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Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

The recent demonstrations by immigrant workers and their families insisting on fair treatment signifies an exciting and increasingly critical moment in our country’s history. The immigrant community has mobilized in droves against the attempts of Congressional leaders to create a climate that condones the denigration of human rights, and we vow to join them in these on-going efforts.

In response, the immigrant community is pushing back, organizing a mass lobby day in Washington on May 17th, launching a voter and citizen mobilization effort on July 1st, coordinating more regional demonstrations on Labor Day, and following that up with voter turn out efforts through Election Day. “We need comprehensive reforms that ensure workers’ rights and dignity for all,” said Fred Azcarate, the executive director of Jobs with Justice.

Immigrant workers make an invaluable contribution to the US economy, encompassing a large percentage of the labor force. While improving our immigration system, we must keep in mind the principles on which this country was founded. We are a nation of immigrants. For hundreds of years, people seeking refuge from poverty, starvation, persecution and war migrated in hopes of a better life. The same is true today. Even as we enjoy material comforts here in the U.S. we are connected to the billions of people who live under dire conditions around the world. It is just these conditions that force so many people to make the difficult decision to leave their families and homes.

The immigrant community has not come to this moment lightly. This is a response to brutal attempts in Congress and in local government to suspend and further erode the basic human rights of immigrants. We are proud to stand with every worker and student who chooses to continue to participate at whatever level they are able to and we will continue to stand with every community member on May 17 th and beyond.

Particularly, Jobs with Justice local coalitions across the country will stand in solidarity with demonstrators, and we will not tolerate any worker intimidation or firings in response to immigrant attempts to win dignity and respect in the workplace. Taking the lead from our organizational partners within the immigrant rights movement, we will continue to struggle for legislation that ensures maximum worker protection and fight for better worker standards everywhere, calling for comprehensive immigration reform that creates a plan for legalization for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Our country is only strong when the rights of everyone who lives, works, contributes to the economy and to our culture are realized and protected.

For updates on the different immigration policies being debated in Congress, please visit websites of some of our allies on the tools & resources page who track this legislation regularly.