Jewish Groups Back Obama on Immigration Reform
Si Se Puede: President Obama greets supporters after speaking on immigration reform in Las Vegas. Image by getty images
Jewish organizations praised President Obama’s immigration reform proposals, as well as similar measures offered by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators.
In addressing the problem of the 11 million undocumented people in the United States, Obama at a speech Tuesday in Las Vegas stressed the need to enforce current laws and create a path to citizenship.
Mark Hetfield, interim president and CEO of HIAS, an organization that deals with migration and refugee resettlement, said he “is more encouraged than we have been in years that our leaders will finally create a just system for immigrants and refugees.”
Now is the time to “fix a broken system” that includes “all kinds of artificial, technical barriers that deny asylum to persecuted people,” he said.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs also welcomed the proposals.
“We are eager to work with both Republicans and Democrats, both Congress and the president, to finally see immigration reform passed,” said chair Larry Gold. “Not only will these proposals strengthen our country, but the bipartisan cooperation behind them could mean the start of a new era.”
The American Jewish Committee also applauded the efforts for immigration reform, calling them encouraging.
“Immigration is a key factor in bolstering America’s economic strength and democratic pluralism,” said Richard Foltin, director of national and legislative affairs for AJC.
The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement saying, “It is clear that both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue have heard the American people calling for leaders to overcome partisan divides and create a common sense solution to fix a broken immigration system.”
Barry Curtiss-Lusher and Abraham Foxman, the ADL’s national chair and national director, said their organization is looking forward to working with Congress and Obama in what they hope will be a debate that “will honor America’s heritage as an inclusive, compassionate nation of immigrants that values the diversity of its people.”
B’nai B’rith issued a statement saying that it “will continue to advocate for a constructive outcome to the legislative process.”
Nancy Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, said her organization “is heartened by the newfound energy to pass comprehensive immigration reform after years of inaction. NCJW will continue to work for immigration reform that ends the second-class status of immigrants without papers and ensures that a viable path to citizenship is finally at hand.”
Also weighing in was the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism. Associate director Barbara Weinstein called the proposals “important steps toward resolving the challenges that have plagued our immigration system for far too long.” She noted that Jewish tradition “commands us to welcome the stranger.”
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
