Immigration reform we can be proud of

By Kendra Anderson, OneAmerica Organizer

We are faced with a moral crisis in our country because of the irresponsible inaction of our federal government in the face of our broken immigration system. Not updated for decades, our current system simply does not make sense for families or businesses across the nation and in Washington State. We are penalizing hardworking immigrants who are needed for our economy to function, and we are tearing apart families who want only to be together—simply because we lack the courage to fix the underlying system to allow people to come in legally.

In light of this moral crisis, OneAmerica is working on the ground with communities across Washington State as part of a national campaign for comprehensive immigration reform including:
• Legalization and a path to citizenship for the 12 million undocumented immigrants who are here;
• Family reunification and a clearing of the backlogs of applications for those who have applied legally for their family members and yet must endure cruelly long waits to be reunited;
• Full worker protections, and
• Due process and fairness in the immigration system.

We stand united as faith leaders, union members, retired people, veterans, teachers, lawyers, and community members in solidarity with the millions who contribute both to our communities and to our economy while being denied full access to either.

In fact, numerous reports show that immigrants, including those who are undocumented, not only make a substantial contribution to our economy, but could help lift us out of the recession. The Center for American Progress estimates that passing comprehensive immigration reform that includes creating a pathway to legal status for unauthorized immigrants would yield at least $1.5 trillion in cumulative U.S. gross domestic product over 10 years. And in 2009, here in Washington State, the purchasing power of Asians totaled $16.6 billion and that of Latinos $13.4 billion, the Immigration Policy Center reports.

Our leaders in Washington, D.C. continue to do nothing. Both President Obama and the Republicans propose enforcement-only or “secure the border first” strategies that are wasteful, that do not make us safer, and that cost lives. A comprehensive immigration reform bill has been introduced in the House, but leaders there are waiting for the Senate to move on a bill discussed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham last spring. And like families across the country, we keep waiting.

But we’re also taking action. Early this year, OneAmerica helped launch the Washington Immigration Reform Coalition (WIRC) FOR America, more than 60 organizations, representing unions and faith communities across the state, working together to pass national reform this year. WIRC has marched in the nation’s capitol, held rallies across Washington State, met with key congressional members, collected thousands of petition signatures, and engaged in civil disobedience actions in downtown Seattle.

And the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans is playing an active part in our success.

To get involved with WIRC in upcoming actions for immigration reform across the state, please contact Kendra@weareoneamerica.org, Join us as we keep fighting for immigration reform we can be proud of.

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