Immigration Advocates Call On Obama For Reform

By: Grace Rauh

During a rally Saturday, immigrants, religious leaders and elected officials urged President-elect Barack Obama to enact sweeping immigration reforms as soon as he takes office. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

They lined up at the polls, helping propel President-elect Obama to victory. Now immigrants are calling on him to act quickly and issue an executive order stopping immigration raids and the deportation of illegal immigrants.

"This is the moment. He has to show leadership in a very courageous way," said Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn, Manhattan).

The message was loud and clear at the Harlem church, where elected officials, clergy and immigrants filled the pews.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois was also in attendance. He's reaching out to church leaders to build support for immigration reform.

"They have a fundamental philosophy, faith-based organizations and especially Christian organizations, that is, if you see unfairness, if you see injustice, you have a responsibility to act," said Gutierrez.

Over and over officials spoke of the importance of family and said any immigration policy that tears families apart through deportation is unacceptable. When it comes to changing those policies, they are resting their hope on Obama who has said he supports giving illegal immigrants in good standing a path to citizenship.

New Yorkers gathered in the church also shared personal stories about how their families are impacted by existing immigration laws.

We spoke with a young woman who is an undocumented immigrant from Pakistan. She said her family has been arrested and faces the threat of deportation and asked us not to use her full name.

"I really want to live here because I've been here for 11 years and I adopt the culture in America and now I am going to college. I want to finish my education and be something in my life," said Saniya.

Others see the issue differently.

Those in favor of enforcing immigration laws said deportation frees up jobs filled by illegal immigrants, making them available for Americans. Given the nation's worsening unemployment figures, they said that should be a top priority for elected officials.

But for those gathered at this event, the top priority is keeping immigrant families together.

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