Senate Passes the Buck on

Immigration;

Coalition Kicks Off

Accountability Campaign

July 11, 2007             
                                                                                  
Washington, DC – Today, the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) announced the first phase of an accountability campaign designed to hold federal elected officials accountable to public demand for immigration reform.  The first phase of this campaign includes print ads in multiple ethnic newspapers across the country and in DC’s Roll Call.  The ads provide constituents with a visual account of the vote that closed the door on immigration reform in the Senate last month.  CCIR is partnering with local groups to expand ad circulation to additional markets.

“We want members of immigrant communities and those who care about reform to know exactly who is and who is not on their side,” said Clarissa Martinez, CCIR Campaign Manager.  “When 53 Senators turn their backs on one of the most pressing issues facing the country, you can’t just pack up and go home.”

The initial round of ads will run in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese in California, Texas, New York, and Illinois, and in English in the Capitol Hill daily Roll Call, with another wave coming shortly.  In addition, CCIR is working with its network to continue the fight for reform, support efforts to help eligible immigrants attain citizenship, and increase political engagement on this issue.  CCIR expects that as state and local governments enact a patchwork of initiatives targeting immigrants over the next months and years, the detrimental consequences for immigrant and sister communities will multiply and the outcry for reform and accountability will intensify.

“Communities across the country will not forget,” Martinez continued.  “Whatever excuse Senators gave for not supporting an overhaul to our immigration and border security system, in effect they passed the buck to state and local governments and now we will all pay the price of their inaction.”

The American people will continue to demand a workable and fair solution that restores the rule of law, secures our borders, strengthens our economy and upholds the values of faith, family and hard work that are the cornerstone of our democracy.  But in immigrant and Latino communities, the response is already visible.

“We are seeing a response in immigrant communities, particularly legal immigrants, who have been shaken by the tone of this debate,” added Martinez.  “Rather than just feel sad or mad, this community is turning to citizenship in record numbers and those numbers will materialize in increased voting to make its voice heard.  Similarly, Latino voters, whether foreign or native born, are disturbed by the anti-Latino tone of some of the recent debate.    Employers, faith leaders, local elected officials, and others are also reexamining how they can make their support for reasonable and effective immigration reform known to lawmakers in both parties.”

###
 
The Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) is a campaign powered by the strategic, coordinated activities of immigrant advocacy, civil rights, faith-based and labor organizations across the United States and Capitol Hill.  Our central purpose is to achieve passage of workable comprehensive immigration reform legislation that serves our nation.