Schakowsky Urges Congress to Pass Sensible, Responsible And Comprehensive Immigration Reform

SCHAKOWSKY URGES CONGRESS TO PASS SENSIBLE, RESPONSIBLE AND COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference and rally on immigration reform organized by the National Korean American Association. On the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Congresswoman Schakowsky joined immigration advocates from across the country to call on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform during the 110th Congress.

"Thank you so much for inviting me to stand with you here today, on the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, to push for sensible, responsible, and comprehensive immigration reform.

Like so many Americans, I am a first-generation American and I believe that we need to continue our tradition of welcoming immigrant groups from all over the world into our communities. Nowhere are the benefits more evident than in my district–the 9th Congressional District — which has over 75,000 Asian Pacific Americans. Our diversity is an incredible source of strength — as well as an advantage in the century ahead.

As the world gets smaller, the richness of our cultural heritage and our experience living in one society will give us a great advantage in leading the world toward a future of peace and mutual respect. We should consciously welcome diversity rather than isolate and discourage it. That's why I believe we need immigration policies that balance the need to welcome newcomers, secure our borders from terrorists, and responds to the needs of the estimated 12 million undocumented persons living in our country.

The time for immigration reform is now. I am optimistic that we will see great change and progress with the much-needed, long-overdue bipartisan immigration reform bill, the Security through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act — or the STRIVE Act, which was introduced by my colleagues, Rep. Gutierrez and Rep. Flake, and of which I am a proud original cosponsor.

The STRIVE Act does just that — it strives to respect the wonderful contributions of immigrants to the communities they join. It strives to make it easier for currently undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows and work towards citizenship. And, it strives to strike a balance between securing our borders and welcoming those who want to come to the U.S. for a more secure and financially stable life.

And, I believe that this bill not only STRIVES to meet these reasonable goals, but when passes, it will achieve exactly what it sets out to do.

To honor America's tradition of welcoming shores, we need you and other groups to continue to organize and fight to win passage of the STRIVE Act.

As Members of Congress, we must continue to break down barriers and do all that we can to protect the American dream my ancestors were able to realize. The STRIVE Act is an important step in the right direction toward true, workable immigration reform–something that must be a top priority for this Congress. Thank you all for being here today.