Release of ICE detainees shines spotlight on immigration reform debate

After news came out that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had released some immigrant detainees who pose no security risks in anticipation of looming budget cuts, Latino groups called for a halt to deportations of undocumented families. “It shouldn’t take a manufactured crisis in Washington to prompt our immigration agencies to actually take steps towards using government resources wisely or keeping families together, treat ” said United We Dream’s Carolina Canizales.  Pablo Alvarado, Executive Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), said ”the President should move aggressively to reunite the families currently divided by detention not only to save money but to bring immigration policy back in line with cherished national values.” ICE deputy press secretary Gillian Christensen released a statement today, saying that “as fiscal uncertainty remains over the continuing resolution and possible sequestration,

State TRUST Acts & NYC Bills to Protect Against Record Breaking Deportations, Set Direction for National Reform

Revelations of Deportation Quota and Widespread Detainer Requests Spur Local Policies to Restore Trust and Safety, Protect Immigrant Residents   States and cities across the country are taking the initiative to use their constitutional powers to improve public safety and advance the inclusion of their immigrant residents by limiting ICE’s overreaching hold requests. New bills are expected to pass New…

Immigrants Released Ahead of Automatic Budget Cuts – NYTimes.com

The government has not dropped the deportation cases against the immigrants, however: The detainees have been freed on supervised release while their cases continue in court, officials said. The releases, which have taken place over the past few days, were approved “in order to make the best use of our limited detention resources in the current fiscal climate and to manage our detention population under current congressionally mandated levels,” Gillian M. Christensen, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an arm of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement. The budget cuts, also called the sequester, are scheduled to take effect Friday. The agency, Ms. Christensen added, “is continuing to prosecute their cases in immigration court and, when ordered, will seek their removal from the country.”

In Response to ICE’s Reported Release of Detainees, NDLON Calls for End to Police/ICE Collaboration Programs

Nation Cannot Afford Immigration Policy Driven by Politically Motivated Deportation Quota   February 26, 2013 – Los Angeles, CA In response to the news of ICE releasing some detainees as it undergoes a review related to budget considerations, Pablo Alvarado, Executive Director of NDLON issued the following statement:   “We cannot afford morally to be a society where immigration policy…

Be Our Guest: The downside of immigration reform is increased deportation of immigrants who don’t deserve it   – NY Daily News

In recent weeks, the federal fight for immigration reform kicked off in earnest, medical with Congress and the White House issuing their legislative principles, and the White House “leaking” specific proposals for a bill. Reform offers the bright possibility of legalization for 11 million, including more than 700,000 New Yorkers who live and work in, con…