November 25, 2008

Washington, DC-In recent days, leaders from both sides of the aisle indicated that comprehensive immigration reform is a legislative priority for the 111th Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reassured the public that Congress will "move forward" and pass immigration reform legislation. Meanwhile, the renowned Republican strategist Karl Rove included immigration reform as part of a roadmap for the future survival of the GOP.

"Republicans must find a way to support secure borders, a guest-worker program and comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens citizenship, grows our economy and keeps America a welcoming nation," said Rove.

In fact, the lessons from this month's election are stark. An analysis by America's Voice of 21 "battleground" races for House and Senate seats found that pro-immigration-reform candidates beat enforcement-only "hardliners" in 19 of the races. "Americans voters have shown they prefer fair and practical solutions over anti-immigrant rhetoric that sidesteps the real problem," said Angela Kelley, Director of the Immigration Policy Center. Now leaders must show that they got the wake up call. Reid and Rove know that the American people are counting on Washington to offer answers that strengthen and sustain all of America's workers, families and communities, native born and newcomer alike. Immigration reform is a part of the solution for a stronger America, and one that policy-makers have to get done and get done right."  

From ImmigrationImpact.org