While some have lauded Obama’s attempts to offer immigration relief through executive orders in November 2014, the best of those provisions—extension of the deferred action immigration relief to parents of US citizens has been stopped up in the courts. Meanwhile, his enforcement strategy has continued. In late December, the Washington Post reported that the administration would start the New Year by Central American families who came to the US in the past couple of years but have been ordered to leave by a judge. Raids started in the Atlanta area on January 2. At least 11 families were detained, according to the Los Angeles Times. So far, hundreds of people, mostly mothers and children have been detained. And its unclear whether the raids will continue.
In the recent state of the union address, immigrants were mentioned in passing, but no plan for reform nor discussion of current policy was present. Meanwhile, and relatedly states around the country are considering anti-sanctuary bills, including in Wisconsin where AB 450 would prohibit local ordinances, resolutions, and policies that prohibit immigration status inquiries and reports to, and cooperation with, other units of government about the presence of undocumented immigrants. The legislature is set to take this up next week.
Guests Stacy Taeuber, the director of the UW Immigration Justice Clinic, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, Nazka Serrano, restorative justice coordinator for the YWCA and immigration activist, and Alberto Cuevas, UW grad and resident of Chicago, join APA host Karma Chavez.