While immigration disputes engulf Congress, a group of faith, business, national security and law enforcement leaders are urging both sides to come together in constructive conversations about the issue.

Founded in 2013, the National Immigration Forum recently placed a full-page ad in the Washington, D.C. edition of the New York Times. Among signers of the statement were Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Shirley Hoogstra, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities; and Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration.

Among the other 65 signatories were Michael Moore, police chief of Los Angeles; Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Hertling, former commander of U.S. Army Europe; and Steve Case, CEO of the venture capital firm Revolution and former chairman of AOL.

“Our nation, and the freedoms that define it, was built by immigrants who sought a better life and safer future for their children,” said Ali Noorani, the forum’s executive director. “Our shared history demonstrates that a welcoming, compassionate America is a stronger one.”