Republicans need to show some concern, urgency in solving our immigration crisis says Oregon Immigrant Rights Leader

Republicans need to show some concern, urgency in solving our immigration crisis says Oregon Immigrant Rights Leader

Salem, Ore. -- As the immigration crisis reaches an appalling new high with two million immigrants-- who are mothers, fathers, workers--deported over the last six years, House Democrats announced a new tactic to urge a vote on immigration reform. Yesterday, House Democrats put 30 House Republicans on notice—including Oregon’s Rep. Greg Walden — who have publicly supported immigration reform, yet have done nothing to move legislation for a permanent solution forward.

Below is a statement from Andrea Miller, Executive Director of Causa, Oregon’s Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization:

“Although we're encouraged by support from House Democrats who clearly want to find a solution to our immigration crisis, it is Representative Walden who needs to show Oregonians that he is advocating for our families and communities. It's time that he listens to his constituents, to listen to the majority of the country who overwhelmingly support immigration reform, and leave his partisan excuses behind.”

“Representative Walden has said before that he supports reform. Where is Representative Walden now? How long will he make our families wait, as 1,119 families are ripped apart every day because of senseless deportations?”

“In Congressman Walden’s very own district, the Ramos-Tapias Family still suffers after their mother -- a single parent and mother of three U.S. citizen children -- was deported in 2012. The oldest child of 19 had to drop out of a job training program and move back home to help take care of his younger sisters of 11 and 15.  Years later, the distress, fear and instability from the loss of their mother continues with them today.”

"The votes exist in the U.S. House to pass immigration reform today, but House Republicans are blocking it. If Congressman Walden truly supports reform and wants to show us he is on the side of keeping families together, he should sign on to the discharge petition for HR 15 or introduce his own bipartisan bill.”

“It is good to see that there’s actually some urgency in Washington--we just need to see it from the House Republicans, and it should start with Representative Walden. Doing nothing is not an option, otherwise they should be prepared for the backlash by Latino, Asian, and immigrant voters at the ballot box in 2016 and beyond."

BACKGROUND:

Immigration reform will give Oregon’s economy a much needed boost. There is a cost to House Republicans' inaction that is hurting our economy from bouncing back and recover. Immigration reform activists will continue to watch the Representative closely. Doing nothing on immigration reform is a failure of his leadership and to our country.

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Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latina and Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org