CAPAC Praises President Obama’s Call for a Common Sense Immigration Process

Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama spoke in Las Vegas, Nevada to outline his vision for a common sense immigration process that will benefit all Americans.  Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) responded with the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair:  “Creating a common sense immigration process will require all of us – the Administration, Congress, and the American people – to work together. We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants, and it is time for us to reconcile these facts by establishing a roadmap to citizenship for those who aspire to be Americans. Fixing our broken immigration system is the right thing to do for our national security, our economy, and our values as a nation, and I commend the President for his leadership on this issue. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I stand ready to work with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to establish a fair immigration process that honors our country’s founding principles and furthers the interests of all Americans.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Immigration Taskforce Chair: “As Immigration Taskforce Chair of the Congressional Asian and Pacific Caucus (CAPAC), I applaud President Obama for his extraordinary leadership in this momentous effort to forge long overdue comprehensive immigration reform. Yesterday, a Senate bipartisan working group released an unprecedented set of core legislative principles to resolve our broken immigration system. Today, President Obama advanced this promising and historic moment, outlining a vision that embraces our nation’s long-standing traditions for protecting all families, including same-sex partners, and accepting the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

“I offer my utmost gratitude to President Obama for calling for the reunification of all families, regardless of sexual orientation, and the elimination of discrimination in immigration law against same-sex partners. We must never forget the teachings and words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We must never cease to protect the rights, visibility, and equal treatment of the most vulnerable among us. Our nation will be made stronger through reform that is comprehensive and inclusive, humane and just.”

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU): “Comprehensive immigration reform is a top priority for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and I applaud President Obama’s renewed push to solving this critical issue. The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has become our nation’s largest growing minority community, and almost 10 percent of all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. identify as AAPI. Reforming our immigration system will require that we work to not tear apart immigrant families and provide a path to citizenship for those who are already in our country and contribute positively to our communities. We must also recognize the need to balance our tradition of being a nation of immigrants and ensuring that our borders are secure. I am hopeful that we will be able to enact comprehensive reform in the 113th Congress, and I look forward to working the Administration and my colleagues in Congress as this issue is debated.”

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08): “I applaud President Obama for putting forward a serious proposal on immigration reform. The Asian American community is a terrific example of immigrants who have made America stronger. It is crucial that we create a pathway to citizenship for law abiding immigrants who are willing take part in a rigorous citizenship process. It is also essential that as we begin to take on immigration reform that we improve the security on our borders and consider the impact that these reforms will have on small businesses. I look forward to reviewing all proposals and working with my colleagues to make sure that the final legislation strengthens our economy, makes Americans safer and helps millions achieve the American dream.”

Congressman Al Green (TX-09): “The President is right, there is a right time for all things. This is the right time for immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, which leads undocumented workers who play by the rules out of the darkness of human existence into the light of American life. This will move our great nation one step closer to a more perfect Union.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13): “I am encouraged by the momentum to address immigration reform. As a nation of immigrants we need a comprehensive plan that promotes equity and long term growth and economic well-being. I will continue to fight for a plan that strengthens families, builds the American workforce and provides a roadmap for every American that aspires to citizenship.”

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06): “There is no question that our immigration system is broken and comprehensive reform is needed.  I am pleased that the President is proposing reforms that would keep families together, strengthen our ports and borders and strengthen the economy by protecting our workers.  I believe that comprehensive immigration reform will be a top priority in this Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to see this accomplished.”

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee: “I commend President Obama for outlining his bold vision to reform our broken immigration system. The effort to bring millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and onto a pathway to citizenship, protecting families from being torn apart, is one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time. I am hopeful that Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle recognize that now is the time to come together and make the dream of immigration reform a reality.”

Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11): “We need to address in bipartisan fashion our overwhelmed and disjointed immigration system. Representing a community in which one in four residents is foreign born, I know firsthand how their success has enriched our community and our economy, creating not only greater cultural understanding but also more job opportunities for all workers. The benefits can be seen every day in our vibrant schools, neighborhoods and businesses, so I stand ready to work for long-overdue immigration reform.”

Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-14): “I applaud President Obama for advancing the dialogue on immigration reform and calling for a real, meaningful solution that meets the challenges of our broken immigration system. As the son and grandson of immigrants, my family’s story is not unlike that of millions of Americans across our great country. We are a nation built by immigrants, and we are stronger because of it. Comprehensive immigration reform is the right thing to do for our country and our future.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12): “I applaud President Obama on his plan to reform immigration policies.  We must put the 11 million undocumented workers already living in this country on a path to becoming citizens. What's more, those brought to the U.S. as children and looking to excel in our military and in higher education deserve no less. We also need to grant visas that promote entrepreneurship and STEM innovation that will provide to the economic and technological growth of this nation.”

Congressman Charles Rangel (NY-13): “President Barack Obama is committed to immigration reform and has made it his Administration’s top priority during his second term.  I hope that 2013 will be the year that Congress will finally pass legislation that will provide opportunities for millions of immigrants to pursue the American Dream.  The majority of American people support it; Democrats want it; and Republicans need it.  This is the right thing to do for the country, and now is the time. As a proud representative of a congressional district that is home to a huge immigrant population, I have been a longtime advocate for immigration reform and sponsor of the DREAM Act since it was first introduced in 2001. I am committed to supporting the President as he pushes to make the American Dream a reality for everyone in America. I thank my dear friends Senators Chuck Schumer and Bob Menendez, as well as Senators John McCain, Dick Durbin, Lindsey Graham, Michael Bennet, Marco Rubio, and Jeff Flake, for their leadership on this issue. There’s no time for partisan games; the American people want and deserve a real and lasting solution. I urge my Colleagues in the House to reach across the aisle toward serious and sensible immigration reform."

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40): “The President made it clear today that comprehensive immigration reform is his top priority and that he is ready to move forward quickly to tackle the issue. I am encouraged by the President’s words and am glad that his vision includes the principles outlined by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including an earned pathway to citizenship. As the co-author of the DREAM Act, I am hopeful that this will give some of our most talented young people the opportunity to become citizens and continue to contribute to our society. We are ready to move forward and I am glad to know the President is with us.”  

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46): “Today, key Democrat and Republican Senators are putting politics aside and are seeking to move our country forward on a viable comprehensive immigration reform plan. I’m hopeful that as the legislation is crafted, House Republicans will join their Senate counterparts and come to the table. Now is the time to act on these necessary and important reforms to our immigration system.  It’s high time that we create a fair path to legal status for the millions of undocumented immigrants in our country. Ultimately, the United States does better when we allow people to come here to work legally and to seek a better life.”

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14): “I support the President's blueprint for immigration reform--it strikes a fair balance between laws to protect our citizenry and the opportunity for others to work and live here legally through a well-defined process. Our country should welcome immigrants--individuals and their families-- who want the opportunity to thrive and succeed on our shores.  A comprehensive policy must create a tough but fair pathway to legal status for the millions of hardworking immigrants who are already here contributing to our communities, including foreign students who want to innovate here. This plan must establish legal opportunities for workers pivotal to our job market and allow families to reunite by alleviating long backlogs and recognizing same sex partnerships. Finally, the path forward must ensure that our northern and southern borders are safe and secure from foreign threats, especially drug trafficking and terrorism.” 

###
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.