FRESNO (KMJ) — A group of valley leaders are calling on Donald Trump to make fixing the immigration system a priority of his presidency.
“For the safety of everyone in our communities, I urge that we put our shared values forward and begin work on immigration reform that works for all of us”, says Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.
She was surrounded by a coalition of well-known local figures who came together to launch the ‘California Leadership for a New American Economy’ Tuesday morning, itself an initiative of the ‘New American Economy’.
It’s one of a dozen statewide groups calling for a solution to what they describe as the broken immigration system.
“In order to keep our communities safe, we need immigration reform that helps us continue to build trust with our immigrant communities.
“Specifically, when immigrants fear that they or their family members could be caught and removed from the country, they’re less likely to report criminal activity. For law enforcement officers charged with public safety this situation creates breeding grounds for criminal enterprises, and undermines safe communities”.
The group stands for creating a solution to the immigration issue, and recognizes that the United States cannot and should not engage in mass deportations.
“You go after the ones that have broken the law, the immigrants that are here illegally, that have chosen crime as a way of life – go after them”, says former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry. “Margaret Mims has said that, everyone here has said this”.
Autry considers there to be chance to bring about change, as the issue of immigration was a large part of the Donald Trump’s campaign to be President of the United States.
“Whether you supported Donald Trump or you didn’t support Donald Trump, we have an opportunity because he made it the centerpiece”.
He adds that the newly unveiled ‘California Leadership for a New American Economy’ will speak with one voice.
“Do it right, and get it done right”.
