Miami – Today, a historic immigration reform bill passed the United States Senate with a 68-32 vote. Our Florida Senators Marco Rubio (R) and Bill Nelson (D) voted in favor, reflecting the bi-partisan support enjoyed throughout Florida for immigration reform. Poll after poll affirms this.
As the debate shifts to the House of Representatives, the leadership of Florida’s Latino Republicans, including Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep Mario Diaz Balart, among others, will be key to insuring that the entire Florida delegation supports a bi-partisan approach in the House.
Members of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, will stand together in a press conference to share with the community what the Senate vote means and send a message to the House of Representatives. They will be joined by community leaders and faith leaders such as Bishop Leo Frade from the SE Episcopal Diocese and others.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, Immigration reform will reduce the deficit by 175 billion (in 10 years). Immigration reform will bring relief to close to 1,000,000 Floridians. The bi-partisan agreement virtually militarizes the border. There are no more excuses.
Having second class citizens, living in fear and marginalized, may be good for those who exploit them, but not for the vast majority of Americans, who expect our elected officials to go to Washington, DC, to craft solutions that move us forward together. Those who obstruct, derail or engage in political posturing, harm our democratic process and our progress.
We have come to this historic moment because of a vibrant and courageous social movement that fights criminalization and racism and seeks to rescue fundamental values we all share—equality and opportunity. Conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, Florida is building consensus and momentum for reform. We are eager for our families, no matter where they were born, to come together to maximize their full potential, contribute fully and participate equally in shaping our shared future.
