The voice of reason influencing policy to improve US/Mexico relations
"Immigration is the story of American history"

senator kennedy "Immigration is the story of American history. From the earliest days of our nation, generation upon generation of immigrants has come to be part of a land that offers freedom and opportunity to those willing to do their part. Immigrants built our great cities. They cultivated our rich farm lands. They built the railroads and highways that bind America from sea to shining sea. They erected houses of worship to practice their faiths. They fought under America's colors in our wars...Immigrants worked hard so that their children could embrace the ever widening possibilities in our land. And over the centuries, immigrants came to America from every part of the globe and made the American dream. They created a nation that is the envy of the world."

-Senator Edward Kennedy, urging lawmakers to support comprehensive immigration reform, in 2006

Since his death last week, references to Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy's legacy have overwhelmingly revolved around health care and civil rights, causes he championed for decades. Lost in the swirl has been his other great life-long passion: immigration.

A Friend to Mexico

Of particular note to us at MATT was Kennedy's life-long commitment to Mexico, and to fostering prosperity and understanding between our two nations. Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan released a statement about the late Senator's influence and leadership on many important issues, including immigration, praising Kennedy for being a true friend to the people of Mexico. In his statement Sarukhan reflected:

"...Senator Kennedy sponsored and promoted countless initiatives in favor of millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans that live and work in this country. At the same time, at the international level, he was always a staunch supporter of deepening and widening the bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States, always showing a strong friendship for our country...

Senator Kennedy fully recognized that immigrants were not a burden to this country, but rather contributed to the economic well-being and vitality of the United States. For that reason he firmly believed that the solution to the many challenges posed by immigration is a comprehensive reform that would include, among other things, a fair, legal and orderly way for undocumented migrants to adjust their status and introduce adjustments to the system so that it would better respond to labor market needs, while reintroducing the circularity in the flow of workers that had been lost over the past few years...

For all he did for Mexican-Americans, Mexicans and Mexico, he will be sorely missed on both side of the border and remembered as a true friend of our country.

Read the Ambassador's complete statement here and comment on our blog.

Kennedy's Immigration Legacy

In 2005, Kennedy teamed up with Republican Senator John McCain to author a comprehensive immigration overhaul. While the bill failed to pass, Kennedy continued to fight for the cause until the day he died.

The immigration measures that Kennedy helped shape over his forty years in office include:

* 1965: Immigration and Nationality Act reversed forty years of low immigration under a system that favored Europeans by eliminating discriminatory "national origin" quotas. Bill also encouraged family reunification by extending immigration options to relatives of citizens and legal immigrants.
* 1980: A bill established a system for refugee resettlement in the U.S., tripling the number of people who would qualify.
* 1986: A bill legalized an estimated 2.7 million people living illegally in the U.S. and penalized employers who hired undocumented immigrants.
* 1990: A bill allowed for more immigrants and more high-skilled workers.

Act Now

This is the last week members of Congress will have in their home districts before they return to DC. Don't forget to send your representatives a message asking them to honor Senator Kennedy's legacy by passing comprehensive immigration reform this year.

Sincerely,
Aracely Garcia Granados
Executive Director, MATT

"Senator Kennedy helped change the character of the immigration system, and indeed the country, bringing the United States a step closer to its founding ideals of fairness and opportunity for all."

-Doris Meisner, former Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service

MATT Foundation 329 Old Guilbeau St, San Antonio Texas, 78204.
© 2008 matt.org