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Q&A With Jim Wallis, Evangelical Christian Activist and Editor of Sojourners Magazine

Posted October 11, 2010 by Ted Hesson
Categories: Federal Immigration Policy

Jim Wallis—social justice activist, magazine editor, and evangelical Christian—passed through Long Island last week, and I had the chance to sit down with him briefly and talk about the state of the immigration reform movement.

While Wallis is sometimes referred to as a “progressive evangelical,” in conversation, he speaks more about faith and justice than political affiliation. That said, he serves as a spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama, whom he calls “old friend.” And Sojourners, the magazine that he edits, would never be mistaken for a Tea Party newsletter.

I only had a few minutes to speak with Wallis, but here’s what he had to say about the DREAM Act, immigration reform, and President Obama’s leadership on the issue:

The majority of Americans believe that our country needs immigration reform. Why has reform been stalled in Congress?

The politics of Washington defeated justice on immigration reform. You’ve got a lack of courage from both parties; both sides are responsible. I think there really is a majority in the country that would favor a common sense approach to [reform], but politics blocked this.

The DREAM Act has enjoyed bipartisan support in the past. Why didn’t Congress pass the bill last month?

The DREAM Act—who wouldn’t support the rights of a kid who’s successful academically and wants to go to college or join the military, who wants to succeed? And yet it failed. We’re seeing the politics of fear. The politics of fear are now undermining the politics of hope. [The Republicans] are against things they were for at one time, if it’s proposed by a Democrat. And the Democrats aren’t showing courage because of the fear of backlash from their constituency.

How would you rate President Obama’s leadership on the issue of immigration?

I think he hasn’t been strong enough or bold enough. He should have kept his promise to the Hispanic community and put [immigration reform] forward in his first year.

What if the bill had failed?

He still should have put it forward and let people vote the way they vote.

What’s next for the immigration reform movement?

How we act now will determine whether we win down the road. If we withdraw to cynicism and despair, we won’t win. I want to nurture the hope in this movement that if we believe we’re going to win, then justice will be possible.

Tags : dream act, immigration reform, jim wallis, obama, q&a

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