Date: July 1, 2010
Contact: Marco Loera (626) 390-6986
(Los Angeles, CA) In reaction to today's speech by President Obama on United States Immigration Policy, Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network issued the following statement:
"As the federal government fails in its responsibility to modernize immigration laws, citizens and immigrants alike are suffering. American immigration policy is currently out of line with its national values, and the vacuum created is being filled by the likes of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Governor Jan Brewer. Comprehensive immigration reform has become a political football in Washington DC, but the terms of debate have been defined by racist politicians from the south who have demonstrated a willingness to scapegoat immigrants, destroy families, and single out communities of color for short-term political gains.
All three branches of the federal government must act: the courts must defend cherished constitutional values, congress must write new immigration laws that provide equality to this generation's Americans in Waiting, and the President must show leadership. Today, the President described the failure of existing immigration law. This is not an abstract or purely academic matter: millions of people's lives hang in the balance while the President is charged with enforcing immoral, unjust laws.
We recognize existing political constraints, but we are hopeful the President's speech is followed-up with action. In the near term, we expect immediate intervention by President to prevent a human rights crisis in Arizona from getting any worse than it already is."
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