Carrying satchels filled with 10,000 postcards from supporters of comprehensive immigration reform, Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis and an ecumenical contingent of religious leaders traveled to Washington D.C. May 17 to lobby for just and humane immigration legislation.

Bishop Solis and several archdiocesan priests were among 20 local religious leaders, including Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Muslim and Jewish representatives, who participated in a National Lobby Day along with members of the "We Are America" coalition. The postcards they carried represented a fraction of the 152,000 from the L.A. Archdiocese expected to land in Congressional leaders' offices this week.

Group delegates spent the day meeting with congressional leaders, urging them to include in their legislative proposal a path to legalization for the undocumented, a guest worker program, a family reunification plan and respect for civil liberties.

"It was a strong representation from various faith groups, Christian based organizations and labor groups," said Bishop Solis. "Diverse members of the coalition shared a common concern that comprehensive immigration reform be tempered with justice and a spirit of compassion and charity."

Coalition representatives began their day by attending a constituency breakfast held by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). Following the breakfast, coalition members lobbied in various congressional offices as the Senate debated amendments to their current immigration reform bill. Postcards that had been signed the previous weekend in Los Angeles archdiocesan parishes were delivered to the Majority and Minority leaders of the Senate, Senators Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) and Harry Reid (D-Nevada).

Senator Frist, a supporter of enforcement-only immigrant reform legislation, declined to meet with coalition members who left postcards in his office. Amnesty opponent Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) did meet with a coalition delegation that included Bishop Solis.

According to the bishop, Santorum told coalition members he couldn't support a path to citizenship for immigrants who had illegally entered the country. Santorum also mentioned his concern about U.S. "balkanization" if large numbers of non-English speaking immigrants were legalized.

At the end of their meeting, Bishop Solis led Santorum and coalition delegates in a short prayer asking "for inspiration of the Holy Spirit, divine guidance and a spirit of compassion."

Other local participants in the trip to Washington included Father Mike Gutierrez, pastor of St. Anne Church in Santa Monica, and Jesuit Father Sean Carroll of Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights.

"The group felt encouragement and hope as they made the case for just and humane immigration reform in the nation's Capitol," the two priests said in a recent statement. "While a July 1 mobilization quickly approaches, the Catholic community is urged to educate itself on just and humane immigration reform, to help register new voters, and to assist those who are currently eligible to become United States citizens. In all these efforts, may all come to know and to be guided by what was stated so powerfully at the May 1 afternoon march, that 'in the eyes of God no one is illegal.'"

As he helped sort and box more than 120,000 post cards headed for the offices of congressional leaders May 19, Bishop Solis told The Tidings he was optimistic about the coalition's impact in Washington. "We made them understand we represent a strong voting constituency.

However, he also voiced concern about the militarization of U.S. borders and the reunification of immigrant families with undocumented members who must return to their country of origin. "What kind of assurances do people have if they leave?" wondered Bishop Solis.

"We need to do a lot of praying, work and action to convince legislators to promote comprehensive immigration reform," he said. "It's a beautiful thing to see the church on top of issues that pertain to the dignity of every human person."

Radio DJ participates

In addition to the religious leaders, Bishop Solis was joined in Washington by radio personality Renan "El Cucuy" Almendarez Coello. Like Bishop Solis, Almendarez was trying his hand at lobbying for the first time, stepping far outside his usual role as a DJ to be part of a 400-member ad hoc team made up of people from across the country that swept through congressional offices. Busloads of one-day lobbyists also came from Chicago, others commuted in from nearby Maryland and Virginia or flew in from a dozen other states.

"I think I'm getting the feel of it," said Bishop Solis whose group also made its pitch to a legislative staffer for Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) and to staff members for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

"It's very exciting and challenging," Bishop Solis told Catholic News Service, adding the arguments he was making come easily to him. "Historically, the church has been at the forefront of the fight for rights for God's people. It's always about upholding the dignity of human life."

If Almendarez also was working outside his normal venue, he was as equally confident of his purpose as Bishop Solis.

Along with DJs from competing Spanish-language stations in the Los Angeles market who joined forces for the campaign, he had been instrumental in rallying hundreds of thousands of people for marches and vigils in Los Angeles this spring. He told CNS his motivation comes from a firm belief in the importance of the campaign to help families be reunited.

Almendarez's top-rated morning radio show gives him the freedom to support causes important to him, he said, and includes the freedom to work with his competitors or to invite people such as Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony onto his show to encourage people to join pro-immigrant events.

He said he recognizes the unusual position he's in. "In general, the media's role is to announce the news," he said. "I do that, too. But I also get to participate in the news when it's important."

CNS' Patricia Zapor contributed to this story.