PELOSI JOINS CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS
TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF IMMIGRANTS
WASHINGTON, 3.14.01 | Today Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) joined Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus at a press conference to support equitable treatment for hard-working immigrants. The Members of Congress were accompanied by religious, labor, and immigration leaders bearing more than 50,000 signatures in support of H.R. 500, the U.S. Employee & Family Unity Legalization Act.
"I commend Congressman Gutierrez and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for their leadership in addressing the needs of immigrants in this country. Now is the time to provide relief to individuals and families who have shown a commitment to the United States and have made valuable contributions to our communities and to our workforce. These hard working people should have the opportunity to reunite their families.
"America was built by immigrants, and our country continues to reap untold benefits from the energy, ideas, talents, and contributions of those who arrive in this country seeking the opportunity to prove themselves. We must ensure that our national immigration policy is framed by our rich tradition of welcoming immigrants from all corners of the globe and by the immigrant heritage that we all share. This legislation achieves that goal. San Francisco, the district I represent, is blessed with a diverse immigrant population and we celebrate that diversity. Our nation's laws should do the same," Pelosi said.
Rep. Gutierrez's legislation would change the current date of registry and, through annual revisions to the date, would enable individuals who have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years to legalize their status. The legislation has the strong support of many interfaith organizations, immigrants' rights groups, and advocates for working families.
Rep. Pelosi is a proud co-sponsor of the U.S. Employee & Family Unity Legalization Act. In the 106th Congress she was also a co-sponsor of legislation to provide equitable treatment to all Central American and Caribbean immigrants and to reinstate the family-based section 245(i) visa program.
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