Press Statement: Santa Clara County Coalition Reacts to News of Delay on Executive Action

Coalition of Santa Clara County Organizations Expresses Serious Disappointment at President’s Delay of Administrative Relief

September 8, 2014, San José, CA – President Obama recently stated that he will not be taking executive action to provide administrative relief to immigrant families until after the November elections. The Santa Clara County Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform - comprised of immigrant rights, civil rights, community, youth, labor, and faith-based organizations – released the following statement:

“We are extremely disappointed by the President’s decision. By reversing on his previous commitment made in June, the President is putting politics before the lives of hardworking immigrants who have established roots in the country. Congress has failed to enact any type of legislative reform that is critical both to the nation and millions of immigrants’ lives who depend upon it. Now is the time for the President to demonstrate leadership and take action rather than delay justice.

“We join community members across the country in urging the President to reconsider his delay and instead move forward on exercising his executive authority. The Santa Clara County Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform specifically calls upon the President and the Administration to expand programs that prevent the deportation of undocumented immigrants; protects family unity; reforms enforcement priorities and practices; provides protections for immigrant workers; and guarantees due process protections, reforms the detention system, and prohibits state and local enforcement of immigration laws.

“We remain committed to continuing the movement and bring justice for immigrant families. With a record number of immigrants having been deported under his watch, the President has both the moral and legal obligation to be on the right side of history. We will continue to call upon the President to set aside politics and keep his commitment to providing relief for immigrants in this country.”

Media Contact: Victoria Ramirez, SIREN
victoria@siren-bayarea.org
(408) 453-3003 x 111
 

Endorsements
Asian Americans for Community Involvement
Asian Law Alliance
Center for Employment Training
Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services
Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area office (CAIR-SFBA)
Human Agenda
JFI San Jose (Justice for Immigrants, San Jose)
Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Latinos United for a New America (LUNA)
Mountain View Dreamers
Movimiento de Accion Inspirando Servicio (MAIZ)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Pangea Legal Services
People Acting in Community Together
Sacred Heart Community Service
SEIU 521

Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West
Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN)
South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council
Student Advocates for Higher Education at San Jose State University
United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 5
Working Partnerships USA