1/7/2004 - STATEMENT OF RAUL YZAGUIRRE, NCLR PRESIDENT ON THE PRESIDENT’S IMPENDING IMMIGRATION ANNOUNCEMENT

STATEMENT OF RAUL YZAGUIRRE, NCLR PRESIDENT ON THE PRESIDENT’S IMPENDING IMMIGRATION ANNOUNCEMENT

[Washington, D.C. — Raul Yzaguirre, President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation’s largest national Latino civil rights organization, made the following statement today in anticipation of the announcement on immigration reform which President Bush will make at the White House on Wednesday.]

President Bush will make a major announcement on the issue of immigration reform on Wednesday, January 7, 2004. This issue has long been a major priority for the nation’s Latino community. As such, we will pay close attention to the President’s words and, more importantly, the actions of his Administration.

More than two years ago, I testified before the U.S. Senate that NCLR welcomes a debate on immigration reform, and articulated a set of principles that such reform should follow in order to be effective and earn the Latino community’s support. NCLR has long been on record arguing for comprehensive reforms that truly get to the root of the causes of undocumented immigration, legalize the people who are already here, and minimize future flows of undocumented migrants. Any serious legislative effort must include: 1) an earned adjustment through which undocumented immigrants who can prove they have lived and worked in the U.S. and pass extensive background checks can receive permanent legal status; 2) a reduction in the family backlogs; and 3) the creation of legal channels for future flows of immigrant workers which include strong labor and wage protections, as well as a path to legal permanent status.

NCLR has been clear in this debate with members of both political parties: we seek comprehensive reforms, not political posturing. While we do not yet know what will be included in the President’s announcement, we are mindful of the fact that the White House has been silent on these issues for more than two years. The announcement of principles – not legislation – at the beginning of an election year in which Latino voters will be pivotal suggests that this initiative is more about politics than policy. As we have said many times to officials on both sides of the aisle, we will take dim view of words if they are not accompanied by action.

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