Several representatives from major national Latino organizations have united to announce the start of a civic engagement campaign to pressure President Obama and Congress to pass immigration reform early next year.
The Latino leaders, from organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), said they would create a ‘report card’ at the end of 2013 rating every legislator on their voting and stance on immigration reform, and will rate it on action rather than words. Brent Wilkes, Executive Director of LULAC says the campaign of leaders will also put pressure on immigration reform by writing letters, visiting Capitol Hill, and petitions.
Concurrently, a growing number of Republicans, including Senator-elect Jeff Flake and Senator John McCain, have recently made statements of support regarding immigration reform, a move seen by skeptics as an attempt to win the support of Latinos.
Latino voters went to the polls with the economy on their minds, “but immigration reform in their hearts,” says Janet Murguia, CEO and President of NCLR, who welcomes the increasing support of Democratic and Republican legislators, business leaders, and religious leaders for immigration reform.
“There is an economic, religious and moral case for immigration reform,” says Murguia.
The group of leaders announced they will continue to rally for naturalized Latinos to become citizens and vote, while holding meetings in Washington, DC with representatives and individuals on both sides of the immigration issue. Part of the process will include engaging the new members of the House of Representatives on the issue.
“Most Latinos who voted in this past election did so with the hope that Congress and the administration would agree to pass fair and just immigration reform that would allow hardworking people to realize their dream of becoming American citizens,” says Margaret Moran, National President of LULAC.
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