Immigration Law

AMERICA'S VOICE URGES GILLIBRAND TO UPHOLD NY PRO-IMMIGRATION TRADITION

By Greg Siskind

America?s Voice to Gillibrand: Uphold NY Tradition of Sensible Immigration Policy

Moving from Conservative District to Statewide Office, Appointee Must Recognize Policy & Political Demand for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009

Washington, DC ? Below is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America?s Voice in response to Governor David Paterson?s appointment of Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to the U.S. Senate:   

?Senator-designate Gillibrand of New York has a troubling record on immigration.  As a member of the House of Representatives, she supported policy proposals aimed at driving immigrant workers and families further underground without offering a practical solution to the presence of some 12 million hard working immigrants without immigration papers in the United States. 

?We understand that as a U.S. representative she represented a conservative district, but now she will be representing an entire state, which contains one of the most vibrant and dynamic immigrant populations in the nation.? She is being appointed to fill the shoes of former Senator Hillary Clinton, who as a Senator who was a strong champion of comprehensive immigration reform, and who as a presidential candidate won strong support from Latino voters.  Let?s recall that the unprecedented turnout of Latino and new American voters, most of whom rejected the GOP in part because of its stance on immigration reform, was a major factor in the election of President Obama and the expansion of Democratic majorities in Congress.  It is also worth remembering that swing voters in swing districts rejected enforcement-only candidates and support comprehensive reform with an earned citizenship component.?

?Most importantly, President Obama and the 2008 Democratic Party platform promised to tackle comprehensive immigration reform during the Administration?s first year in office.  Voters in New York, Latinos nationwide, and Democratic leadership will be looking to Senator Gillibrand to stand with the President, to stand with the Democratic Party, and to stand with the majority of New Yorkers to support practical and humane immigration reform.?

Full post as published by Greg Siskind's Blog on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).