Families, Congresspeople, 500+ Orgs Call on President to Suspend Deportations

Best Way to Move Bill Forward is to Keep Families Together Who Are Working Toward Reform 

Congressman Gutierrez as well as Reps. Jackson-Lee, Schakowsky, Titus, Clarke, Cardenas and others join fathers facing deportation and representatives of more than 500 immigrant rights organizations to deliver a letter asking President Obama to suspend deportations for those who would be entitled to eventual citizenship in the immigration bill being currently debated.

The press conference with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Gamaliel, Casa in Action, United We Dream, MALDEF, and the AFL-CIO comes the day after the President brought together immigration reform advocates at the White House to discuss the way forward.

”We call on the President to relieve the suffering of families by ceasing deportations as Congress debates reform,” said Oscar Alfaro.  Oscar, who had previously received a stay of deportation, was recently denied a renewal.  Oscar and his family have battled tirelessly in support of the President’s vision for immigration reform yet may be deported in these next few weeks if the President doesn’t take action to protect him and the 1,100 others who are deported on a daily basis from the United States

 

Immigration: As Senate Takes Up Bill, President Obama Urges Swift Approval | Fox News Latino

Some groups took issue with Obama’s contention in his news conference that enforcement efforts are now focused on criminals, instead of others who do not pose a threat to public safety. Immigration advocacy groups have long criticized the president for the record number of deportations that have occurred under his administration. Many of those who…