President Obama Urges Congress to Push Forward Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation 

WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama called on Congress to address the urgent need to fix our broken immigration system. The Asian American Justice Center, Asian Law Caucus, Asian Pacific American Legal Center and Asian American Institute—all members of the new Asian American Center for Advancing Justice—welcomed the president’s renewed push to get comprehensive immigration reform passed this year.

 

Citing the historic mistreatment of Chinese and other immigrants, the president eloquently reminded Americans that while we are a nation of immigrants, and that immigration issues have always been contentious despite the clear value that immigrants have brought and continue to bring to our country. He outlined the danger in the failure of Congress to act exemplified by indiscriminate laws like the one recently passed in Arizona which is polarizing communities. He reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform legislation that addresses backlogs for family members and provides a path to citizenship for the millions of immigrant working families.

 

“We are encouraged that the president recognizes the unfairness of laws such as the one in Arizona and has called for ‘a pathway for legal status that is fair, reflective of our values, and works,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

 

AsianAmerican Centerfor Advancing Justice applauds the president for prioritizing the tackling of this tough issue. The lack of federal action has created a vacuum that too many states have rushed to fill, creating a chaotic patchwork of local immigration laws that threaten to tear communities apart and violate the rights of minorities. The broken system is a national crisis that requires strong presidential leadership and bold action from the United States Congress.

 

“The president spoke tough on how undocumented immigrants ‘should be held accountable.’ He also is clearly seeking to find the right balance between law and order and compassion and practicality,” said Tuyet Le, executive director of the Asian American Institute.

 

Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, said: “President Obama recognized the pain that is being felt by families who are being kept separated and the stupidity of laws that do not serve our national interests. We applaud him for providing much needed moral leadership.”

 

“Like President Obama said, elected officials need to stop political posturing and solve this problem. Voters will not forgive incumbents who would rather demagogue and demonize, rather than address one of the most pressing issues of our times,” said Titi Liu, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus.

 

For more information on Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, please visit www.advancingjustice.org

 

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