The Latin American Association, the largest provider of social and legal immigration services to the Latino community in Atlanta, welcomed President Obama’s executive action on immigration, which will provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to more than 4 million young people and parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
“This historic announcement is a critical step forward,” said LAA Executive Director Jeffrey Tapia. “But we still need comprehensive immigration reform.”
Tapia said that the President’s relief program will keep families together, allow men and women to work and alleviate hardships for many immigrants.
“We share the immense relief of the families who will benefit,” she said. “But we cannot forget that the executive order is a temporary and partial solution. It does not provide permanent status or a path to citizenship. There are millions of individuals who will be excluded from this program.”
Tapia said that our current immigration system does not meet the social and economic needs of our country.
“Only comprehensive immigration reform will provide a permanent and broad solution,” Tapia said. “Congress must act now to provide immigration reform that is just and fair and that offers an attainable path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented individuals who share our dreams and values and who contribute to the greatness of this nation.”
