For Immediate Release // Excuse Cross Postings // Please Forward
Contact: B. Loewe (773) 791-4668
Date: June 21, 2013
NDLON Reaction to Corker/Hoeven Border Militarization Surge Amendment
(Los Angeles) Pablo Alvarado, Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, issued the following statement:
“The last election was a mandate to provide equality for immigrants, not a mandate for further border militarization. It is time for Senators and the President to take a stand and to start defending immigrants and our cherished national values, rather than preemptively conceding to nativists.
“The immigration debate is not a partisan debate between Republicans and Democrats. The immigration debate is about courage versus fear. Like all other generations who fought for citizenship before them, today’s immigrants have shown tremendous bravery in the face of unprecedented hostility, scapegoating, and abuse. Those in the Beltway need to find in themselves a fraction of that courage so that xenophobes’ fears no longer drive the legislative process. Lawmakers should find ways to contribute to, rather than squander, the momentum for reform built by the immigrant rights movement.
“A peaceful movement for justice will not allow its results to be the irreversible militarization of the US-Mexico border, and we are asking Senators to vote accordingly.”
Chris Newman, NDLON legal director, added:
“It makes little sense for Democrats to capitulate to irrational Republican demands, particularly at this stage in the legislative process. Our focus should be on passing the best possible legislation in the Senate to maximize our ability to beat back the xenophobic and racist views that seem to have held the House of Representatives hostage.”
The Corker Amendment should be opposed. Meanwhile, we will continue to call upon the President to improve the bill’s chances of passing by immediately suspending deportations.”
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