For Immediate Release:  May 27, 2010 

Enforcement Only Without Reform is a Failure

Republicans and Democrats must join forces to set forth a comprehensive solution

Los Angeles –The U.S. Senate voted down today three enforcement-heavy amendments presented by Senators McCain (4214), Kyl (4228), and Korning (4202).  All three amendments were attached to the must-pass Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, HR4899.  The following is a statement from Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a regional human and immigrant rights not-for-profit community-based organization based in Los Angeles.

“Today we have witnessed a dysfunctional Senate play politics once again with entire families and communities instead of debating the merits of humane and workable immigration reform legislation. Enforcement-only measures without reform are destined to fail.

It is an outrage that our nation’s leaders have chosen paralysis and theatrics over results and justice on the issue of immigration reform.  Even senators who represent large immigrant states (e.g. Boxer and Feinstein) and who should know better caved in to the demands of the rancorous, fearful, and pessimist few. 

We applaud the efforts of champions for the American people, including Senators Reid, Menendez, Schumer, and Durbin.  Their tenacity in fighting for what is just and fair and defeat what is knee-jerk politics at its worst has clearly made it possible for us to win a victory today.  Let the President, the Senate, and the House begin to do the people’s business and deliver on your promise to put an end to the suffering, the persecution, and the dehumanization of an important sector of the American electorate.”

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The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) was formed in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees in Los Angeles, promote harmonious multi-ethnic and multi-racial human relations and through coalition-building, advocacy, community education and organizing, empower immigrants and their allies to build a more just society.