Hispanic.com Speaks With Ntl. Immigration Forum About The Immigration Bill's Status

Angela Kelley, National Immigration Forum

Is there a chance the bill will come back?  I think is very possible, I don’t think the bill is dead.  There’s been a lot of work (since the bill was withdrawn) by the Democratic and Republican Senators who put it together.  The Republican Caucus meets every Tuesday.  And President Bush is coming over tomorrow to address the Republican caucus about the immigration issue.  It’s not often he does this.

He’s going to try and shake out some Republican votes.  There are also some Democrats too who are not in favor with the bill as well.  From our estimates we have 40 Democrats who support the bill, this means we need about 20 Republican votes.

…When the bill comes back, folks should stay tuned…some amendments will make it better, some will make it worse.

If this bill comes back…it will come back exactly as it left off…This week the Senate is working on an energy bill.

Rich Stolz, Center for Community Change

We should all be concerned about immigration as a community.  People need to understand what’s at stake. While a comprehensive bill is being developed in Senate, it is very important we respond with strength & send clear messages of what’s acceptable & not acceptable. Consequences of not passing the bill are several:

-It will lead to continued exploitation of certain workers

-Continued deaths of people crossing border

-It will continue keeping families separated

-It will continue putting the dreams of immigrants and undocumented workers on hold

I don’t think we should underestimate our own strength.

Next week there is a major event for children and families.  It is on June 19^th.  It’s a pro-immigration rally led by 1000s of pro-immigration activists and allies.  There will be a prayer service, then a procession to the White House and then the Senate.  It will focus on raising aware on the impact of immigration on families.

-Hispanic.com