(HISPANIC TIMES IMMIGRATION) - In Christian belief, the "Rapture" is a reference to the "End of Times" when the Christians of the world will be gathered together in the air to meet their savior. After the gathering, the belief paints a picture of an entire multitude of people simply vanishing.
Many are now comparing the Christian rapture to present day Hispanics leaving the state of Alabama after the courts upheld the parts of an Alabama law that allows the state and local police to ask for immigration papers during routine traffic stops, rendering most contracts with illegal immigrants unenforceable and requiring schools to ascertain the immigration status of children at registration time.
Alabama’s governor proudly calls the law “the strongest immigration law in this country.” It went into effect immediately, although the ruling is being appealed by the Justice Department and a coalition of civil rights groups.
Backers of the law acknowledge that it might be disruptive in the short term, but say it will prove effective over time. Opponents of the law claim that it will destroy local businesses that depend on Hispanic laborers and create fear and distrust in the overall community.
