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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On the heels of yesterday’s unveiling of a bipartisan Senate blueprint for immigration reform, President Obama today laid out his administration’s plan for overhauling the nation’s immigration system. NCLR (National Council of La Raza) welcomes the president’s aggressive push for action on this issue, which adds further evidence that 2013 is the year for immigration reform.
“The president’s announcement today is a clear indication that he intends to champion this cause, and it is certainly heartening to see him act firmly to fulfill the promise he made to the Hispanic community during his campaign,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “His announcement today, coupled with yesterday’s Senate proposal, has turned the corner on this issue, building momentum and motivating lawmakers to put politics aside and get this important work done. Both parties now agree that reform is the necessary thing to do—and the right thing to do.
“Among the most encouraging developments is that there is now consensus that a roadmap to citizenship must be the centerpiece of any viable piece of legislation put forward. Even more heartening is that the president’s plan contains a straighter path to citizenship for new Americans than yesterday’s Senate proposal. We are also very glad to see that his plan embraces the recommendations outlined by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, whose principles should be a guiding light in the debate. Specifically, we are pleased to see that the president’s platform promotes a system that respects all American families, including our LGBT brothers and sisters.
“Additionally, we want to ensure that we keep in mind the health needs of workers, children and families who stand to benefit from immigration reform, and we intend to work closely with all parties to achieve that goal. A rational solution to modernizing our immigration system and making it fair and equitable is on the horizon. We urge Washington to continue working together to make those critical changes a reality.”
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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