastor Eric Costanzo from Tulsa Baptist Church, said people should advocate for immigrants entering U.S communities.
"We want equality. We want them to have equal rights as they pursue citizenship. We want them to have equal opportunities and success in our culture," Costanzo said.
The American Businesses Immigration Coalition, a group of 1200 CEOs across the country, also spoke at the forum. The group is pushing for a stalled federal agriculture bill that would change a seasonal work program and increase citizenship for undocumented farm workers.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would create a path for current undocumented farm workers to a temporary work status that can be renewed indefinitely with continued farm work after a background check. Those seeking permanent citizenship would have to pay a $1,000 fine. If the worker has ten years of experience, they must work four more years in agriculture, or eight additional years if they have less than ten years experience in the industry.
James O’Neill is the director of outreach for the coalition.
“There would now be a legal avenue for them to come and find work and build a better life for their families,” O’Neil said.
The legislation would also change the H2A guest worker program and give foreign workers a three-year visa, stabilize wages for nine years and increase housing for farm workers. It would also lower the cost for employers.
The panel was hosted by the National Immigration Forum, an immigration policy advocacy group.
