Let My People Stay

While the Jews prepare to celebrate Passover and recall Moses' demand of Pharaoh, immigration activists across the United States are planning demonstrations in Washington Saturday calling on President Obama to let their people stay.

They want the President to throttle back his deportation policy and stop splitting immigrants from their families and communities.  They expect him to do more than tell the Department of Homeland Security to review its deportation policies. 

In its post-2012 election "autopsy," the GOP decided to push immigration reform as the key to winning back Hispanic votes.  A strong bipartisan reform bill passed the Senate last year, backed by American Jewish organizations, but strong opposition from the Tea Party wing and others on the far right stopped it dead in the House. 

If Republicans do anything, and even that is doubtful, they will focus on border security and more deportations, not fewer.  The Obama administration had accelerated deportations when it came to office and is now being urged to slow down, especially when it means splitting families.

"The time is now to stop deportations.  Immigration reform has been stalled, and we need action now," said Cesar Vargas, co-director of the Dream Action Coalition. 

I'm sure it's just a coincidence but #Not1More campaign's T-shirts and signs are in blue and white.