Thought Leadership

AILA South Florida Issues Statement on Top Immigration Issues

Red Banyan Group client AILA South Florida this week issued a statement addressing some of the country’s latest immigration issues. The organization’s comments focused on the humanitarian crisis produced by unaccompanied immigrant minors being separated from their families, and how President Obama has an opportunity to take executive action on immigration reform.

A link to the press release issuing the statement and its full text are included below.

AILA South Florida Issues Statement on the Humanitarian Crisis Surrounding Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors and How President Obama Can Act on Immigration

Miami, FL (PRWEB) June 30, 2014

AILA South Florida today issued statements addressing two of the biggest immigration issues of the day, which go hand in hand. The chapter’s comments below address both the humanitarian crisis surrounding the recent wave of unaccompanied immigrant minors separated from their families, and President Obama’s opportunity to take executive action on immigration reform in the absence of congressional reform.

“The United States is undoubtedly facing a humanitarian and refugee crisis with tens of thousands of unaccompanied Central American minors fleeing gangs, narco-traffic, bloody violence and abuse, seeking refuge and a chance to reunite with their parents in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security apparently intends to deport these children as quickly as possible, even though many may have legitimate claims to asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, family reunification, U and T visa protection against crime and trafficking, and other humanitarian relief.

“The U.S. is a party to international treaties regulating the treatment of refugees and, in particular, children. Ours is no longer simply a broken immigration system; it is a hellish one if it can’t even treat children as special under the law.”

The organization is also calling for comprehensive reform of the country’s immigration policies. With Congressional reform appearing unlikely for this year, AILA South Florida is emphasizing that President Obama can do much within his proper executive authority to affect change and alleviate many of the immigration problems plaguing families and employers.

“President Obama’s executive latitude in fixing immigration policy is broad. He can lawfully exercise this power, without Congressional action, to ameliorate harsh immigration policies that are not responsive to family and business needs. President Obama has been an immigration reform advocate, but he has been meek in using his great power to effect change. We sincerely hope that he will display courage and fortitude and take the lead with executive decisions that fix our broken immigration system.”

A highly active chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that has earned praise for its innovation and the high caliber of its affiliated professionals, AILA South Florida was recently awarded the prestigious Platinum Chapter Excellence Award for 2013-2014. The chapter’s attorney members are readily available to serve as sources for legal assistance and to provide information and analysis related to U.S. immigration policies and immigration reform.

About AILA South Florida
AILA South Florida is one of the largest and most respected chapters of the national American Immigration Lawyers Association. The organization’s attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized and high quality immigration law counsel to immigrants throughout South Florida. AILA South Florida attorneys strive to utilize their legal education, experience and specialized knowledge to effectively represent individuals in immigration legal matters based on each individual’s unique circumstances, immigration history, and ultimate objectives.