CBS Atlanta TV, Channel 46

“Inger Eberhart, a board member for the pro-enforcement organization the Dustin Inman Society blasted the rally. She sent CBS Atlanta the following statement: “The first people hit by the crime of illegal immigration are some of America’s poorest, including African-Americans and many native-born Hispanics. In these desperate times of soaring unemployment and scarce resources, this vigil against enforcement of our immigration laws is a shameless and mindless affront to hard working Americans of all descriptions.”

Black Clergy: Don’t Deport Illegal Immigrants (VIDEO LINK ON BOTTOM)
Group Says Immigrants Of African Decent Targeted, Too

Written By: Rebekka Schramm – CBS Atlanta Reporter

ATLANTA — Members of the group Concerned Black Clergy rallied in front of Atlanta’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office Monday. They prayed and sang songs, denouncing America’s treatment of illegal immigrants — and not just the ones from Latin America.

“It’s about those individuals, people of color, friends in Haiti,” said Dr. Richard Cobble, the group’s president. “We’ve just gone through this thing in Haiti. People coming out of Haiti, they’re sending folks back to Haiti. They’re from South America, from Africa, from all over this world.”

The group is calling on President Barack Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of immigration reform. Until then, the group is demanding a moratorium on deportations until the system is fixed.

“Shouldn’t people who came into the country illegally be punished for that?” asked CBS Atlanta’s Rebekka Schramm.

“We will be the first to admit that there are a lot of what we call undocumented who are here,” answered Rev. Timothy McDonald of the First Iconium Baptist Church. “But why not create a path where they can become legal?”

“We don’t want criminals here,” said state Rep. Tyrone Brooks, D-Atlanta. “We want people who want to be here and be law-abiding citizens.”

“What about the people, though, who are breaking our laws every day by driving without a license and getting into wrecks and killing people. What about those illegal immigrants?” asked Schramm.

“I think the state can deal with that. I think we need to make it possible for those persons who are driving to gain a license,” responded Brooks.

Inger Eberhart, a board member for the pro-enforcement organization the Dustin Inman Society blasted the rally. She sent CBS Atlanta the following statement: “The first people hit by the crime of illegal immigration are some of America’s poorest, including African-Americans and many native-born Hispanics. In these desperate times of soaring unemployment and scarce resources, this vigil against enforcement of our immigration laws is a shameless and mindless affront to hard working Americans of all descriptions.”

An ICE spokeswoman sent CBS Atlanta this statement: “We recognize that our nation’s immigration challenges require serious solutions and are fully supportive of needed comprehensive immigration reform efforts. Until such reform is enacted by Congress, ICE will remain focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement, not sweeps or raids that target undocumented immigrants indiscriminately.”

HERE for VIDEO! (It is a hoot!)