Civil and Human Rights Coalition Responds to White House Decision to Delay Executive Action on Immigration

WASHINGTON – Following President Obama’s announcement on his decision to delay executive action on immigration, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights President and CEO Wade Henderson released the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed that the White House is putting off any executive action on immigration. Postponing reasonable changes to reduce unnecessary deportations, or to make any other reforms to our aggressive immigration enforcement system, will have dire consequences for communities across the nation – especially in parts of the nation where there is intense hostility facing the immigrant community.

For a long time now, civil and human rights supporters across the nation have been waiting on decisionmakers in Washington to enact meaningful reforms to fix our broken immigration system. The Senate did its part and passed legislation that would have changed the lives of millions of people for the better, and the House had the votes to pass a similar bill. Instead, the House leadership, afraid it would enrage its base if it cooperated with President Obama, only delivered obstruction. In the wake of this inaction, countless families will continue to be separated by heavy-handed enforcement policies.  

While we are disappointed, the status quo remains completely unacceptable. The Leadership Conference remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving permanent, comprehensive solutions that respect the dignity of immigrant families – and to holding decisionmakers accountable for their failure to act.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.