Georgia leaders call for immigration reform

By Bill Rankin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Comprehensive legislation is needed so undocumented immigrants who are the victims of crime have enough trust in law enforcement to report the offenses, legislative, law enforcement and religious leaders said Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and Atlanta Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory were among those to call for immigration reform at a press conference held at The King Center.

Congress should pass legislation that allows the many undocumented immigrants who come to work in the United States to be here legally, on a temporary basis, before they return to their homelands, Johnson said.

“The lack of a coherent immigration policy is making it more difficult for law enforcement officers to build trusting relationships with immigrants in our communities,” the congressman said. Without it, many victims and witnesses of serious crimes are too afraid to report them for fear they will be taken away from their families because of their illegal status, he said.

Pennington noted that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, of which he is past president, adopted a resolution in July supporting immigration reform. Law enforcement should be allowed to be a part of the debate, Pennington said.

Gregory called on President Barack Obama and Congress to enact comprehensive reform as soon as possible.

“Those in the shadows now should be given legal status and integrated into American society,” Gregory said. “We can no longer accept a status quo that perpetuates a permanent underclass of persons and benefits from their labor without offering them legal protections.”

The leaders also called for legislation that strengthens the nation’s borders.

On Monday, speaking in Guadalajara, Mexico, Obama said his administration will make efforts to change immigration policy a priority next year.