HISPANIC CAUCUS DEMANDS A VOTE ON IMMIGRATION REFORM

Washington, DC- Today, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) filed a discharge petition in the U.S. House of Representatives to force a vote on H.R. 15, the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that currently has 200 cosponsors and was introduced by Congressman Joe Garcia. The Hispanic Caucus has been and continues to be a leader on this important issue. CHC Members released the following statements in support of the discharge petition.

“There is a growing coalition – from the high tech sector to law enforcement, from the agricultural sector to the faith community – that has been calling for action on comprehensive immigration reform. The Senate has passed a comprehensive bill and House Democrats have introduced legislation and stand willing to work toward a solution. House Republicans seem to be the only ones that are unwilling to address this critical issue and pass legislation that strengthens our economy, keeps our country safer, and reflects the contributions immigrants make to communities every day. The time for action is now, and with this petition, House Democrats are demanding a vote on comprehensive reform.” -- CHC First Vice Chair Ben Ray Luján (NM-3).

“The economic impact of passing comprehensive immigration reform is clear: we could grow our economy and reduce our deficit by $900 billion over the next two decades. Despite the moral and economic arguments and the broad coalition of support, Speaker Boehner refuses to act. His failure to lead is a missed opportunity to help our country prosper and grow. If he does not want to lead on this issue, he should at the very least allow Congress to do so. All we ask is that he allow the democratic process to work so that members have an opportunity to weigh in on H.R. 15. Every day that there is inaction on comprehensive immigration reform, more families get torn apart. The majority of the American people agree with us on this, so what is Speaker Boehner waiting for?” -- CHC Second Vice Chair Linda Sánchez (CA-38).

"In New Mexico, our economic future demands comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants have played a vital role in building our state’s economy. From 2006 to 2010, there were more than 11,000 new immigrant business owners in New Mexico who were paying taxes, creating jobs, and investing in their communities. Passing comprehensive immigration reform will build on that growth and create more than 6,000 new jobs, add $201 million in state and local taxes, and increase New Mexico’s economic output by more than $3.8 billion over the next decade. These economic benefits will have a ripple effect, leading to even greater economic activity, reduce our federal deficit, and create better wages and more jobs for all New Mexicans and Americans. We cannot afford to wait any longer." -- CHC Whip Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01).

“We must pass comprehensive immigration reform to strengthen our economy and give millions of families the security they need and deserve. It is critical that we bring people out of the shadows, unite families, and honor our American family values. The evangelical, law enforcement, business, and agriculture communities have united in support, with the only holdbacks being our colleagues who refuse to dialogue with us to address the broken immigration system. The Hispanic Caucus has had a comprehensive reform bill for over a decade, and we trust that some of our colleagues will sign the discharge petition and do the right thing.” -- Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32).

“I am signing this discharge petition because enough is enough - the American people demand a vote on comprehensive immigration reform. It’s been almost a year since the Senate passed this bipartisan package and report after report has demonstrated the economic imperative of reform. We’re demanding a vote because we’ve been saying ‘the time is now’ for too long. Action on immigration reform is overdue and I am ready to put the pressure on every member to take a stand.” -- Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46).

“The time of playing politics with immigration reform is over; it is time for us to play ball. If my Republican colleagues still do not understand just how broken our system is, I invite them to come to the San Joaquin Valley where they can look our business owners, farmers, and farm workers in the eye and hear their heartbreaking stories firsthand. I stand with them in demanding a vote, and my friends across the aisle would be wise to join us and take that same stand.” -- Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16).

“Americans overwhelmingly agree that we need immigration reform, for our economy and for our families. The argument by House Republican Leadership that we can’t pass immigration reform holds no water – if the bill were put on the Floor, it would pass. That’s all we’re asking for – a vote on comprehensive immigration reform that will provide smart border security, fix the broken visa system, and provide legal status to the 11-12 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows. That is why I signed on to the discharge petition today to demand a vote on HR 15.” -- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).

“Comprehensive immigration reform will reduce our deficit, grow our economy, reaffirm our values, advance our ideals, and honor our history as a nation of immigrants. H.R. 15 addresses immigration reform in a responsible way and overhauls the most deficient aspects of our current system. It has been almost nine months since the Senate passed its own comprehensive immigration reform legislation by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 68-32. Comprehensive immigration reform has enjoyed widespread support from law enforcement, faith leaders, the business community and the American people. Bringing this bill to the floor for a vote would be a positive step toward mending our broken immigration system.” -- Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-08).

To learn more about H.R. 15 and see a full list of sponsors, click here. To read the CBO study on H.R. 15 released yesterday, click here.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.