Re “New Paterson Policy May Reduce Deportations” (front page, May 4):

As co-chairwomen of the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform, we commend Gov. David A. Paterson for his bold decision to appoint a state panel with the power to pardon legal immigrants for old or minor criminal convictions, thus preventing their deportation.

Too often, our current immigration laws wreak havoc on the lives of immigrants who are making a contribution to our society. We need comprehensive reform legislation to fix our broken system, but in the meantime, we are grateful to state officials like our governor who seize the opportunity to make our country more just and humane.

Annie Rawlings
Diane Steinman

New York, May 4, 2010

The writers are, respectively, associate executive presbyter for social witness, Presbytery of New York City; and director, American Jewish Committee, New York.