ICIRR Leader Probes Clinton on Immigration

Last Saturday marked the first annual Heartland Presidential Forum in Iowa. Four busloads of ICIRR community members braved the icy conditions to show solidarity with diverse organizations across the Midwest. Coming at a crucial time in the campaign calendar, the Forum allowed community leaders to ask the candidates tough questions about everything from housing to immigration reform.

ICIRR leader Billy Lawless asked Hillary Clinton whether she would commit to passing comprehensive immigration reform soon after taking office. Here's an msnbc blogger's report:

Asked by Coalition member Billy Lawless if she would address immigration reform during her first 100 days in office, Clinton did not offer a definite "yes," saying, “Well, you've got to get the Congress to pass the legislation." As hoots crescendoed from the rear of the room, she continued, "The president can do as much as possible, which I will do."

Coalition staff member Ricardo Serrano described the Chicago-based group as a pro-immigrant rights coalition of ethnic and service organizations throughout the state of Illinois. The organization has a heavy Hispanic representation but also includes members of European and Asian groups. Lawless, the man who asked the question that prompted the boos, is an Irish immigrant.

Serrano said that the group has galvanized around opposition to Illinois congressman Rahm Emmanuel, who "pulled a 180 on us" by failing on his promise to push comprehensive immigration reform through the Congress earlier this year. Serrano is concerned that Clinton's recent remarks on drivers' licenses for illegals -- on which he says she has "stumbled, if not completely backtracked" -- might indicate her willingness to brush off immigrant communities.

Perhaps 'the Hillary boo' may call her Party's attention to the fact that a fair, swift, and humane immigration reform is a top priority for our communities- and our nation. It is not an issue that can be ignored or swept aside to a candidate's second term, as Democratic leader Rahm Emanuel (5th Congressional district- IL) has repeatedly asserted.

Papers Confront Party Leader on Immigration

The mainstream media is now confronting Democratic Party Leader Rahm Emanuel (5th Congressional District- IL) about his "political cowardice" on immigration. A recent New York Times editorial, referring to Congressman Emanuel, states, "The natural allies of immigrants have been cowed into mumbling or silent avoidance." This at a time when, according to a recent Chicago Sun-Times column, "Republicans are having a field day taking a hard line and blaming illegal immigrants for everything wrong with this country."

Enough is enough. It's time for both party's leaders to stand up for what is right, make an honest effort to fix our broken laws, and denounce the scapegoating of immigrants for political gain. The American public, and the people whose hard work fuels our economy, deserve no less.

Ads Attack Emanuel for Failure to Support Immigrants

The progressive blogosphere lit up this week with news that Democratic Party Leader Rahm Emanuel (5th Congressional District- IL) supports the SAVE Act (HR4088), legislation that takes an enforcement-only approach to immigration reform- with no path for the undocumented to gain legal status.

To the left is a copy of the Spanish newspaper ad published in Hoy on November 15th, 2007, that asks the question, Why is Congressman Emanuel Betraying our Friends and Families? Read the full text in English, or download a copy in Korean. The ads were paid for by Blue America and approved by the Illinois Coalition.

Immigrant advocates and netroots activists were already shocked by Emanuel's remarks in last week's Chicago Tribune article, where he called immigration "the new third rail of politics." This came just months after the Congressman pledged to move a comprehensive reform bill forward last spring. Listen to the NPR story here.

The ad urges people to Call Congressman Emanuel now at (773) 267-5926 and tell him, "Stop being afraid to fight for immigrants, and start acting like a real leader." Send a fax or email to your Representative, saying NO to SAVE.

For more information about these ads, contact Catherine Salgado at csalgado@icirr.org. For more on the "rubber chicken campaign" that ICIRR launched during the Yearly Kos convention, click here.