WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- Televangelist Joel Osteen said on "Fox News Sunday" he is stumped on the right course of action to address illegal immigration in the United States.
Osteen said illegal immigration boils down to a conflict between Christian notions of charity and the need for secure borders.
"It's so complicated," said Osteen, pastor of the massive Lakewood Church in Houston. "I'm on the side of mercy, but I do think we have to secure borders. I know both sides of the argument, but I don't know the answer."
Osteen's view on societal issues carry some weight in an election year because of his huge television reach, which Fox said totals about 10 million U.S. households. Lakewood Church also has about 40,000 members and a sizable percentage of Hispanics.
Osteen said he is not convinced amnesty for illegal immigrants is a good idea, but he also said trying to deport 12 million people is not the answer.
"I haven't heard of a great solution yet," he said.
