SEIU – The Week In Immigration Reform

FROM THE SEIU WEBSITE: MARCH 12, 2010

Yesterday, SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina joined other labor, faith and immigrant rights leaders for a meeting at the White House on next steps for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. President Obama spent over an hour with the group, carrying out a lively and open discussion about how to move immigration reform forward.

“Today’s meeting is yet another reminder that comprehensive immigration reform remains a key priority for the White House. It’s also a reminder that we need more than just the White House and Senators Schumer and Graham to get this bill done,” said Medina in a statement.

During the meeting, the President made clear that importance of garnering greater GOP support in order to push the bill to the Senate floor.

“Just days away from a massive mobilization of labor and diverse immigrant rights activistsfrom across the country, the time is now for Senators on both sides of the aisle to step on the gas and push for smart immigration reform that America needs. That means it’s time for Senator Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader John Boehner to join with us in passing reforms that are good for immigrants, good for workers, and good for America,” continued Medina.

“This is Congress’ time to, in the President’s words, ‘overcome the numbing weight of our politics.’ For the good of our economy, of America’s workers, and of our country, it’s time for the Senate to step on the gas. It’s time for them to roll up their sleeves and get immigration reform done right, get it done quickly and make sure it works for America.”

Read Medina’s full, statement. And read coverage of the meeting in the Associated Press, New York Times, MSNBC, and The Hill.

Especially as the topic of immigration legislation heats up in Washington, it is critical to make March 21’s immigration mobilization a huge success. This is the time to create the momentum and urgency for comprehensive immigration reform.

SEIU – Service Employees International Union – The Week In Immigration Reform.