SEIU Statement on White House Immigration Meeting The Starting Gun Has Sounded & “This Time We Will Reach the Finish Line”

Today, President Barack Obama met with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to discuss steps for passing comprehensive immigration reform. In response to the meeting, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina issued the following statement:

“SEIU is pleased that the White House has sounded the starting gun on immigration reform and set the pace for a critical overhaul of a broken system that has languished for far too long. While it may not be a sprint to the finish, after years of delay, broken promises and political logjams, the urgency is greater than ever to make real progress.”

“The American people’s patience on this issue is wearing thin. Countless polls show that the vast majority of Americans want to see a comprehensive, workable immigration solution—not more of the same failed and costly enforcement-only policies that plagued us during the Bush Administration.

“Likewise, a politically empowered immigrant community, a unified labor movement and an ever-growing coalition of immigration advocates are stronger than ever. Through email campaigns, local actions, and rallies across the country, this vocal group of immigration reform supporters are working to hold elected officials accountable.

“Today we are living in transformational times with a President who has shown that he will not shy away from complex issues and that he will always put the needs of the American people ahead of politics. The President’s leadership on immigration is no different. At this moment in U.S. history and under this Presidency, the time has come to move comprehensive immigration reform forward.

“This time we will reach the finish line.”

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With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas and the largest union of immigrants. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers–not just corporations and CEOs–benefit from today’s global economy.

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• 5 Former Census Directors Warn that Vitter Amendment would Severely Damage 2010 Census, Cost Billions – would add a new question on citizenship and immigration status to the 2010 census.
• SEIU Members Join Thousands at U.S. Capitol to Renew Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform – Joined by legislators, thousands of workers, families and clergy call for an end to divisive, costly immigration policies that separate families, harm all workers
• 6 Months from Census, Coalition to Announce Details of Campaign to Count All Latinos in 2010 – Labor Leaders, Elected Officials, Latino Groups, Spanish Language Media and Faith-Based Organizations Join Forces to Ensure Census Achieves Accurate Count of Second-Largest U.S. Population Group
• Bank of America is accused of exploiting Latino immigrant customers – Ex-employees, backed by SEIU, say working-class and immigrant clients are urged to sign up for multiple services that carry high interest rates and fees. BofA denies any wrongdoing.
• National Launch of the Reform Immigration for America Campaign
• Seiu Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina And LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes Encourage Youth Vote
• As known anti-immigrant “hate group” lobbies Congress this week… SEIU Denounces Anti-Immigrant Hate Speech Joins Prominent Immigrant Rights Groups to Advocate for Smart, Pragmatic Reform