Philadelphia Immigrant Community Awaits President's Immigration Reform Decision
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia immigrant community will be watching and waiting in anticipation of President Obama's Executive Order on immigration reform. In fact, there are watch parties all over the city.
Philadelphia is home to tens of thousands of immigrants, and many are holding their breath -- waiting for a decision by President Obama.
"A good announcement for us would be for Obama to end all deportations," says Peter Pedimonti, executive director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia.
That group just helped a woman under a deportation order obtain sanctuary in a West Kensington on Monday. Pedimonti says the community will join her there Thursday as they wait:
"Whatever comes out -- if it's not as broad as it needs to be, we're going to keep working."
"This day is a result of so much bravery and courage," adds Erika Almiron executive director of Juntos.
Her organization is hosting two watch parties -- one in South Philadelphia and one in Norristown. And she says nerves are on edge:
"Anticipating that half of our community will qualify for some type of protection and the other half won't."
President Obama is expected to make his announcement Thursday evening in a televised event.