(April 30, 2006)--A Southern Baptist leader says Christians approach the immigration issue as citizens of both the United States and the kingdom of heaven.

Rev. Richard Land, who heads the denomination's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, says Christians expect the U.S. border to be secured and immigration laws to be enforced.

But he says they also believe that Christian charity must be extended to anyone in need.

Land supports giving illegal immigrants six months to apply for "guest worker" status, undergo a criminal background check, agree to learn English and pay a fine plus back taxes.

He says those who don't should be deported, but those who do should be welcomed into American churches and helped on their road to citizenship.

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