For Immediate Release

Contact: Marisa McNee

May 17, 2007

Coalition acknowledges hard work, calls on Senate to keep working to achieve realistic comprehensive immigration reform

Washington, DC – Today, the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) recognized Senators of both parties for their efforts to reach an agreement that will launch a debate on comprehensive immigration reform, one of the most pressing issues facing the country. This is an important development in the debate, and while it is essential that this debate move forward, the Coalition has deep concerns that the proposed system for future migration is unworkable, inconsistent with deeply held American values and must be fixed in order to win its support. The Coalition sees the agreement as the point of departure from which the Senate must work to achieve the type of system America needs – one that rewards work while protecting workers, honors families, restores the rule of law, and strengthens our economy.

“The members of the Coalition have a common purpose: to achieve an immigration reform bill that truly addresses the needs of the nation. This agreement is a step in that direction; we see the process that follows as an opportunity to ensure that the Senate addresses profound problems with the structure of the proposal that cause us deep concern,” said Clarissa Martinez, Campaign Manager for CCIR. “We will work constructively with members of both parties to improve the bill, so that what emerges as the final product is legislation that truly serves the American people and the ideals of our nation.”

“By dealing with the issue of legalization and a path to earned citizenship for immigrants working and contributing to our society, Senators have acknowledged how essential this is to restoring the rule of law, enhancing security, and above all, promoting human dignity. However, as much as we applaud legalizing millions of deserving undocumented workers, we cannot do so while at the same time creating a revolving door of second class temporary workers who have no chance to earn citizenship” said Tom Snyder, National Political Director of UNITE HERE.

“As the process moves forward, we look to the leaders of both parties, next week in the Senate and next month in the House, to exercise the leadership necessary to deliver legislation we can fully embrace,” said Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director for the Center for Community Change. “Now they must turn to the other issues that will make reform complete and ensure that the structure of our nation’s immigration policy in the future is better than what we have now. To accomplish that, we must address provisions in the agreement that currently would split families apart, create a permanent underclass of exploited workers without basic rights, and undermine due process of law. We will work together in a bipartisan way to get there, and will assess final legislation in accordance to how it fulfills those critical goals.”

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