Reverend Luis Cortes, Jr. Commends Obama Administration for Immigration Reform Announcement

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reverend Luis Cortes, Jr., founder and President of Esperanza, commends the Obama administration for its announcement on Thursday, August 18, 2011 that the federal government will stop the deportation of undocumented immigrants who do not pose an immediate threat to public safety or national security. Reverend Cortes stated:

"The Obama administration has stepped up in a significant way, to answer the call of twenty-two Democratic Senators who petitioned for sensible and humanitarian interventions for the immigration crisis we are currently experiencing in America. The response of this administration – to implement a review of the 300,000 cases currently pending deportation and halt the process for those who are contributors to our society rather than threats to our safety – shows prudence and insight about how we must address this issue long-term.

"Under the current system, our country is being deprived of the tremendous benefits we could reap from immigration reform, because of the exorbitant cost of detention and deportation, the negative economic repercussions, and the damage done to families and communities when they are ripped apart. This decision to strategically focus our deportation resources on high-priority cases and give productive individuals a chance to stay and continue working takes us one big step in the right direction, but there is still much more work to be done.

"It is my sincere hope that conservatives will begin to take up the immigration reform issue, and to define and implement a controlled border program, as undocumented entry into the country continues to decline. It is also important that those who are here illegally undergo sanction, to ensure that we are not granting amnesty. We know through discussions with conservatives that there are leaders who express a willingness and desire to move this issue forward toward workable solutions. The actions of these twenty-two Democratic Senators, and the response of the executive branch, now challenges conservatives to come forward, engage in the dialogue, and present their own ideas for repairing a broken system.

"I am gratified for the immediate positive impact this action will have on young children, students, working families, the elderly, and other groups who are an essential part of the fabric of our society. We are now vested in supporting its implementation, and anticipate Congress' response to help us move even further toward a solution to this problem."

Esperanza is the premiere Hispanic Evangelical network in the United States. With a national network of over 12,000 Hispanic congregations and community non-profits, Esperanza is one of the leading voices for Hispanics in America.

SOURCE Esperanza USA