Some state and religious leaders, and immigrant advocates are supporting the Access to Religious Ministry Act. This proposal would require that immigrant detainees in county jails get the same amount of time with religious workers as other inmates. Currently, detainees only get 55 minutes of visitation every two weeks.
"One thing that sustains the detainees is their faith, but also that there is not a consistent access to religious workers who can talk with, pray with, and bring sacraments to those who are incarcerated," said Sister JoAnn Persch, Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants.
The bill is not expected for consideration until a couple more weeks.
