My mom sent me an article about a conference held in Los Angeles on the Biblical mandate of hospitality toward immigrants. I like the points that are listed as needed for comprehensive immigration reform.

• A path to citizenship - an earned legalization program that is workable and achievable;
• Firm, fair enforcement of the law that is consistent with humanitarian values and treats all people with dignity and respect;
• Restoration of due process protections for immigrants removed by the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act;
• Family-based immigration reform that reduces waiting times for family reunification;
• A plan for the future flow of migrants that includes workplace protections and examines the root causes of migration.

Working on a daily basis with artisans around the world keeps my mind on a lot of these issues. It's good to have these benchmarks in mind when listening and reading and talking about how immigration is currently being dealt with in this country.