During the past six years, the Obama administration has aggressively enforced deportation laws. In fact, the current administration has conducted more deportations than any other administration that has been in office. These deportations have led to many families being ripped apart. At least 5,000 American children have been placed in foster care due to the deportation of a parent. Even President Obama has acknowledged the hardships families have experienced due to deportation, stating that there was “deep concern about the pain too many families feel from the separation that comes from our broken immigration system.”
Change may soon come to the deportation policy that has wreaked havoc on households across the country. On Thursday, President Obama expressed his belief that the deportation process needed to become more humane. During a meeting in the Oval Office with key Hispanic lawmakers, Obama called for a revaluation of the current deportation system. This move is seen by many to be in response to the increased public outcry from the Hispanic community against excessive deportations, typically some of Obama’s staunchest supporters.
The Debate for Immigration Reform
The President is in a very difficult spot when it comes to immigration reform, and specifically the process of deportation. Many Democrats, including the large Hispanic block, want aggressive deportations to be completely suspended. However, the Republican Party has grave doubts about Obama’s ability to manage America’s system of deportation. Furthermore, the Republicans have a somewhat pro deportation stance on the grounds that illegal immigrants take jobs away from many Americans who are unemployed and desperately looking for work. A wrong move or aggressive action on this issue could negatively impact future bipartisan discussions for the reform of the entire immigration system.
Why the Complete Suspension of Deportations is Unlikely
Those hoping for a complete suspension of deportations will likely be left unhappy. The Obama administration stated that they believe that a complete repeal of deportations would be considered an illegal act. The administration has also gone on the record stating that they will not expand the 2012 deportation deferral program for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. However, the Obama administration is hoping to still provide some sort of relief for those families touched by deportations. President Obama will be holding discussions with key Latino activists about potential immigration legislation reforms. Most importantly, President Obama has ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an extensive evaluation of the enforcement of deportation policies in America.
Deportation reform is both an immigration law and family law issue. Contact the family law attorneys here at Greenberg and Krieger, LLP in Fairfield County, Connecticut. We can answer any questions you may have about family law and parental rights in Connecticut.