CÁRDENAS STATEMENT ON SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
CÁRDENAS STATEMENT ON SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) today released a statement, following the introduction of the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act," in the United States Senate. The legislation provides comprehensive reform in the legal immigration system, ensures the security of our national borders and creates a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers currently in the United States.
“Today, the Senate took the first step toward a critical law that will help fix our broken immigration system,” said Cárdenas. “We will make our nation safer and improve our economy, while we create a country more true to our origins. The eleven million people who are living in this nation are not simply statistics, or undocumented workers, they are human beings who see America through the same eyes as previous generations. Most Americans are part of families who started in this nation as immigrants. Our ancestors saw a place of freedom and a home where they could raise their families and today’s generation is no different.
“I look forward to the debate in the Senate, and to a robust debate in the House, to sand off any rough edges on this agreement and to make certain we make the right decisions for the future of our nation. As I have previously stated, as the son of a man who exhausted himself every day, working in the fields, I will watch discussions regarding agriculture workers with particular interest. The need for reform to our laws must not overshadow the promise and goodness of our nation. Those who toil daily to fill our tables must have a voice in this discussion, and they must be treated with dignity and respect.”
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