7:05 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Georgia leaders call for immigration reform

By Bill Rankin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Comprehensive legislation is needed so undocumented immigrants who are the victims of crime have enough trust in law enforcement to report the offenses, legislative, law enforcement and religious leaders said Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and Atlanta Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory were among those to call for immigration reform at a press conference held at The King Center.

Congress should pass legislation that allows the many undocumented immigrants who come to work in the United States to be here legally, on a temporary basis, before they return to their homelands, Johnson said.

“The lack of a coherent immigration policy is making it more difficult for law enforcement officers to build trusting relationships with immigrants in our communities,â€