Press Statement: Santa Clara County Immigrant & Civil Rights Organizations Call on President Obama Not to Delay Review of Deportation Policies

The Cost of Inaction is Too Great, Our Families and Communities Cannot Afford to Wait

SAN JOSE, CA – On May 28, 2014, President Obama ordered U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to delay his current review of the administration’s deportation policies until the end of the summer.  The Santa Clara County Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform issues the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed in the step backward that President Obama has taken. Months ago, when he ordered a review of his administration’s harsh deportation policies, we welcomed a glimmer of hope for some relief for our families while Congress reaches a permanent solution. But instead of allowing Secretary Jeh Johnson to move forward with this long overdue review, the suffering of thousands of immigrant families across our country will continue. 

“Over two million people have been deported in the last six years, which means tens of thousands more will be deported between now and August.  The cost of waiting and inaction from Congress is too great, we need real action that stops tearing our families apart now. While it is shameful for House leadership to refuse to put immigration reform to a vote, it is also unconscionable for the Obama Administration to continue to enforce such cruel policies that tear apart more than 1,100 families each and every day.  Our broken immigration system is a direct threat to the United States’ economy and the combined legacy and aspiration of being a nation of immigrants. But more than anything, the cruel and inhumane treatment of people does not reflect the position of the majority of citizens in this country who support comprehensive immigration reform.  We will continue to call for both the Administration and Congress to stop playing politics with deportations and take immediate action to stop the unnecessary and unjust destruction of our families.”

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The Santa Clara County Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform is comprised of immigrant rights advocates, community organizers, service providers and labor organizations coming together in support of comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes a roadmap to citizenship, worker protections and family unity.

Asian Law Alliance; Center for Employment Training (CET); Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy & Services (C.A.R.A.S.); Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA); Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; People Acting in Community Together - San Jose (PACT-SJ); Sacred Heart Community Services; Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN); SEIU - United Service Workers West; Student Advocates for Higher Education (SAHE) at San Jose State University; Working Partnerships US.  And more.