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Press Release

Statement by LULAC President Hector M. Flores on Stalled Immigration Bill in the Senate

“This is a historic time for our country and for the Latino community and we cannot let up now”  

April 11, 2006

Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos
202-833-6130 ext. 14

LULAC National President Hector M. Flores made the following statement today in response to the compromise that failed in the Senate: 

“We are very disappointed that the United States Senate was not able to come to an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform last week especially considering that Senators had announced a bipartisan compromise on Thursday and though not perfect based on politics appeared to have the support of a solid majority of Senators. We would have hoped that with our economic security and the lives of so many immigrants at stake, that the Senate leadership could have overcome the procedural hurdles. 

What is clear is that our immigration laws still need fixing and the Senate should go back to the drawing board to work on a comprehensive bill that is rational and realistic. A delay would be a huge letdown to our nation’s hard working immigrants and to all Americans who value fairness and the integrity of our borders. Americans expect Congress to pass a bill that will strengthen our borders, provide a legal avenue for immigrants to come to the United States, and allow those undocumented immigrants already here to earn an opportunity to become legal through hard work and following the rules.

 With a broad coalition of immigrants, businesses, churches, unions and the President of the United States himself calling for comprehensive immigration reform, the Senate has no excuse for further delay. Procrastination will only worsen our immigration crisis and lead to needless pain and suffering for those who pick our food, build our homes, care for our children and economy as well as provide so many other essential services to the American people.”

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