With this week’s major announcements on immigration from a bipartisan group of Senators and President Obama, momentum has never been stronger for immigration reform.
We welcome the announcement that Republican and Democratic Senators are prepared to move forward with legislation that includes a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans currently residing in the United States.
We look forward to legislation that would fully integrate neighbors who are Americans in heart and contribution – who are Americans in every way but on paper. We affirm the framework’s recognition of the important role immigration plays in the U.S. economy and in the fabric of families and communities across the United States – and therefore the positive effect new immigration laws will have on us all.
The time is now to create common-sense immigration laws that make sense for our communities, families, businesses, and future. The time is now to create laws that live up to our values and end senseless detentions and deportations that daily separate families in our country’s name.”
As the President noted, it is also time to bring our immigration system into the 21st century. Our immigration laws are so outdated that nearly everyone knows someone who is affected, whether it is a family member, spouse, child, friend, business owner, or colleague; we work together, build community together, raise our children together.
We are excited to work closely with community members, members of Congress, and President Obama to realize the promise of full citizenship for all Americans.