Caribbean legislators welcome new U.S. immigration policy

After many decades of constant bad news about deportation of illegal Caribbean and other immigrants from the “Land of Many Opportunities,” Caribbean legislators in the United States have wholeheartedly embraced President Barack Obama’s bombshell announcement to suspend deportation proceedings against illegal but law-abiding immigrants. In a major policy shift announced on Thursday, August 18, the White House said it would instead focus federal resources on booting out convicted criminals and others who pose a threat to public safety or national security.

It said undocumented law-abiding Caribbean and other immigrants facing deportation can now apply for work permits. Caribbean legislators told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that this new policy represents an “important first step toward reform” of a “broken immigration system. “As Americans, we have a moral responsibility to build an immigration system that protects families and children, and supports those individuals who want to contribute to our civil society,” said U. S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who represents the sprawling 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, which arguably constitutes the largest district of Caribbean immigrants in the U. S.

“By reviewing deportation proceedings case by case, the Department of Homeland Security will have the ability to avoid expending its resources on low-priority cases in which threats to national security or public safety are not implicated,” said Clarke, whose mother, Una Clarke, was the first ever Caribbean-born immigrant to be elected to the New York City Council.

“Many of the individuals who will benefit from this policy entered the United States as children. Now, as young adults, they want to pursue a college education or serve in the armed forces.

“Our society should support their commitment to the ‘American Dream.’ ” At the same time, the congresswoman urged the Obama administration and congressional legislators to continue pursuing comprehensive immigration reform.

“We need to have a policy that addresses national security, the importance of strong families and communities, and the development of our economy,” Clarke said.

“These are matters of concern for all Americans. It is my hope that members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, will work together for comprehensive immigration reform.”

Grenadian-American New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 45th Council District in Brooklyn, agreed that Obama has taken a “great first step in addressing the immigration problems facing this country”. “I am glad that the president and I agree that undocumented immigrants who are law-abiding and are working to make a better life for themselves and their families should not be treated by law enforcement like convicted criminals,” he said.

“This is an important effort which will hopefully spur forward the national conversation towards compassionate immigration reform, including the passage of the Dream Act for undocumented students,” he added.

“I hope the president will further elucidate how the administration will define ‘low-priority cases’, to ensure that minor offenders which pose no danger to our society are dealt with in a humane manner.” Another Caribbean legislator, Haitian-born Councilman Dr Mathieu Eugene, whose 40th District in Brooklyn is adjacent to Williams’s, commended President Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for “agreeing to give immigrants facing deportation the opportunity to remain in the United States.

“This is a significant step towards improving our immigration system and helping many immigrants who have established livelihoods in their communities,” he said.

“I applaud President Obama and his administration for reviewing all deportation cases, which will positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, their children and their families living across the United States,” he said.

“The children of immigrants will help shape the future of our nation, and will undoubtedly become the doctors, lawyers, educators and leaders of tomorrow.” Immigration advocates say the new policy will help thousands of illegal Caribbean and other immigrants who came to the United States as young children, graduated from high school and want to go on to college or serve in the armed forces.

The White House and classifier officials said they would exercise “prosecutorial discretion” to focus enforcement efforts on cases involving criminals and people who have flagrantly violated immigration laws. Under the new policy, the secretary of homeland security can provide relief, on a case by case basis, to young people who are in the country illegally but pose no threat to national security or to the public safety. The decision would, through administrative action, help many intended beneficiaries of legislation that has been stalled in the U. S. Congress for a decade. The sponsor of the legislation, Democrat Senator Richard J Durbin of Illinois, has argued that “these young people should not be punished for their parents’ mistakes.” The action would also bolster President Obama’s reputation with minority voters as he heads into the 2012 election.