Interfaith Group Calls for Immigration Reform

The Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network or PIIN held a vigil and protest outside of the Allegheny County Jail today—about 30 people gathered to raise awareness about racial profiling and to urge national and local lawmakers to reform immigration law. Jenaro, an immigrant from Mexico is asking legislators to let immigrants like himself work in the US. He is currently being held at the jail and faces deportation. Freda Alice is a member of PIIN and says the immigration reform is a win-win for the US, which she says could benefit both economically and socially by keeping families together. President of PIIN, Reverend John Welch says that the organization will continue to fight to end the practice of local law enforcement acting as Immigration and Customs officials during traffic stops. He says the issue is relevant in Pittsburgh, a city originally made up of immigrants.