The National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC)
PRESS STATEMENT
June 6, 2011
Contact Person:
Xochitl Espinosa al (877) 683-2908, ext. 4 / xespinosa@nalacc.org
Latino and Caribbean Immigrant Communities Commend Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick for Bringing an End to S-Comm in the Bay State.
Chicago, IL - Today's announcement the Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick to suspend the state's participation in the anti-immigrant federal program erroneously named "Secured Communities (S-Comm)," represents a positive step in recognizing immigrant communities, regardless of immigration status, as members of the social and economic fabric of communities throughout the Bay State and the nation.
"The hard work done by our immigrant community, led by Centro Presente and allied organizations, since the summer of 2010 has finally paid off," declared Patricia Montes, Executive Director of Centro Presente, the leading immigrant community-based organization that fought to bring S-Comm to an end in the Bay state. "Immigrant communities in Massachusetts and throughout the country appreciate and admire the courage of Governor Deval Patrick in bringing S-Comm to an end," added Ms. Montes. "As a result of this decision, we now have a good chance in rebuilding the trust that must exist between members of communities and the police without having fear of repercussion because of one's immigration status," continued Ms. Montes.
"S-Comm has sought to divide communities by advancing a false paradigm of us vs. them. Immigrant communities, especially in a state like Massachusetts, have always been an asset, especially when it pertains to the well being and progress of all residents," continued Ms. Montes. "Today's announcement should inspire everyone to seek solutions to challenges that affect everyone (native or foreign born) in which mutual understanding and harmony are strengthened. We are ALL Massachusetts, we are ALL American," concluded Ms. Montes.
" S-Comm is an example of the wrong approach taken by our federal government when it pertains to the treatment of immigrants, and it should be suspended once and for all," stated Oscar Chacon, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC), an alliance of immigrant-led organizations from around the country. " Governor Patrick's bold decision follows a similar one taken by the Governors of Illinois and New York. These represent important steps toward the detoxification of the way in which we have been talking about immigrants and immigration policy in our country up to now," continued Mr. Chacon. "If our federal government is to lead on resolving matters related to immigrants and immigration policy, President Obama must come to grips with the fact that our current law is broken, wasteful and inhumane. Blindly enforcing such a law is simply immoral," added Mr. Chacon.
"The separation of immigrant families must come to an end immediately; President Obama has the authority to make it happen. At the end of the day, our nation is in urgent need of a new alternative on how to deal with immigrants. Our leaders must come up with a new vision with policies that reflect the universal principles embedded in our nation's declaration of independence and constitution and that include the contributions of immigrant communities and the economic interests of most Americans," concluded Mr. Chacon.
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Secure Communities Deval Patrick
