Archive for the ‘Immigration Reform’ Category

Wasserman Schultz demands action on immigration reform

U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia (FL-26) along with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and others call on House Republicans during a press conference to allow a vote on H.R. 15, as well as discussing what immigration reform would mean for residents in South F

Original post | 12:19 p.m.

Updated | 2:36 p.m., 3:21 p.m. and 3:33 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, pushed Monday for two key issues that could help decide how enthusiastic Hispanic voters are this year and which party they end up favoring.

At a news conference at Hispanic Unity of Florida in Hollywood Wasserman Schultz said:

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, must put immigration reform legislation on the floor of the House for a vote. She said she was delivering a simple message to Boehner. Allow the House to vote on comprehensive immigration reform without delay.

Wasserman Schultz said the immigration reform legislation is common sense and ready to go. It would reduce the deficit, strengthen the nations borders, and improve the economy and improve the lives of many people living in the U.S. She called it the moral thing to do for millions of our brothers and sisters living in the shadows.

Wasserman Schultz was joined at the event by U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Miami. He said theres no area in the United States that would benefit more from comprehensive immigration reform than South Florida.

The Florida Senate must pass a measure granting in-state tuition for state college and university students who were brought to the U.S. years ago. Wasserman Schultz ridiculed Republican Gov. Rick Scotts claim that he supports the legislation. Hes exercised exactly zero leadership, she said. This is squarely in the Republicans court and I hope they dont let the legislative session expire on Friday without taking it up and sending it to the governor.

Josie Bacallao, president and CEO of Hispanic Unity, said its an important issue for many people in South Florida.

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Wasserman Schultz demands action on immigration reform

Boehner Mocks GOP Colleagues on Immigration Reform – Video


Boehner Mocks GOP Colleagues on Immigration Reform
House Speaker John Boehner, who has said he #39;s "hell-bent" on passing immigration reform this year, mocked his GOP colleagues in an appearance in his home sta...

By: Newsroom

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Boehner Mocks GOP Colleagues on Immigration Reform - Video

Boehner mocks own party on immigration – Video


Boehner mocks own party on immigration
John Boehner opened up about what he really thinks is holding up immigration reform: fellow Republicans!

By: CNN

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Boehner mocks own party on immigration - Video

Waiting for a sign: Obama, Pinoys and US immigration reform

UNDER THE RADAR. There are an estimated 11 million people living in the United States illegally. They are fighting for legislation to legalize their status

MANILA, Philippines In a December 2013 White House press briefing, US President Barack Obama told reporters immigration reform is "the biggest thing that I wanted to get done this year. Obama admits that the system is broken.

The problem? Too many employers game the system by hiring undocumented workers and there are 11 million people living in the shadows. Neither is good for the economy or the country, read the White Houses statement on immigration reform.

As clich as it may sound, America was a country built on immigrants, with immigrants still significantly contributing to the growth of the US economy.

There are an estimated 3 to 4 million documented Filipinos and Filipino Americans living in the United States.

But despite glorification of immigrant contributions in political speeches and other media, how immigrants are actually treated is a different story. Undocumented immigrants are often portrayed now as criminals and drug addicts, and are treated as 'undesirable.'

According to Pew Research, convicted criminals made up 59% of the removals in 2013, there are at least 4,150,000 undocumented immigrants who had no prior criminal offenses.

Undocumented Filipinos

Immigration reform is not just a Latino issue. According to latest media reports, at least 300,000 Filipinos are living in the United States without proper documentation and are facing removal from the United States this year.

One measure Filipino groups are pushing to alleviate the number of deportations includes Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Filipinos. TPS would benefit over 200,000 "out-of-status" Filipinos in the US, but the government has yet to evaluate this request.

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Waiting for a sign: Obama, Pinoys and US immigration reform

The road ahead for immigration reform – Video


The road ahead for immigration reform
The Brain Trust--Esther Armah, Lisa Mascaro and Matt Schlapp--discuss the road ahead for immigration reform.

By: Alexia Silva

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The road ahead for immigration reform - Video