End Worker Raids Now!

Albuquerque, NM - They say it's time for change now in U.S. immigration enforcement policy: concerned New Mexico groups are among thousands of people signed on to a letter to President Obama asking for drastic alterations. Jo Ann Gutierrez Bejar with the SouthWest Organizing Project says even families in Albuquerque neighborhoods feel intimidated by the presence of the Border Patrol.

"It terrorizes our community and it disrupts the lives of hard-working people. It's just really unnecessary. There's just no reason why they should be out here at all."

Gutierrez Bejar hopes the new administration will look for immigration solutions that focus on keeping families together and contributing to the economy.

"That helps the family stay together, helps the family go to work, and helps our economy in general, so it can be a win-win situation."

Proponents of current policy say it's about enforcing the law, but Gutierrez Bejar says it's more complicated than just that, with children who are legal residents often becoming the unintended victims.

More than 3,500 signatures are on the letter, asking for new policies that focus on keeping families together and implementing more humane practices in dealing with immigrants, including a stop to big workplace raids.

Eric Mack, Public News Service - NM