Jewish groups back comprehensive immigration reform

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

This afternoon on Capitol Hill, two influential Jewish organizations announced the merging of campaigns stating that immigration raids are not a substitute for immigration reform.

Gideon Aronoff, the President and CEO of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society said that the campaigns, “The Progress by Passover" and “We Are Strangers, Too” support comprehensive immigration reform.

“This campaign will seek to further engage the Jewish community around the country in increased advocacy and increased direct service for newcomers in our communities,” stated Aronoff, and that the collaboration is “just the beginning.”

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said that the high cost of becoming a naturalized citizen and harsh immigration laws unnecessarily separate families.

“This can’t be done piecemeal,” Schakowsky said. “We need to do it as part of comprehensive immigration reform. I believe that now we are poised to do just that.”

Schakowsky said there should be enforcement of reasonable immigration laws and that the U.S. should allow law abiding illegal immigrants, who are willing to pay fees and learn English, a clear path toward citizenship.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) agreed, stating that the support of comprehensive immigration reform comes from the Jewish community because they understand that “the system is broken.” Nadler said that not only do documented and undocumented aliens live in fear of improper law enforcement, so do American citizens.

“It is time to bring people out of the shadows, to unite families, and to provide simple due process of law in accordance with American traditions. It is time to reaffirm our nation as one which welcomes immigrants as it is so wonderfully symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in my district,” Nadler said.

Obama Administration Needs To Work With Latin America

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

Sergio Bendixen, President of Bendixen and Associates; Dr Cynthia McClintock, Professor of political science and international affairs, and director of the Latin America and Hemispheric Studies Program at George Washington University, Eric Farnsworth, Vice-president of the Council of Americas and Ray Walser, senior policy analyst for Latin America in The Heritage Foundation's Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy studies, gave testimonies today before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

The witnesses created a lot of attention, with people lining up outside to hear the testimonies on "U.S. Policy Toward Latin America in 2009 and Beyond".

Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), said: "You can tell by the way the room is filled today the interest in the Western Hemisphere".

Subcommittee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) opened the hearing by welcoming Congressman Connie Mack (R-FL) as the committee's new Ranking Member and then outlined some positive steps he would like the Obama administration to pursue.

"First and foremost, I believe that President Obama's participation in April's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago would send an extremely positive message to the heads of the state from Latin America, to the Caribbean. Second, as Chairman Berman moves forward with foreign aid reform and the Obama administration prepares its FY 2010 budget, it is essential that we increase funding for countries in the Western Hemisphere...Third, cooperation between the US and Brazil significantly expanded during the Bush Administration. This relationship needs to be further deepened under President Obama...Fourth, we must continue to support our friends in Mexico through the Merida Initiative...Fifth, I would urge President Obama to focus on Ecuador and Paraguay...and sixth, we must continue to support disaster recovery efforts in Haiti", Engel said.

Chairman Engel then went on to discuss the attacks in a synagogue in Caracus, Venezuela.

"On Monday, I sent a letter, along with 19 of my colleagues, to President Chavez urging him to end the bullying and harassment of the Jewish community in Venezuela and to extend the community the robust protection it deserves in light of the threats it faces. The Venezuelan government must quickly change its tune with regard to the country's Jewish community".

Dr McClintock said: "In Lationobarometer surveys between 2000 and 2005, approval ratings of the United States fell by more than 20 points in Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Bolivia; more than 30 points in Mexico and Uruguay; and more than 40 points in Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela".

Ray Walser commented on America's dependence on the oil industry, with Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL) backing up his argument and stated that America needs to stop "buying oil from a country {Venezuela} that is hostile to our interests".

The committee also discussed the American economy and its ability to assist Latin American countries. Sergio Bendixen said: "We need to be realistic. Not only about what our friends want but what Latin America wants...we have economic limitations".

Other issues the committee discussed were the desires from the Obama administration, the April 2009 summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, human rights in Cuba, immigration, drugs control and free trade.

Eric Farnsworth suggested in his testimony that Brazil and Mexico should be allowed to join the G8. "Listening to Latin America is important...the rest of the hemisphere also has good ideas".

Chairman Engel said: "We cannot ignore our own backyard".

The committee hearing ended after 120 minutes as Congress was called to vote.

Republican Jewish Coalition speaks on behalf of Israel

Radio host Dennis Praeger emceed the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Salutes GOP Governors reception atop the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis this afternoon. Governors Jon Huntsman (R-AR), Sonny Perdue (R-GA) and Linda Lingle (R-HI) along with Praeger made the case for a McCain-Palin office and why they'd serve – especially Jewish Americans – best.

The RJC favors strong support of Israel. “I don’t know if there are two nations on earth who share more than the American people, the Jewish people and the people of Israel,” Israeli ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor said.

The major challenges facing America and Israel include Iran, terrorism and promoting peace Meridor said. As Praeger opened the program he said, “Auschwitz was not liberated by peace activists. Peaceful resistance against evil does not [work].” Praeger said the Democrats may have good intentions, but they lack the wisdom to resolve the issues of the day.

Gulf Coast governors Haley Barbour (R-MS), Charlie Crist (R-Fla.), Bobby Jindal (R-LA), Rick Perry (R-TX) and Arnold Schwarzenneger (R-CA) all were scheduled to attend prior to Hurricane Gustav, Praeger said. Republican Jewish Coalition national chairman David Flaum will still speak at the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening as planned.

Republican Jewish Coalition and Susan G. Komen raise money for Hurricane Gustav relief

Nearly 300 Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) members joined together in downtown Minneapolis to raise around $30,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Hurricane Gustav relief.

Hadassah Lieberman headlined the program, speaking to the members-only crowd. CEO and President Hala Moddelmog of Susan G. Komen for the Cure also addressed the group. Press secretary Suzanne Kurtz said the RJC considers national security, a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and energy top priorities.

The Jewish people traditionally support the Democratic Party, but the RJC believes the trend is changing. "John McCain will continue the inroads that the Republican Party is making in the Jewish community," Kurtz said.