SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
RENO, Nev. — Supporters for a Comprehensive Immigration Reform will gather in Reno to tell Congress that this is the moment for action. Thousands will march in Washington, D.C., asking for comprehensive reform that will protect workers and help with economic recovery, create millions of new taxpayers, keep families together, and protect the due process rights of all.
In Reno families and reform advocates will ask for comprehensive immigration reform in a rally in front of the Federal Building, Sunday March 21, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In Washington, D.C., tens of thousands will march demanding Congress finally fix our broken immigration system.
Last week President Obama held three important meeting related with immigration reform, one of them with key Senator Schumer (D) and Graham (R). Today both senators released the “Blueprint” of the measure that they will be working in the following weeks. “Our immigration system is badly broken. Although our borders have become far more secure in recent years, too many people seeking illegal entry get through. We have no way to track whether the millions who enter the United States on valid visas each year leave when they are supposed to. And employers are burdened by a complicated system for verifying workers’ immigration status.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.html)
President Obama praised the bipartisan immigration reform framework: “I congratulate Senators Schumer and Graham for their leadership, and pledge to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue so we can continue to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform.”
Nevada Sen. Harry Reid issued the following statement regarding the outline to overhaul a broken immigration system that senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham announced yesterday:
“Reform should require immigrants here illegally to register with the government, learn English, pay their taxes, pass criminal background checks, and pay fines and other penalties before they can go to the back of the line to seek lawful permanent residence. Reform should protect the U.S. economy and American competitiveness. It should not only safeguard the rights and quality of life of American workers, but improve their lives by raising wages and eliminating unfair competition. I am committed to bringing to the floor the bill Senators Schumer and Graham hope to introduce with White House input, when it is ready. The cornerstone of success lies in their bipartisan work”.
Mario DelaRosa, Filed Organizer for PLAN and Reform Immigration For America said “It’s not a question of whether Congress should pass comprehensive immigration reform, but when. We can’t afford more delay – it’s time to fix our broken immigration system,” and added that “this ‘Blueprint’ is fine, it is a big step in the right direction, but we want action from our elected leaders. Too many families are feeling the effects of a severe recession, and comprehensive immigration reform will put us on the road to economic recovery. We need reform now.”
Bob Fulkerson, executive director, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said, “We applaud the leadership of Senator Harry Reid, who is working hard to deliver comprehensive immigration reform for the American people.”
