La Raza: Key Senate Democrats Stand up For Real Immigration Solutions

Washington, -Political theater was on full display in the U.S. Senate. Senate Republicans, trying to capitalize on President Obama's already troubling announcement made earlier this week of sending 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, presented several enforcement-only immigration amendments to the "Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010" (H.R. 4899). Due to the leadership of Senate Democrats, the amendments failed on procedural votes and were withdrawn from consideration.

"Unfortunately, today's activity on the Senate floor reflects a continued unwillingness by key Republicans to deliver real solutions on immigration," said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. "Our country does not need more political theater and grandstanding. We've already spent $17 billion on enforcement over the last eight years, with nothing to show for it. Throwing more money into the same strategies that have given us no results is simply not a cost-effective approach. Both parties and the president know full well that meaningful and effective border strategy can only be achieved through comprehensive immigration reform."

NCLR applauds Senate Democrats who took a stand, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

Those amendments defeated included:

Senator John Cornyn's (R-TX) Amendment #4202
Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) Amendment #4214
Senator John Kyl's (R-AZ) Amendment #4228
For more information, please visit www.nclr.org | www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.

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For more information, please visit www.nclr.org | www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.