Thread: PROTESTORS BLOCK ICE VANS TRANSPORTING DETAINEES IN NYC.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bro ... wrong.html

President Obama has not followed through on his promise of fair immigration reform
Albor Ruiz - Ny Local

Thursday, January 7th 2010, 8:26 AM

The fear, the persecution, the prejudice, the families divided that had been the reality of immigrants - legal or not - under George W. Bush, were not what candidate Barack Obama promised.

Fair immigration reform, a humane way of dealing with immigrant families, hope for a better future, that's what Obama's election meant to millions.

But as Jean Montrevil can attest, that hasn't been the case.

A Haitian-born green-card holder since 1986, Montrevil is married to an African-American woman and is the father of four U.S.-born children. Nevertheless U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Montrevil on Dec. 30 for deportation to Haiti.

The alleged reason: A 20-year-old drug conviction for which he already served time. Montrevil has kept a clean record ever since, yet he is awaiting deportation in Pennsylvania's York County Prison.

"Jean made a mistake when he was 20, before we started building a family together," said Jani, Montrevil's wife. "But he has turned his life around."

Two days after his arrest, Montrevil, who is a respected immigrant rights leader, began a hunger strike.

"I am fasting side-by-side with nearly 60 others to take a stand against this horrific deportation and detention system that is tearing families apart," he said.

On Tuesday, over 100 outraged supporters rallied outside the Federal Detention Facility at Varick St. to demand Montrevil's release and an immediate halt to the ICE raids and deportations.

Ten protesters were arrested for preventing vans from bringing new detainees to the center.

"I was arrested because it is a moral outrage that our government would do this," said the Rev. Donna Schaper of Judson Memorial Church, where Montrevil's family worships. "These immigration laws destroy families and contradict the values we should uphold as a society."

Juan Carlos Ruiz, a Catholic leader, was also arrested.

"I did it because these are bad laws that undermine human dignity and we have to say no to them with our lives and our bodies if necessary," Ruiz said.

Montrevil's wife remains hopeful.

"Many people make mistakes at 20, but I hope Homeland Security realizes Jean has so much support because he is a good person," she said.

But York County Prison is not the only place a hunger strike is underway.

In the small town of Naranja, Fla., located south of Miami, near Homestead, an area heavily populated by immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti, five people have been fasting since Jan. 1.

Always a poor area, the economic crisis has dried up jobs. But worse, the community has been devastated by deportations.

"For people here things have gotten worse, and that it is happening under Obama is very disappointing. The immigration issue has always been the number one problem in their lives. That's why the fast is called Fast for Our Families," said Jonathan Fried, executive director of We Count!, a multi-ethnic organization that works for the rights of immigrants. He is one of those fasting.

"Our demands are for the Obama administration to use its legal authority to suspend the detention and deportation of persons with U.S. citizen family members," Fried said. "And for (Homeland Security Secretary Janet) Napolitano to visit with us, so she can hear from us firsthand the conditions that moved us to fast."

The Fast For Our Families will continue indefinitely, Fried said.

"It is time to say to President Obama: This is on your watch. Also, tell everyone that we support Jean Montrevil 100%," Fried said.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bro ... z0bwLfQzQ7

"I am fasting side-by-side with nearly 60 others to take a stand against this horrific deportation and detention system that is tearing families apart," he said.

Fast away, bro... save us the depotation fees! I am sick to death of this crap, and any trace of sympathy I once had is LONG gone. This idiot had YEARS to get legal, but couldn't be bothered, so he has NO ONE to blame but himself for the situation is is in.

The Priest, Preachers, Pastors, Reverands etc. that got arrested are SO wrong in supporting this.

There is NOTHING wrong with US immigration laws. There is just something wrong with those who refuse to obey them.

There seems to be a few details left out of this article...If the guy has held a green card since 1986, and is married to an American citizen....ICE doesn't just all of a sudden decide to deport the guy. He had obviously ignored past orders to appear.

Two days after his arrest, Montrevil, who is a respected immigrant rights leader, began a hunger strike.

"I am fasting side-by-side with nearly 60 others to take a stand against this horrific deportation and detention system that is tearing families apart," he said.

LOL...Good luck with that! As if anyone cares...LOL

Let's have a pity party

"Our demands are for the Obama administration to use its legal authority to suspend the detention and deportation of persons with U.S. citizen family members," Fried said. "And for (Homeland Security Secretary Janet) Napolitano to visit with us, so she can hear from us firsthand the conditions that moved us to fast.

Where have these people been? Obama has already stopped enforcing our immigration laws against the authority of Congress.

"Our demands are for the Obama administration to use its legal authority to suspend the detention and deportation of persons with U.S. citizen family members,"

The Obama administration has pretty much done just that . . . only for ALL illegals, not just those with citizen family members. What's the gripe?

This foolish statement implies that if an illegal can find an American willing to marry them, they should be granted the right to reside here permanently.

Montrevil's wife remains hopeful.

"Many people make mistakes at 20, but I hope Homeland Security realizes Jean has so much support because he is a good person," she said.

Last time I checked "good person" wasn't one of the qualifications for citizenship. There are good people all over the world, but that doesn't mean we can welcome all of them to our country.

Albor is a one trick pony and the NY Daily Snooze is a liberal rag. I still read it everyday though to see what lies they are trying to pass off as the truth.

I posted to the source link:

Boo Hoo Hoo Obama PROMISED! Just go to politfact dot com where there is a list of promises Obama made to AMERICAN CITIZENS that he has failed to keep. Any Legal Immigrant or Illegal Alien who doesn't understand the consequences of breaking any American Law deserves to be deported no matter how many years they have managed to evade enforcement. If Albor had his way every body on the planet would be entitled to American citizenship if they could just get here. Give it up Albor, there isn't going to be an Amnesty and Sanctuary Cities and States are going to be OUTLAWED! IAs brought this on themselves. When they came in trickles hardly anyone noticed but who could possibly not see this flood?

UMMM so he new in 1986 ( Year of the 1st amnesty) and he was here in 1996 ( year of the second amnesty) that he could not become a citizen due to his record, yet he remained here, married, had children and now we are suppose to feel sorry for him....ummm should have made this life in his own country, now his family pays for his decisions....sorry, such is life.