Mo. faith leaders protest bill targeting immigrants

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Leaders from 50 churches on both sides of Missouri are calling for state lawmakers to stop considering a bill targeting immigrants.

Senate bill 580 would give police officers the right to check immigration status, if officers feel there is probable cause.

The immigrant could be cited with a misdemeanor if they don't have identification.

Church leaders say the bill will do more harm than good.

Dr. Rev. Ron Faust, of Disciples of Christ said “it promotes fear and paranoia and (I could be) perceived as a criminal if I helped someone who was undocumented.”

Another part of the bill would require schools to report the status of suspected illegal students.

Church leaders say the ending result would hurt all families.