Dems Urge Obama To Halt Deportations

By Philip Bunnell

A group of House Democrats called on President Obama Wednesday to curb the high rate of deportations of illegal immigrants out of the U.S. Lawmakers also used the opportunity to announce an extension of a nationwide tour highlighting the deportations.

Joining the lawmakers were families and individuals directly impacted by the deportations. One woman, a mother of two whose husband had been deported to Cameroon, said that she hoped personal stories could bring about immigration reform. A 14-year-old, orphaned when both her parents succumbed to cancer and now living with her aunt, an illegal, said her family was “in trouble because of this broken immigration policy,” and was scared that her aunt could also be taken away from her.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) criticized opponents of immigration reform, asking “does anyone with any sense at all think our country is better?” for seperating families with deportations.  Similarly, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) said that immigrants work harder than anyone, stating, “that’s American.”

With the prospects of immigration reform seemingly stuck in neutral these days, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who organized the press conference, said that activists need to take their message to the White House, pointing out that President Obama has the power to prevent deportations.