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Ohio Immigrant Families to Sen. Rob Portman: Do Your Job

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This Saturday in Lorain, immigrant families will be joining with local officials and community members at an mid-day meal to highlight how certain federal policies—Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—would help Ohio families and children.  Senator Rob Portman has declined an invitation to attend the “DAPA Dinner” and learn about the lives of over 35,000 Ohio immigrants and their families who would be eligible for deportation deferral, work permits, and state driver’s licenses under the DAPA and expanded DACA policies.

One might assume that Sen. Portman declined the invitation due to a busy schedule.  But back in Washington, Portman is busy NOT doing his job.  In the wake of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing, Senator Portman has been quick to come out against filling the court’s vacancy this year.  In fact, Senator Portman doesn’t even plan to meet with the designated nominee, despite the President’s clear Constitutional right to nominate a candidate and the Senate’s obligation to take a vote.  Despite criticism from both the Toledo Blade and Columbus Dispatch editorial boards, Portman has not backed down from his partisan, politically-motivated stance.

According to a new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Ohio’s undocumented immigrants are already paying millions of dollars in state and local taxes every year, and their contributions would grow by nearly $10 million if DAPA and DACA are fully implemented.

Said Lynn Tramonte, Director of Ohio’s Voice, “Ohio immigrants show up to work every day and contribute to our state in numerous ways.  Yet Senator Portman won’t even take two hours to come listen to their stories and learn about their lives.  Senator Portman is not doing his job on the Supreme Court vacancy, and he’s not doing his job when it comes to his constituents.  Ohioans expect our leaders to show up for work, not just run for re-election.”

The “DAPA Dinner” dinner will take place on February 27, 2016 at noon in Lorain, Ohio.  LOIRA members will cook and serve traditional Mexican dishes to their community of supporters, local leaders, members of the media, and other members of the public.  Additional details are available here.  A copy of invitation sent to Sen. Portman is available here.

Saturday’s event is part of a nationwide “DAPA Dinner” campaign that invites all 2016 candidates, Senators, and Members of Congress to join an immigrant family for a meal. Learn more about the DAPA Dinners campaign and other candidates who have participated here.

Ohio’s Voice is a project of America’s Voice.