Immigration advocates ask Obama to suspend deportation
According to the Washington Post, more than 410,000 undocumented immigrant workers were forced to leave the country last year. This was an all-time high for the United States. With such startling numbers, immigration advocates are asking President Obama to delay deportations of immigrant workers who would potentially qualify for legal status under a proposed immigration bill, which is currently being debated in by U.S. legislators.
An estimated 1,100 undocumented immigrants are being deported from the U.S. every single day, the Washington Post reports. However, as lawmakers consider a law, which would permit most undocumented immigrants to apply for legal standing, advocates wonder whether it is immoral to continually deport these immigrants at such high numbers. The process is ripping apart families that could stay together if the law proposal succeeds.
The proposed law would allow those who arrived before the end of 2011 an opportunity to earn a green card after one decade and citizenship just three years after this period. Undocumented immigrants that have not committed other crimes would be eligible for this legal benefit.
Nevertheless, the excess number of recent deportations has discouraged many advocates. Previously, Obama’s administration was more concerned with propelling immigration reform – not easing up on enforcement. However, now, sources note that the political backdrop has transformed since a bipartisan Senate filed the immigration legislation. With this, advocates hope that President Obama will consider delaying the soaring number of deportations. According to the director of policy and advocacy for United We Dream, if President Obama is genuine about immigration reform, he needs to respond to the extreme number of deportations, which could affect several families across the U.S.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will soon hold the hearings to amend the immigration bill. Advocates hope that legislators will vote by the end of May 2013.
Immigration laws are continuously evolving in the U.S., and this positive reform is bringing greater rights to those who want to be productive members of society. However, this does not mean that undocumented immigrants cannot be deported. As the law stands, the risk of deportation is high. Therefore, it is important to act quickly.
If you would like to learn more about deportation and the potential changes to immigration law, you may benefit from speaking with a qualified immigration law attorney in your area. A lawyer can help you assess any relevant rights and options. You may need legal support as you fight for your place in the country.