GALEO Urges for a a True Solution on Immigration Rather Than a Symbolic Vote: #PassABill that provides a solution, not a symbolic gesture
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, jerry@2014old.galeo.org, 404.745.2580
GALEO Urges for a a True Solution on Immigration Rather Than a Symbolic Vote
#PassABill that provides a solution, not a symbolic gesture
December 4, 2014 [Atlanta, GA]- After 524 days of failing to take up any attempt at meaningful immigration reform in the House, Republicans have announced that in response to President Obama’s executive action on immigration, they’ll be voting today to undo the action. While the vote is largely symbolic as it would not pass in the U.S. Senate, it’s a gesture that Republicans see as a way to express their anger at the President for taking steps within his authority to fix the immigration system on his own.
However, the bill is a direct attack on millions of immigrant families and DREAMers whose lives changed because of this new program and the President’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The bill set to be voted on today was introduced by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) and it would undo both the programs initiated by the President that have and will allow millions to come out of the shadows and apply for legal status and work permits.
The President’s actions will strengthen our economy and communities. The White House Council of Economic Advisors has found that the President’s executive actions will raise average wages for U.S.-born workers and reduce the federal deficit:
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/cea_2014_economic_effects_of_immigration_executive_action.pdf]
In a pre-election poll conducted by Latino Decisions of the Latino electorate in Georgia, 57% of Latino voters thought that immigration was the most important issue above the economy and jobs (31%). Results can be found here. In another national poll that was taken on November 24th, Latino Decisions found that 89% of Latino voters support President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration (Click here for poll data), while 64% blamed Republicans for failure to move immigration reform forward. Lastly, Latino voters nationwide oppose efforts to stop President Obama’s actions by removing funding by 80%.
“Instead of passing a symbolic gesture in opposition to President Obama’s Executive Action, the U.S. House of Representatives can allow the comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate 524 days ago to come to the floor. Even U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Lawrenceville) acknowledged at a town hall meeting with GALEO this past fall, that if the Senate bill would come to the floor, it would likely pass. House leadership should quit posturing on this issue and provide the American people with a viable solution and #PassABill that makes sense, such as the Senate bill,” concluded Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO.
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