PHOENIX — More than a dozen religious leaders on Monday called on Arizona’s elected officials and community leaders to turn what they call a fear-based immigration debate into a more compassionate dialogue.

The mostly evangelical leaders wrote a letter to the governor, House speaker and Senate president urging them to seek out and enact tangible solutions to the nation’s immigration woes.

“Unfortunately, a number of local and state officials have responded by engaging in a public conversation that is dividing our community, confusing enforcement procedures and creating an unwelcoming spirit for many seeking to make Arizona their home,” according to the letter.

“The debate continues to focus on broad fears and assumptions concerning the complex issue of immigration.”

Barrett Marson, a spokesman for Republican House Speaker Jim Weiers, said in a statement that while they had not received the letter, legislation related to illegal immigration passed in the House “seeks to eliminate any fear among the state’s residents,”

“In fact, the House bills seek to ensure law and order is preserved and all citizens are protected,” he said. “People obeying the laws should have no fear from law enforcement.”

Jeanine L’Ecuyer, a spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, said the group wasn’t “too far afield” from the governor on the issue. “We look forward to hearing from them in constructive ways as we go forward,” L’Ecuyer said.

Gary Kinnaman, pastor at large of the 6,000-member Word of Grace church in Mesa, said the faith leaders are not advocating a specific plan to address illegal immigration, but they do support discussing a path to citizenship for the nation’s 12 million illegal immigrants.

“No one is illegal in the eyes of God,” Kinnaman said. “Regardless of how we stand politically and how we see this issue, there are real people in the crossfire. Somehow we have to affirm the need for law and order, but by the same token, we’ve got to do something that’s compassionate.”

As a result of failed immigration policies, Hispanics are being pulled over for minor traffic violations, families are being separated by deportations, some workers in the country illegally are not getting paid, others are dying in the desert and some are being held against their will by violent human smugglers, said Kit Danley, president of Neighborhood Ministries, a west Phoenix nonprofit

“The result of all this has been a community terrified to do the normal things they’ve been doing for years — taking their kids to school, going to the grocery store, driving from here to there,” she said. “We cannot remain silent when faced with such injustices.”

Kinnaman said he anticipates some backlash within his church and other evangelical churches for their stance on immigration.

“It’s such a volatile issue,” he said. “I can’t imagine somebody won’t be upset, but it’s something that has to be said.”