Today, the White House will meet with key grassroots leaders, legislators and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to discuss immigration reform. With the massive March For America only a handful of days away, it’s clear that lawmakers are feeling the increased pressure to show concrete action towards comprehensive immigration reform.
From Clarissa Martínez De Castro, Director of Immigration and National Campaigns at NCLR:
“For the president, the pressure is on and the need is great. Latino voters are demanding accountability. We want to see concrete action and a commitment to moving forward on legislation before the November elections—and not just another meeting to discuss the issue or check the box saying that the president is serious about immigration reform.”
As frustrations have mounted with inaction on the issue in Obama’s first year in office, recently grassroots leaders have decided that enough is enough.
What advocates are asking is whether these meetings will lead to concrete action– in advance of the culmination of these grassroots efforts in the March 21st “March for America.” On March 21st, tens of thousands of Americans will stand up to demand prompt action on comprehensive immigration reform and a fairer economy for all workers. It seems this increased activity and frustration is being heard. (via America’s Voice)
From Frank Sharry, the Executive Director of America’s Voice:
“Politicians in Washington seem to be afraid of the immigration issue, but what they don’t get is that the American people are fed up with politicians who fail to deliver real results. Voters want Congress to pass an immigration reform law that requires immigrants in the U.S. illegally to register and pay taxes on their way to becoming full citizens, which is a fairer and more practical solution than pretending we can actually deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. It’s time for politicians in Washington to wake up. The immigration issue is not going to resolve itself, it will take leadership, and the time for action is now.”
We are ready for concrete actions towards passing immigration reform before the 2010 midterm elections. Change takes courage: Congress should have the courage to overcome bipartisan politics and do what is right for families, for workers and for our economy.
Categories: Civil Disobedience, March For America, Washington DC, comprehensive immigration reform
Tags: comprehensive immigration reform, March For America, Washington DC
