wfn.org | Kinnamon calls on Obama, Napolitano to signal new immigrations policy

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Kinnamon calls on Obama, Napolitano to signal a new day in immigrations policy

New York, March 5, 2009 -- Forty-five days into the Obama 
Administration, the General Secretary of the National Council of 
Churches is asking for signs that the promised new day in 
immigrations policy is here.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon issued the appeal after reports that an 
immigration enforcement raid on a family-owned engine plant in 
Bellingham, Wash. resulted in the arrest of 28 employees suspected of 
being illegal immigrants.

The raid, reminiscent of actions routinely carried out by 
immigrations officials during the Bush Administration, apparently 
took place without the knowledge of Homeland Security Secretary Janet 
Napolitano, who said she was investigating the incident.

Last November, a resolution by the General Assembly of the National 
Council of Churches and Church World Service, called on the 
government to end indiscriminate immigration raids on places of employment.

"This approach separates family members, many who have waited decades 
to be reunited, and hurts productivity as those wishing to work in 
this country also endure lengthy backlogs," Kinnamon said. "Such a 
system leaves many facing the choice between feeding their children 
and crossing a border illegally. Reaching a point of desperation, 
many risk their lives to cross the desert, where hundreds of them die 
every year."

During the campaign, President Obama had indicated he favored reforms 
in U.S. immigration policy.

"We recognize that the President has a lot on his plate," Kinnamon 
said. "We know he takes the matter of immigration reform very 
seriously, and incidents like the one reported in Bellingham make it 
clear it's time to implement those reforms."

An editorial in Wednesday's New York Times agreed.

"So, a question: Are Mr. Obama and Ms. Napolitano in charge or not?" 
the Times asked. "Let them show it by ending the raids ... Something 
has to be done about immigration, but it has to be smarter than this."

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office), 
646-853-4212 (cell) , pjenks@ncccusa.org