FIRM Letter to Sen. McCain

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May 28, 2010

Senator John McCain

5353 North 16th Street, Ste. 105
Phoenix, AZ  85016

Senator McCain,

As members of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), a coalition of grassroots community organizations nationwide, we ask you to reclaim your position as a champion of comprehensive immigration reform. Border security has, as you have recently re-stated, been a priority of yours, but you have also stood strongly for legalization and reforming the immigration system for workers, students and families. While much has changed since 2007, what has not changed are children separated from their parents, students unable to pursue their dreams, and workers exploited on the job. Thus, we urge you to recognize that the current direction that you have chosen is morally and politically objectionable

FIRM is vigilantly tracking the dangerous and swift trend of enforcement-only proposals that do nothing to fix our failing immigration system. Not only do punitive, anti-immigrant laws fail to address the moral crisis that is on our hands, many of them will put strains on our already hurting economy and are counter to the most cherished of American values. Solely focusing on border enforcement distracts from the deeper concern of how to fairly integrate America’s twelve million undocumented immigrants.

Historically and today, our nation has been enriched by immigration and immigrants. We urge you to re-assert yourself as the courageous and respected national leader who championed just and humane immigration reform. America cannot afford to delay the enactment of immigration reform that is comprehensive and workable and your involvement on behalf of our communities will be invaluable.

Signed,

EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC

Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director, OneAmerica

Angelica Salas, Executive Director, CHIRLA

Leeann Hall, Executive Director, NWFCO

Julien Ross, Executive Director, CIRC

Center for Community Change

Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC)

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)

Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO)

OneAmerica