Immigration conference deals with the tough questions

"Putting the cart in front of the horse is one way to describe the federal government's pursuing immigration enforcement before immigration reform, according to participants at a recent conference here.  The three-day gathering was convened in Salt Lake City by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and its Migration and Refugee Services, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC).  The aim of the conference was to inform those working in the immigration sector of current law and policy at state and federal levels as well as to equip them with the strategies needed to help the immigrants they serve and help move the immigration reform debate to the forefront of the national political discussion.  Attendees came with questions and concerns about current enforcement policies in their states, as well as clarification questions as to how these policies, such as Secure Communities, work." - Zoe Ryan, NCR, Jan. 19, 2012.