PRBA Statement Re: Obama's Immigration Policy News
06.18.12
The PRBA applauds President Obama's progressive policy in granting DREAM-ers, undocumented immigrants who have been brought to the U.S. as children, relief from deportation.
Although some cynically characterize Obama's executive order as a political move designed simply to curry favor with Latinos for their vote in November, we choose to see it differently.
We recognize it for what it represents to potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to this country as children: hope.
Hope that they will not be returned to a country that they do not know.
Hope that they will be able to fulfill their potential and contribute fully to the society they grew up in.
Hope that the country they so appreciate recognizes and values them in return.
As the law stands, DREAM-ers have no means to become legal.
As lawyers, we know that this is unjust. The effort to correct this inequity must continue.
President Obama's recent decision is, we hope, the first of many steps that will propel a generation of young, striving and valuable members of our society to aspire to a life beyond the shadows - and what will lead us onto the path of meaningful immigration reform.
Thus, we view Obama's policy shift optimistically.
We are heartened by the fact that what is most important to us - a fair shot for a new generation of students, scientists, dancers, and lawyers - was deemed important enough to address by Executive Order.
United, we can continue to accomplish much.
The PRBA thanks its top sponsors >>
