Napolitano underlines immigration changes

With the Obama administration facing growing criticism over its lax approach to immigration, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano tried to assure that the White House hasn’t ignored immigration.

While speaking at an El Paso conference of law enforcement chiefs, Napolitano (image) tried to differentiate Obama’s approach to immigration from that of his predecessor. She claimed that the Obama administration was taking “a common-sense, comprehensive look” at immigration policy including changes to the controversial 287 (g) program that deputizes police as immigration agents. She also emphasized the need for a bilateral approach with Mexico to tackle immigration and combat drug-related violence including spending an additional $30 million “to support security measures” along the border.

Napolitano’s claimed policy changes have been insufficient to those on both sides of the immigration debate. Take the 287 (g) program:

"If I'm told not to enforce immigration law except if the alien is a violent criminal, my answer to that is we are still going to do the same thing, 287g or not," Joe Arpaio, an Arizona sheriff, told The Wall Street Journal last month.

Some Hispanic advocacy groups say that 287g still gives police too much power, essentially giving them a green light to racially profile.

Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said she had hoped the Obama administration would do away with 287g altogether.

It may be understandable that Obama doesn’t wish to make any major changes since immigration is such a hot-button issue. Yet there’s a big need for reform and the baby steps listed by Napolitano are far from enough.

Image- AFP
Online Sources- Department of Homeland Security, Christian Science Monitor, The Latin Americanist, Washington Post