Pax Christi USA joins its voice with the many that had great hopes that President Obama, in September, would use his executive authority to address the broken U.S. immigration system as he had promised. Those hopes have been seriously dashed over the weekend by the President’s announcement that he will delay his decision until after the November elections, lest the decision have an impact on those seeking re-election. In essence, the President has yielded to political pressure and has bartered with the lives of immigrant children and families. PCUSA finds this not only profoundly disappointing, but also unacceptable for a country that boasts such high ideals.
This delay simply means more hardship and suffering for those who have endured more than their share of trauma: threats of deportation for those who have lived here for years, returning children to countries of origin amidst death threats, the continuation of 1,000+ daily deportations and the inhumane conditions and screening at detention facilities.
We ask President Obama to have a change of mind and heart, to put an immediate end to splitting apart immigrant families, and to provide safety and care for the children who are alone.
I too, am sad and disappointed at the President’s lack on Immigration —
I applaud Pax Christi USA for the tireless effort to keep this issue in a just and humane manner before the public. God help us all!
The statement could not be more clear about the humanitarian consequences of the delay.
I may have missed earlier PCUSA notices on this issue when it came to light that several candidates called on the President to delay his actions till AFTER the election. My question is : Were similar statements sent to those candidates so as to
1) encourage and remind the candidates to stand strong on their moral, legal and humanitarian responsibilities; and
2) lighten the pressure on the President ?
thank u.
Thank you PCUSA (and especially Sr. Patty) for a heartfelt and diplomatic statement on the President’s delay in taking executive action to make significant immigration reform. Let us hope that if we have to wait until after the election, President Obama will take the necessary steps to make immigration reform meaningful and expansive.
We know we cannot count on Congress.
In the meantime, let’s everyone VOTE!
I may sound incredibly cold-hearted, even cruel, but have you ever been in the shoes of the people running for office? I haven’t run for office myself, but I have been very active politically and worked hard for many candidates. I know many people think that all politicians are crooked, corrupt, and only interested in their own advancement — and some are. But I have worked with many very dedicated people who truly care about people and the common good. The dilemma they often face is that they have to compromise in order to get elected and, if they don’t get elected, then they’re not in a position to accomplish anything.
Thanks to Pax Christi USA for its prophetic statement. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ““Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”
I have to agree with Emma, though sadly. If the Democrats don’t keep the majority in the Senate, I daresay, the Republicans will keep up their stubbornness and not allow ANYTHING for the poor, immigrants or anyone not rich to pass. It’s a terrible position to be in; wish he could at least halt the deportations.
The only weapon we have left is our vote, which is very important in the next election, recommending that we only vote for candidates that will come out in favor of Immigration Reform is what we need to do. Not only would they get our votes but also the Latino vote. Not voting is also an action, you cannot claim to be a democracy if you have elections where only 20% votes.
I rejoice in Tom Cordero’s response, above. Each day I pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas, to keep the traveling wannabe immigrants safe from harm, and for Her to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our officials to do their very best to lead our nation to the most safe and accommodating solution to this mass movement of asylum seekers. America the Beautiful!
As a strong supporter of Pres. Obama I am disappointed and disheartened by this delay which keeps pushing this humanitarian crisis to the back burner. I’m cutting off my monthly financial commitment to his agenda because of this and the apparent march to war that we’re on.
Reblogged this on Felician JPIC.