Virginia Organizing applauds President Barack Obama’s announcement to extend deferred action consideration for additional immigrants working and living in the United States.

“The President’s announcement means that the undocumented parents of certain citizen and legal permanent residents will be able to live without fear of being ripped apart from their children through deportation,” said Virginia Organizing Chairperson Sandra A. Cook. “While Virginia Organizing is excited that President Obama is using the constitutional powers of his office to protect families, this action does not change the fact that Congress needs to work together and enact bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform with a clear path to citizenship for our immigrant neighbors.”

“Let’s be clear; this is relief, not reform,” said Linda Peña of the Virginia Organizing South Hampton Roads Chapter. “We appreciate relief, but we need reform that is comprehensive and inclusive of all undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.”

Virginia Organizing has been lifting the stories of immigrants through actions across the state that includes rallies, vigils, protests, and visits to the local and national offices of members of Congress. In June, five Virginia Organizing leaders were arrested for protesting the inaction of the U.S. House of Representatives and specifically, the obstruction of immigration reform by House Speaker John Boehner.