House Bill Cracks Down Even Harder on Illegal Immigration

A bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives might make it illegal for churches to help undocumented immigrants. Two Austin-area representatives, Michael McCaul and Lamar Smith, cosponsored the bill.

The bill, called the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, would block employers from hiring illegal immigrants, increase surveillance along the border and increase penalties for alien smuggling.

The bill also mentions criminal penalties for anyone who "harbors, conceals, or shields from detection" an undocumented immigrant. This would make it a crime for family members, churches and charities to help illegal immigrants.

According to a report on KVUE.com , immigration experts have warned the Ascension Lutheran church that even lending a wheelchair could be a violation.

The pastors at the church have their concerns about the bill because it would mean they would have to break the law in order to continue with their charity work.

"It makes us as people as faith really think very long and hard about how we are called to welcome a stranger," said Rev. Brian Peterson.

However, it's going to take more than a bill to stop some from helping, maybe an act of...nevermind.

"My first thought was well if this were to become law, you know, they might as well come and lock us up and bring the force of the legal system to bear on us because we will continue to do this," Peterson said.