IMMIGRATION
Standing up for the kids at vigil

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Critics of current national immigration polices will be holding a vigil in Jersey City today at 4 p.m. as part of a statewide campaign.

Sponsored by a coalition that includes the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, immigrant rights and religious groups, today's vigil be held at Bergen Avenue and Montgomery Street in McGinley Square.

Organizers argue that deporting immigrant parents of children born in the United States unfairly breaks up families. Speakers at the event will talk about how raids, detentions and deportations have affected them.

Other vigils are being held in Bridgeton, Dumont, Freehold, Hightstown, Highland Park, Keyport, Montclair, Morristown and Newark.

The event is aimed at prompting Congress to move forward with overhauling the immigration system, which they say is "broken."

It is also designed to promote the Child Citizens Protection Act introduced in January by U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., which would allow immigration judges to use discretion when evaluating the deportation of immigrants with children who are U.S. citizens.

JOURNAL STAFF