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LULAC Supports Bipartisan Senate Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The Nation's Premier Latino Organization Responds to Senators' Proposal

January 28, 2013

Contact: Paloma Zuleta
202-812-4477

Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senators Schumer, McCain, Durbin, Graham, Menendez, Rubio, Bennet, and Flake, put forth a framework for comprehensive immigration reform. The proposal is a positive step towards a real solution to this critical issue for the Latino community. It includes, among other things, a pathway to citizenship for the vast majority of the undocumented population not just DREAMERs and AgJobs applicants, although their process would be shorter. There is also a temporary status for the undocumented that gives them work permits, legal status, and the right to travel. Unfortunately, the proposal would put these undocumented workers at the end of the line and the line for some Visas is 20 years long. As a result, LULAC’s focus will be to support additional Visas to clear the backlog of those that are currently waiting in line and to accommodate the undocumented immigrants that can’t apply for AgJobs or the DREAM Act. We are also hopeful that as this proposal moves through the legislative process, LGBT-inclusive measures which LULAC has long supported will be added to the legislation.

“The announcement by Senators Schumer, McCain, Durbin, Graham, Menendez, Rubio, Bennet, and Flake of their agreement to a bipartisan framework for comprehensive immigration reform coupled with President Obama’s expected announcement tomorrow of immigration reform principles is a dramatic breakthrough for immigrants and our entire nation,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “At long last, a bipartisan group of Senators are putting aside the politics of division and instead are working towards solutions to our country’s broken immigration system which for too long has punished the people who pick our crops, build our homes, care for our children and provide other essential services. Comprehensive immigration reform will provide those individuals with a realistic opportunity to excel as part of our workforce in a legal and orderly manner and will serve as a positive force in the nation’s economic recovery.”

“Although we are optimistic about the proposal, there are important considerations that we need to look at as this proposal develops into legislative language, particularly as it relates to the security metrics that the Senators broadly discussed in their plan and the implementation of status adjustment procedures. Our communities cannot afford any more delays as there is much need for critical immigration reform. For instance, a short term status adjustment process in the interim might be needed to ensure that undocumented immigrants are not left in legal limbo while the security metrics and political benchmarks are developed. Security metrics must also be based on reality and the facts on the ground not on the myth and distortion that depicts border communities as prone to violence. While we may not agree with every provision of this framework, we applaud its introduction, and we pledge to work with Congress to help pass proactive immigration reform that is so long overdue,” concluded President Moran.

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future.