Immigration reform– when, and why, it’s going to happen
Immigration advocacy group America’s Voice has a new report out called “The Power of the Latino Vote,” which got some ink today in the media.
Here’s a great nugget from the report:
The growth of the Latino electorate is going to be an important factor in an increasing number of congressional races across the country, this year and beyond. Moreover, how both parties handle the issue of comprehensive immigration reform will have a serious impact on Latino political behavior.
I hope our political leaders see how interconnected immigration reform and the economy are– by bringing 12 million immigrants out of the shadows, we can stabilize wages and increase tax revenue. Plus, it’s good for Congressional leaders to be reminded of a key voting bloc’s priorities.
Last week, Faith in Public Life, in partnership with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, co-sponsored a media training for faith leaders focused specifically on immigration reform. Through sitting in on that training and hearing firsthand from pastors in Brooklyn; Phoenix; Danville, VA; Minneapolis, and a host of other places, I realized how powerful the movement for immigration reform really is.
Fixing our broken immigration system makes sense, politically, economically, and morally. And as the pastors, rabbis, bishops, and organizational heads from across the country who were in DC last week reminded me, it’s people in these congregations whose lives will be shaped by the decisions our elected officials make. Whether or not they’re able to get paid a fair wage, be reunited with their families, integrate into their community… it’s all up to our political leaders. And we have a responsibility to keep reminding them to do the right thing, and to do it soon– families are hurting.