Mormons and Immigration

The twelfth article of faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states,

“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

There are those who feel that illegal immigrants to the United States of America should be able to break those laws which they deem unfair. [1] The statement of the leadership of the LDS Church on this issue follows:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the complexities facing elected officials as they grapple with the implications of immigration law, such as employment, security and budgetary considerations. The Church has not taken a position on this issue, which is clearly the province of government. However, Church leaders have urged compassion and careful reflection when addressing immigration issues affecting millions of people.

"Elected officials who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions and do not represent the position of the Church regarding immigration legislation. The Church recognizes that these officials make their own choices based on their best judgment and with consideration of the constituencies whom they were elected to represent."

Felonies can be committed by illegal aliens as they try to gain employment in the United States, which may include: 1) fraudulenty gaining a U.S. Social Security number; 2) falsifying I-9 forms under penalty of perjury; 3) identity fraud under state law when the Social Security numbers they are using belong to another person. People whose social security numbers are stolen could have their credit destroyed, could be saddled with arrest records, denied public benefits and may even have their medical records corrupted with life threatening consequences.