By Minhaj Hassan
Staff Writer, DailyRecord.com
September 11, 2009
The New Jersey Advocates for Immigrant Detainees will hold a candlelight vigil at St. Margaret’s Church, located at 6 Sussex Ave., at 6 p.m. Tuesday to support the rights of children who may be at risk of being separated from their families because of deportations or detentions.
Morristown is a hotbed for immigration issues, given Mayor Donald Cresitello’s support for a controversial federal program that calls for deputizing police officers to serve as immigration agents. Known as 287(g), the mayor has yet to sign an agreement to put the program in place.
The church where the rally will take place, St. Margaret’s Church, is attended by many Hispanics, some of whom are undocumented.
Officials said the vigil is intended to show support for children who live in households where at least one parent is undocumented or is a legal permanent resident.
Participants will call for an end to raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, detentions and deportations because they cause children to separated from their families. The participants will share stories of being separated from their families and will call for federal immigration legislation that prevents the break-up of families
Diana Mejia, who heads the local immigrant resource center, said the 287(g) program will split families and divide the community.
“The people here in Morristown reject the idea that immigrants are to be treated like criminals,” she said. “People in our community from all walks of life are coming out in droves in support of all families who work and live in our town - with or without papers. We are all members of the same community.”
According to the American Friends Service Committee, an immigrant rights group, New Jersey is detaining some 1,000 immigrants in county jails or the Elizabeth Detention Center.
Morristown is one of 10 municipalities where an immigration reform vigil is taking place. The other towns include Bridgeton, Dumont, Freehold, Hightstown, Jersey City, Highland Park, Keyport, Montclair and Newark.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090911/UPDATES01/90911019
