HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey pastor whose church is giving sanctuary to nine Indonesians facing deportation says they feel "stabbed in the back by President Obama."
The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl) of the Reformed Church of Highland Park says the Indonesians are Christians who fled persecution in the world's most populous Muslim country, but have long overstayed their tourist visas in the U.S.
Kaper-Dale says he encouraged the Indonesian immigrants to come forward in 2009, believing they could be granted asylum. Instead, he says they've been targeted for deportations that would separate men from their wives and American-born children.
The pastor says that's "cruel," and that giving them refuge in his church reflects Christian obedience to "a higher law."
Legislation introduced in the U.S. House and Senate would allow the Indonesians to reopen their bids for asylum.
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%@AP Links
261-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, N.J.)--A New Jersey pastor whose church is giving sanctuary to nine Indonesians facing deportation says they feel betrayed by President Barack Obama. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *261 (06/26/12)>> 00:33
263-a-08-(The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl), pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, in AP interview)-"find it cruel"-The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, says his church is giving sanctuary to nine Indonesian Christians who have been targeted for deportation. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *263 (06/26/12)>> 00:08 "find it cruel"
265-a-07-(The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl), pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, in AP interview)-"that happen again"-The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, says the Indonesian Christians should be granted asylum. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *265 (06/26/12)>> 00:07 "that happen again"
264-a-06-(The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl), pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, in AP interview)-"us on immigration"-The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, says he believed the Obama administration might offer asylum to Indonesian Christians who fled persecution. ((cut used in wrap)) (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *264 (06/26/12)>> 00:06 "us on immigration"
262-a-17-(The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl), pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, in AP interview)-"of being deported"-The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, says he encouraged Indonesian Christian refugees to seek legal status. ((note length of cut)) (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *262 (06/26/12)>> 00:17 "of being deported"
266-a-16-(The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale (KAH'-pur-dayl), pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, in AP interview)-"a higher law"-The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, says the deportation would separate Indonesian men from their wives and American-born children. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *266 (06/26/12)>> 00:16 "a higher law"
