Thursday
Apr022009
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.
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.
tagged 
Capitol Hill, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Gideon Aronoff, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Jewish, Statue of Liberty, The Progress by Passover, Too, We Are Strangers, citizenship, comprehensive immigration reform, documented, immigration laws, immigration raids, immigration reform, law enforcement, undocumented aliens in News/Commentary
Capitol Hill, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Gideon Aronoff, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Jewish, Statue of Liberty, The Progress by Passover, Too, We Are Strangers, citizenship, comprehensive immigration reform, documented, immigration laws, immigration raids, immigration reform, law enforcement, undocumented aliens in News/Commentary
Sotomayor Gets Endorsement from Senator, Law Enforcement Groups
Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke out Tuesday in support of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination. Menendez was joined by representatives from the National Latino Peace Officers Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association. The focus of the discussion was Sotomayor’s strong commitment to equality, justice and law enforcement.
“Let me make one thing perfectly clear, we get to be proud of this nominee because she is exceptionally qualified, first and foremost. We get to be proud of her vast knowledge of the law, her practical experience fighting crime and her proven record of dedication to equal justice under the law,” said Menendez.
He said that he is proud to have the opportunity to cast a vote in support of President Obama’s nomination of Sotomayor and he believes she is clearly the right person for the job.
The law enforcement officials who spoke emphasized her work in the fight against crime. Menendez noted that there are many different professional dimensions to Sotomayor’s experience and her commitment to law enforcement is just one aspect. The Senator said all of Sotomayor’s qualities will be highlighted during the confirmation period.
Said Chief Art Acevedo, the President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, “One of the things that impresses law enforcement about the Judge is the fact that she has worked on the streets in the front line seeing first hand as a prosecutor in New York the challenges faced by the communities we serve, the challenges faced by the law enforcement community and more importantly the challenges we face as a nation.”
Menendez and the other leaders noted Sotomayor’s judicial experience, and said they are committed to promoting a fair confirmation process by the U.S. Senate.
“Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to be a Justice of the Supreme Court is a proud moment for America,” Menendez said. “It’s proof that the American dream is in reach for everyone willing to work hard, play by the rules, give back to their communities, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or social economic background. And it’s further proof of the deep roots the Hispanic community has in this country.”