Radio spots back law reform

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- In 30-second radio spots, Iowa's women religious have urged people to support a comprehensive reform of immigration laws. The message asks listeners to contact their senators and representatives in Washington "to urge immediate action for just reform."

The radio spots were produced through Sisters United News, an agency of 12 congregations of women religious working in Iowa. The spots were motivated by the December raids at meatpacking plants in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Utah in which hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants were arrested. The spots ran on eight stations in five Iowa cities Jan. 10-16.

"Most Americans have compassion for suffering people. Yet some turn a cold shoulder to the anguish of undocumented families.... To demonize people who are only seeking a better life for their children is to focus on one small piece of an immigration system in need of a major overhaul," said the radio message.

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