Apr 9, 2009
President Obama is rising to the occasion and demonstrating leadership on this issue that vexes the American public. It will be up to Congress to follow his lead and make it happen. We stand ready to work with all of our elected leaders to enact this long overdue reform...
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Last Night Sheriff Joe Arpaio finally got what he's been asking for: an investigation by the Department of Justice. Today Representative Conyers and other members of the House Judiciary Committee join civil rights leaders to endorse a major petition delivery, listen to testimony, and call for an end to...
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In an interview with NPR yesterday, I lay out some of the pitfalls of local immigration enforcement in the absence of federal solutions. The 287-g program, taken at its worst, breeds the likes of Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. The issue for many local sheriff offices is,...
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It's been a good while now since we announced that the confirmation of Hilda Solis (D-CA) as Secretary of Labor had been postponed. We reported on how the administration had to appoint an interim secretary because the pro-worker, Latina representative's confirmation was being blocked by partisan bickering. Well, today...
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Just last week, Senator Ensign stated: "We have to reach out to Hispanics. " Rather than lend a helping hand to children in need, however, Senator Ensign had scathing remarks for immigrants in today's SCHIP debate. Via the AP: "We are giving more incentives to folks to come to...
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Jan 13, 2009
This week the House is will vote on reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the Senate Finance Committee will take up much-needed companion legislation to help more Latino and immigrant children access health care. Besides being the right thing to do, and even the fiscally responsible...
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Dec 15, 2008
On Election Day, the American people hired leaders they believe will tackle and solve tough problems. They fired politicians who cover up inaction and ineffectiveness with slick sound bites and punchy slogans. The public wants action �- and results � on a range of tough issues. Of course, economic...
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Dec 5, 2008
Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, had a thorough piece in today's Chicago Tribune on just what derailed the GOP this election. "As the Republican Party surveys its post-election train wreck, the pain must be even greater knowing that, with Hispanic voters,...
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In an interview published in Gannet News Service over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke candidly of plans to both address and pass immigration reform legislation in the 111th Congress. Reid told Gannett News, "On immigration, there's been an agreement between (President-elect Barack) Obama and (Arizona Republican...
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First things first, kudos to the President-elect on his likely pick for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If Napolitano's likely appointment to Secretary of Homeland Security is anything, it is a welcome departure from business as usual at DHS. It is a chance for a courageous...
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