[BREAKING]:
MDC Press Conference to denounce Misinformation about Deferred Action for undocumented youth
For Immediate Release
Immigrant Justice Organizers Denounce President Obama, Congressman Luis Gutierrez and I.C.I.R.R. for Misleading the Public About Deferred Action for Undocumented Youth
Chicago IL. – Members and supporters of the Moratorium on Deportations Campaign (MDC) launch a campaign to combat misinformation around the Obama Administration’s new Deferred Action campaign. We hold ICIRR, Congressman Gutierrez and Barack Obama responsible for the lives of youth who, following their misleading statements, will end up in ICE custody or deported.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, August 14th at 11:30am
WHERE: Outside Obama’s Campaign Headquarters (One Prudential Plaza)
WHY:
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Congressman Luis Gutierrez have been misleading the public about the benefits and risks of Deferred Action for youth. Homeland Security documents clearly state that even people who meet all the criteria outlined by Janet Napolitano may be rejected and turned over to I.C.E. – and that deportation proceedings may be initiated against them at the discretion of the government.
However, in a press statement announcing the “Historical Dream Relief Day”, ICIRR Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Benito stated “We encourage every undocumented youth who fits the criteria to take advantage of this great opportunity to come out of the shadows by applying for deferred action.” We consider it irresponsible to encourage people to apply without appropriately warning them of the risks involved. The announcement also stated that undocumented youth would be “free from deportation”. This statement is false: deferred action offers no protection from deportation. ICIRR and Congressman Luis Gutierrez have been recruiting people into a dangerous and uncertain situation and using people as guinea pigs for their own political gains.
Although candidate Obama secured the previous elections by advertising his support for just immigration reform, President Obama has deported more people than any other president in US history. Now, because of the elections, he is once again trying to use immigrants for his political gains. We demand that Mr. Obama use his executive power to create real, accountable and safe solutions to this country’s broken immigration system – beginning with a Moratorium on Deportations – and not false solutions that claim to offer relief for youth while making them subject to deportation. We consider this an expansion of enforcement, not a relief program.
Background
President Obama has advertised a new campaign supposedly granting relief to undocumented youth who meet certain criteria. But Homeland Security documents clearly state: even people who meet all the criteria may be rejected and turned over to I.C.E. There is no guarantee they will be granted any kind of relief, and the government will be able to initiate deportation proceedings against them, or their families, at any time. In addition, Deferred Action does not grant any legal status. It simply meas the government may temporarily suspend actions against you – referring to any action with the purposes of forced removal.
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Moratorium on Deportations Campaign 