WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) along with CPC Equal Protection Task Force Chair Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) released the following statements after President Obama announced executive action on immigration that would bring relief to nearly 5 million people living in the United States.
“I am proud of President Obama for standing by his word, and standing with immigrant communities tonight,” Rep. Grijalva said. “The actions he announced will provide relief for millions of people who want nothing more than to be our fellow citizens and contribute to our society. The President’s actions are not all-encompassing – they are a strong starting point with clear opportunities to build from. This country was built on the hopes and dreams of people coming here in search of a better life and President Obama has proven he is dedicated to making this dream a reality for millions more.”
“The action President Obama described tonight will bring relief to millions who live in fear of the knock at the door that could change everything,” Rep. Ellison said. “He joins President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush in taking executive action to keep families together. Politics too often stands in the way of what is right. The president’s action is a first step towards fixing an immigration system that is inhumane and cruel. I proudly stand with President Obama and the millions of people who will be helped by his leadership.”
The President displayed strong leadership this evening as he announced new executive action that shifts the prosecutorial focus to locking up and deporting real criminals, keeping America safe and strong, rather than needlessly tearing apart families who love this country,” said Rep. Polis. “This was a bold, but necessary step to fix our broken immigration system, but it is still only a stop gap. In order to truly solve this problem and reap the many benefits that immigration reform will bring to our country, Congress must step up and pass comprehensive immigration reform as soon as possible.”
The CPC previously sent a memo to the President urging him to sign a strong executive order to provide relief for over 7 million undocumented immigrants.
