Thread: New immigration group may help speed legislation

New immigration group may help speed legislation

By ALBOR RUIZ
DAILY NEWS COLUMNIST

Monday, March 19th 2007, 5:04 PM


Just last week, President Bush promised Mexican President Felipe Calderón that he would do everything in his power to help the passage of a comprehensive immigration law this year.

Bush told Calderón that he would work with the Democratic-controlled Congress to pass an immigration-reform bill. Standing next to the Mexican president in the city of Mérida during the last stop of his five-day visit to Latin America, Bush went as far as naming Sen. Edward Kennedy as one who "can get the job done."

The President's renewed commitment to push a comprehensive immigration reform bill is good news, of course. But it will not be an easy task, even with Bush's active support.

By now, everybody knows how bitter and how harsh the struggle for a fair immigration reform law can be, particularly one that recognizes - as it should - the humanity of undocumented workers and their contribution to the nation's economy.

But this year, with the creation of the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, those who favor a rational solution to the immigration crisis are in a stronger position to push their agenda in Washington.

The coalition, an umbrella group bringing together local immigrant advocates, national policy groups, labor unions, faith-based groups and ethnic organizations, is planning an unprecedented nationwide campaign. Its purpose is to support the passage of "workable comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Congress this year."

"It is pretty exciting," said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, which is part of the new group. "Pro-immigrant groups are ramping up their efforts with a high-powered lobbying team. It is all part of a national campaign."

With some $4 million in its coffers already - and working to raise more money - the coalition can afford to become a powerful player in this year's legislative debate in Congress.

"We now have the money, the people and the political will to punch this vital issue over the goal line in Congress and make America a better place to live and work, " said Cecilia Muñoz, senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza, and chair of the coalition's board.

Besides the New York Immigration Coalition, some of the other members are the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, the Service Employees International Union and the National Council of La Raza.

The new group is busy hiring experienced lobbyists from both parties, communications specialists and more field operators to supplement the resources of the members of the coalition.

According to Hong, they will be very active working with the influential New York Congressional delegation. Also, she said that an important aspect of the campaign work will be to help provide a clear direction to Congress about where to go and what to do on the issue of immigration.

"This campaign is unprecedented in the pro-immigration community," Muñoz said. "Never before have we brought together under one banner such a formidable political coalition to fight for passage of comprehensive immigration reform."

The umbrella effort began last weekend with field organizers from nearly 30 states meeting in Washington, where its main headquarters will be located.

"This is just the beginning," said Muñoz. "We welcome support from all quarters of the political spectrum, and expect to work with all groups committed to passing immigration reform this legislative session."


http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/200 ... leg-1.html

By now, everybody knows how bitter and how harsh the struggle for a fair immigration reform law can be, particularly one that recognizes - as it should - the humanity of undocumented workers and their contribution to the nation's economy.

It is a "bitter" battle. I don't care what illegal aliens "contribute to the nation's economy". It doesn't compensate for the amount of money taxpayers have to pay for their education, health care, maternity care, WIC programs, Food Stamps, and other freebies that they take for granted. The United States is a Free Country, but I am afraid that illegal immigrants take those words and literally beleive "there are free benefits for everyone.
I am against illegal immigration, and no matter how many "special interest groups" are for it, I will always resent people who come here illegally. I just don't fee like that will ever be Americans.

Sounds like they're trying to catch up. It's important that we get our most apathetic family members and friends to step up and contact their elected officials. We cannot allow non-citizens dictate our policy. If ach of us got just 5 people to contact their congressman, senators, governors and state legislators (even if they don't join FAIR, NumbersUSA or ALIPAC) we will have increased our presence by 5 times. Please sit down with those 5 people and help them send their faxes and make their calls right then and there. Just think how powerful we would be with 5 times the influence.

"We now have the money, the people and the political will to punch this vital issue over the goal line in Congress and make America a better place to live and work, " said Cecilia Muñoz, senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza, and chair of the coalition's board.

That was enough to spike the puke meter! I'm sure millions of illiterate, entitlemented illegal aliens will surely up the quality of American life.

Now is the time to get off of our rears and act!

The politicians know they’re playing Russian Roulette with this otherwise the debate over illegal immigration would have been over long ago. The illegals and their supporters may have big backing, but the politicians still fear the voters and the vengeance that would come if they were to betray the legal citizens. This point must be reinforced to them. Point out to them that there is one important vote, that is their vote on illegal immigration. Make clear the terms, secure the borders, NO Amnesty in any form and enforce current immigration laws. Assure them that their vote will determine yours.

Kennedy is the one to get the job done!! yes we know how well he did it the last time.

Cecilia Munoz has one agenda and that is to get as many of her relatives here as possible and given citizenship, that woman wants America for her people.

We have alot of work to do. I e-mailed that Frosty Wooldridge story to everyone in my address book this morning and asked them to e-mail the links at the bottom and tell congress what was listed in the article and I did not hear back from anyone, I'll bet not one did it.
How are we going to get people to see we have a real problem???People just won't get involved and its going to take numbers, big numbers!!!!