From Catholic News Service Briefs
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs ... 081205.htm

Advocates for immigrants feeling optimistic reform will be addressed

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A sense of optimism about the coming year is starting to settle in among advocates for immigrants who had begun to weary after years of unsuccessfully seeking reform of immigration laws and policies. Several nominations and appointments by President-elect Barack Obama are being taken as one reason for some hope. Signals also are coming from Congress that leaders may be prepared to tackle immigration sooner rather than later in the 111th Congress. And resounding support for Obama among Latino, Asian and immigrant voters and a new poll conducted for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are more indicators that the hostility that helped defeat immigration reform several times recently may no longer hold the same sway in Washington. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Obama's nominee to head Homeland Security, which includes immigration-related agencies, is well-respected by those who support comprehensive immigration reform. Obama's appointee to be director of intergovernmental affairs at the White House, Cecilia Munoz, comes from a career of working to improve the situation of immigrants. She currently is vice president of research, advocacy and legislation at the National Council of La Raza.