We're one step closer to immigration reform

Today, the comprehensive immigration reform bill cleared the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan majority of 68-32, including every Democrat and 14 Republicans. “We are closer than ever to winning immigration reform and fixing this inhumane system,” said CCI member Gloria Aguilar from Des Moines. “This is a very big step for our communities. It will change millions of lives. With the bipartisan support in the Senate, Congress has no excuses not to pass immigration reform this year.”

Senator Tom Harkin voted to pass the bill, while Senator Charles Grassley remained consistent in his anti-immigrant efforts to kill immigration reform and voted against the bill. “The bill’s provisions militarize the border and put extreme control measures in place, yet Grassley still voted against immigration reform,” said Aguilar. “This is not about border control; it’s about excluding immigrants from a chance at the American Dream. Grassley’s vote does not represent Iowa values.”

CCI members, along with national allies have been fighting for a path to citizenship for 11 million hopeful Americans. “The horrific raids in Marshalltown and Postville were a dark episode in Iowa’s history with our broken immigration system,” said Aguilar said. “We cannot wait any longer to fix this.”

CCI members believe the bill is extreme in its border control provisions and will keep pushing to change this. The militarization of the Southern border will have serious consequences for border communities and taxpayers. Yet, the path to citizenship—the heart of this bill—is largely intact and will provide relief for millions of families around the country.“ Iowans want fair immigration reform that keeps families together, protects workers’ rights and provides a path to citizenship for all 11 million hopeful Americans,” said Aguilar. “House Representatives must know this and act. We will keep fighting until the path to citizenship is a reality.”

Since the beginning of this year, Iowa CCI members have held dozens of meetings across Iowa, engaged hundreds of immigrants, weighed in with Iowa’s Congressional delegation in Washington D.C., joined with ally groups for demonstrations and marches and have been at the forefront of pushing for fair immigration reform that puts families and communities first.