First Anniversary of President Obama - Immigrants Remind Him: Friends Keep Promises!

First Anniversary of President Obama - Immigrants Remind Him: Friends Keep Promises!

One year ago, one of Chicago’s own ascended to the highest office in the country.  The Latino and immigrant communities voted in record numbers across the country, and changed the political landscape in many states.  They did so because of Obama’s campaign promise for comprehensive immigration reform. In Chicago, we believe friends keep promises.  

With detentions and deportations continuing to surge above the levels under the previous administration, and reports from senior advisors like David Axelrod that immigration is not a priority, (Obama's first year: President's aides learn 'tightrope,' Chicago Sun-Times, January 20, 2010), those feelings of “Hope” and Change” are slowly being replaced by skepticism, anger, and a sense of betrayal.

Pundits and political analysts will try to spin the elections in Massachusetts last night as a referendum on the President and on many other issues such as comprehensive immigration reform.  If anything, the election results last night demonstrate that politicians from across the political spectrum need to real policy victories like comprehensive immigration reform to ignite support and ensure turn-out from Latino and immigrant voters.  

The election results in Massachusetts sent a clear message to Washington: Voters want results. Voters want the Congress and the President to act to solve tough problems. This is as true in Massachusetts as it is in Illinois. Massachusetts voters echoed last night what Americans all over the country have been saying: We want bipartisanship, leadership and results from our elected officials, and Washington isn't doing its job. The 2008 election was about sweeping change. Our leaders haven't delivered. The American people are tired of politicians who refuse to act on our toughest national problems.  

ICIRR calls on the President, Congress, and all political parties to support a long overdue just and humane immigration reform for our families, for our economy, for all. Now is the time for real solutions than uphold our nation’s values and move us forward together.

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