Houston clergy joined dozens of immigration reform supporters Wednesday to call for members of Congress to reject a bill that would permit tougher penalties and enforcement for an illegal presence in the United States.

At a news conference organized by The Metropolitan Organization, leaders also asked those who oppose the SAFE Act to contact their representatives in Congress and ask for comprehensive immigration reform.

This spring, a bipartisan group of senators proposed the first major overhaul of U.S. immigration policy since 1986.

The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, backed by Republican House members, would allow state and local governments to draft immigration laws that did not conflict with federal statutes. The bill, approved by the House Judiciary Committee this summer, also gives state and local law enforcement agencies more power to arrest and charge immigrants for overstaying visas or entering the country illegally.

Bishop Michael Rinehart of the Evangelical Lutheran Church‘s Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod said the SAFE Act contradicts the principles local faith leaders established in 2008. Those include family unity, protection of workers, a viable path to citizenship and reform of deportation procedures to honor human rights.

“The so-called SAFE Act does not meet these criteria. It mandates more detention, it allows for unlimited detention in some instances without federal oversight, it encourages more racial profiling, it denies access to justice and it criminalizes anyone offering Good Samaritan assistance to those who lack immigration status,” he said. “We can do better than this.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Immigration Statistics, roughly 11.5 million undocumented immigrants were in the United States in January 2011 and 1.8 million of them resided in Texas. Other estimates put the number of unauthorized residents in the Houston area at more than 500,000.

Faith leaders present at the news conference included Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and Rev. John D. Ogletree, Jr. of First Metropolitan Church.

“Elected officials, we urge you to bring reason and passion to the conversations on immigration reform … so that our hearts can respond to the needs of all those who seek the American dream no differently than your parents or mine,” Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel said.

If approved, young people who have been granted deferred action as childhood arrivals by President Barack Obama under criteria in the proposed DREAM Act could face arrest and deportation. One of those who could be vulnerable is 18-year-old Diana Cinco, a Houston high school senior who arrived here from El Salvador at age 7.

“Many things have changed. I got my driver’s license,” she said in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in the Museum District. “I film and create highlight reels for my high school’s football team. If I didn’t have a driver’s license, I probably would not be able to do that. My brother’s life has change drastically also. He has a full-time job and a well-paying job.”

DiNardo said the political situation is “challenging, but this is why we gather as people of prayer.” He remains hopeful for undocumented people who continue to live in the shadows.

“The immigrant community feels somewhat today like they did six months ago or six years ago. They’re afraid. They are looking for a hope some breakthrough will happen,” he said.

Cinco, who wants to attend the University of Houston next fall, said she will lean on her faith and move forward whatever the future may bring.

“Our stories are just beginning. So, don’t do away with deferred action. Don’t take away the hopes and dreams or the future from us. We are part of the future of the United States.”