United Farm Workers leader to join President Obama Tuesday at White House event calling for immigration reform
Bipartisan immigration reform legislation expected on Senate floor this week
Washington, D.C. − U.S. President Barack Obama invited a small group of key immigration reform advocates, including United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez, to join him Tuesday at the White House during a public call to lawmakers in which he is seeking their support of the Senate’s bipartisan immigration bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill last week. A vote to proceed and officially start the debate in the Senate floor is scheduled for Tuesday. Reid plans to have a vote on the final passage of the bill before July 4th.
“I’m honored and proud to be part of the President’s call on the need for a bipartisan and common sense immigration reform that includes a roadmap to citizenship and a swift process for farm workers. We look forward to continuing to work with President Obama and Congress so that President Obama can sign this legislation," Rodriguez said.
The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744) was introduced by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). The proposal calls for a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country and includes special agricultural provisions, negotiated by the United Farm Workers, major grower associations, and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Rubio and Bennet.
"The Senate’s immigration reform plan is one of the most bipartisan efforts we have seen in the past seven years. We urge lawmakers to support it," Rodriguez said. "Americans want and deserve a new immigration process that will help us rebuild our economy, keep our families together and strengthen our communities."
Passage of the bipartisan immigration bill will not only generate economic benefits for the nation, it also will allow immigrant workers to focus on their jobs while caring for their families, Rodriguez said.
"We all win as a society when those who pick the fruits and vegetables that feed this nation are able to go to work without fear of deportation, improve their working conditions and reunite with their families," he added.
The UFW will be holding press conferences on Wednesday in California and Oregon this week to rally support for the passage of the Senate’s bill and invite the public to participate. More details for the UFW-sponsored events will be announced shortly.
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