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Legislation | CIR Backgrounder | Family Backlog Backgrounder | AgJOBS Backgrounder | DREAM Act Backgrounder | Legislative Archive Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007 (STRIVE ACT of 2007) On March 22, 2007, Congressmen Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation, the STRIVE Act. (Click here for a current list of co-sponsors.) Below are select statements from CCIR partners across the country responding to the introduction of this legislation.
“The introduction of the bipartisan STRIVE Act is an important first step. It is energizing supporters of comprehensive immigration reform across the country. Immigrant workers and families are desperate for real reform.” (Click here for complete statement) “We applaud Congressmen Gutierrez and Flake for working together to create a truly comprehensive piece of legislation. While we will be working to address some of our concerns about certain provisions in the bill, it is a strong start toward the passage of comprehensive immigration reform legislation in 2007.” (Click here for complete statement) “We welcome the STRIVE Act because it jumpstarts action in Congress. This has to be the year for immigration reform, our communities, states and nation are clamoring for it.” (Click here for complete statement) “SEIU congratulates Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for stepping up to the plate to launch the first bipartisan, comprehensive immigration legislation of the year. As the debate ensues – for the betterment of our economy and our nation – let’s hope Congress will honor the contributions of our native and immigrant workers and move quickly to pass smart, practical, reforms.” (Click here for complete statement) “We know that the United States needs family reunification, an earned path to citizenship for hard-working immigrant workers, an essential immigrant worker program that protects all workers’ rights, humane and effective border and interior enforcement, and strategies for integrating immigrants fully into our communities. While the STRIVE Act is not perfect, it represents a real opportunity to turn frustration with the broken status quo into lasting solutions in the best interest of America.” (Click here for complete statement) “We welcome the STRIVE Act because it demonstrates that there is real, bipartisan movement in Congress to address the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants and American citizens, alike, are calling on Congress to put a stop to the chaos and fix our immigration system.” (Click here for complete statement) “It’s time for Congress and the President to roll up their sleeves and fix our nation's broken immigration system once and for all. The Gutierrez-Flake bill is a great place to start. If enacted as proposed, it will be the toughest enforcement bill aimed at illegal immigration in American history. It will also be the most practical reform of our legal immigration system in American history.” (Click here for complete statement) “Our immigration system should reflect our nation’s values of family, hard work, and fairness. The STRIVE Act would restore these values by putting into place the basic elements needed for any real fix to our immigration system.” (Click here for complete statement) “It will take leaders in both parties to make comprehensive immigration reform work, and Reps. Gutierrez and Flake are showing a way forward. If we work together in a bipartisan fashion like these two Congressmen, America will finally have an immigration system that serves our national interests through increased security, an improved economy and a renewal of the values that define our nation.” (Click here for complete statement) “We thank Representatives Gutierrez and Flake for their outstanding leadership in introducing legislation that establishes a legal pathway for workers to work and employers to hire them… Now is the time for all communities – and Congress and President Bush – to come together to enact immigration law reforms that do justice to the nation’s immigrant heritage and prepare us for the future.” (Click here for complete statement) "We will be studying the details of the proposal in the coming days because the details matter. We all need a workable system that balances the needs of the nation with our legacy as a nation of immigrants. It will take both parties in Congress to make comprehensive immigration reform work." (Click here for complete statement) “Every day a child is wondering if she will ever see her parents again and young children wonder if they will have a chance to realize their dreams. We are all looking for a better life and immigration reform that is just and humane is urgently needed.” (Click here for complete statement) “[The STRIVE Act] is an important step forward on the road to comprehensive immigration reform. The time is now for Congress to act, and we are heartened by the number of legislators on both sides of the aisle deeply committed to producing a realistic solution to our immigration problems. Only a comprehensive approach like the ‘STRIVE Act’ provides the right framework for a truly workable and effective solution.” (Click here for complete statement) “The bipartisan bill in the House is huge progress from last year’s absurd anti-immigrant bill that sought to make criminal felons out of millions of undocumented immigrants and anyone who helps them. The demand for reform is coming from all quarters – immigrant families want a chance to fully contribute to this country, responsible businesses want a legal workforce, American workers want a level playing field, and the public wants a solution once and for all. Let’s all get to work!” (Click here for complete statement) “I congratulate Congressmen Gutierrez and Flake for their leadership and bipartisan cooperation in addressing a problem that will have further serious repercussions on our economy and national security if it goes untreated. [The STRIVE Act] secures our borders, and by offering an earned path to citizenship, fairly addresses the millions of undocumented immigrants who already are contributing to our society by working hard and paying taxes.” (Click here for complete statement)
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