The leader of Long Island?s 1.4 million Catholics has taken a stand on the issue of immigration reform.

Bishop William Murphy has written a letter addressing both sides of the debate. Murphy says the country needs to address border security and that any kind of reform should provide a pathway to permanent legal status. He adds the church opposes the criminalizing of immigrants, as well as the agencies and religious congregants who do.

Congressman Peter King (R-Seaford), who co-sponsored a bill focusing on immigration enforcement, disagrees with Bishop Murphy. He says he recently returned from a border inspection tour that convinced him more than ever that the bishop is completely wrong on the issue.