HispanicBusiness

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On September 25, 2008, Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Kennedy (D-MA) introduced legislation (S.3594) that, among other things, would enforce the protection of fundamental constitutional rights of persons wrongfully ensnared by the sweeping immigration raids Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) regularly conducts. The legislation would also ensure that persons detained through immigration raids and in deportation proceedings are afforded humane treatment and provided with necessary medical care.

The failure of legislative attempts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform has had dire consequences. Reports in the public media indicate that citizens and persons that are legally authorized to stay in the United States, in particular those of Latino origin, are increasingly caught-up in immigration raids. In addition, persons involved in immigration and deportation proceedings are too often denied basic medical assistance and are treated in ways that demonstrate an appalling lack of respect.

"The HNBA carefully monitors reports about the treatment of persons involved in immigration raids and related detention proceedings," said Ramona E. Romero, National President of the HNBA. She added that "Current ICE practices concerning raids and related proceedings are resulting in a very worrisome erosion of basic U.S. constitutional rights and do precious little to secure our borders. The exclusive focus on enforcement activities ignores our Nation's urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and is thus a case study in short-sightedness." Victor Nieblas, who chairs the HNBA's Immigration Law Section, noted that "citizens and persons authorized to stay in the United States should not be ensnared in immigration raids. Both Senators Menendez and Kennedy understand this, and we look forward towards collaborating with them to ensure the passage of S.3594."

The Hispanic National Bar Association is an incorporated, not-for-profit, national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 100,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, and law students in the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico. For more information about the HNBA, please visit http://www.hnba.com/. Hispanic National Bar Association

Web Site: http://www.hnba.com/