 Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC’s Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, delivers opening prayer outside the U.S. Supreme Court at the Faith Leaders’ Press Conference inaugurating the Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s 48-Hour Prayer Vigil preceding the Court’s hearing of Arizona v. United States
AJC Statement on Supreme Court Hearing Arizona vs. United States
From its founding in 1906, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) has been a strong voice in support of
fair and generous treatment of immigrants, participating actively in many of the major immigration debates of
our time. In advocating for these policies, AJC acts in accord with the American Jewish community’s
longstanding interest in, and commitment to, a United States immigration and refugee policy that represents
our nation’s best traditions. According to Jewish tradition, "strangers" are to be welcomed and valued, as we
were once "strangers in the land of Egypt." The Torah tells us: "The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to
you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of
Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Further, we recall how our parents and grandparents made their way to this
country seeking a better life, often fleeing persecution, and know that we have prospered because of all that
this country has offered us. That same opportunity should be available for others as well.
This week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding the constitutionality of Arizona's
immigration enforcement law S.B.1070. The purpose of S.B.1070, as stated by the Arizona legislature, is to
drive out undocumented immigrants from the state. AJC joined over 100 groups in an amicus curiae brief
submitted to the Court arguing that the law harms both immigrants and citizens and cannot be constitutionally
applied. A total of 22 amicus briefs were submitted, encouraging the Court to uphold the April 2011 ruling
from the Ninth Circuit, which barred certain provisions of S.B.1070 from taking effect. Rabbi Noam Marans,
Director of the Interreligious and Intergroup Relations Department, will speak at an Interfaith Worship Service,
and Melanie Maron Pell, Director of AJC Washington, will speak during the 48-hour prayer vigil. Both events
are coordinated by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition and will be held outside the Supreme Court.
From its inception, AJC has condemned S.B.1070, calling it a setback in national efforts to achieve
immigration reform. Passage of S.B.1070 underscores the need for federal immigration reforms that are
characterized by the rule of law and the humane treatment of immigrants. Of course, one piece of such a
reform includes controlling access to our country; but equally, it must continue our national tradition of
welcoming immigrants and it must provide for a path to citizenship for those already here.
AJC calls for immigration reform because each day in our congregations, service programs, healthcare
facilities, and schools all can witness the human consequences of a broken and outdated system. We see the
exploitation of undocumented workers and the plight of separated families, as well as the escalation of
community fear due to enforcement measures that are neither smart nor humane.
There is no doubt that our nation’s immigration laws must be reformed, but those reforms must come from
Congress, not from states enacting piecemeal immigration enforcement legislation. We urge Congress to
oppose S.B.1070 and all state immigration enforcement legislation, and to pass commonsense federal
immigration reforms that are consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with
respect, while allowing the United States to implement its immigration laws and identify and prevent the entry
of criminals, and of persons who wish to do us harm or otherwise pose a risk to our national security.
To learn more about AJC’s positions on immigration, visit www.ajc.org/immigration or contact Chelsea
Hanson at hansonc@ajc.org.
Join the Jewish Community at the Supreme Court
Tuesday, April 24th, 6:00 - 10:00 PM
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Immigration News
Houston Summit
AJC and Rice University co-sponsored a one-day conference, “The Cost Savings from Implementing Immigration Reform.”
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