FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: House Democrats Defeat Anti-Immigrant Amendment

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after House Democrats’ defeat of an anti-immigrant amendment, introduced by Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) on the House floor last night, 284 to 134:

"Democrats defeated a Republican anti-immigrant amendment sponsored by Congressman Tom Tancredo on the House floor last night that unfairly singles out legal immigrants from neighboring countries.

"The temporary protected status (TPS) program is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries around the world faced with civil unrest, violence, or natural disasters. The amendment would have stopped the federal government from administering legal TPS for Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua, an unfair and discriminatory measure. While Democrats were united in their opposition to the amendment, a clear majority of Republican House Members supported it.

"This extremist amendment contradicts broad, bipartisan policies in Congress and the Administration policy, which have consistently supported TPS for nationals of countries around the world faced with civil unrest, violence or natural disasters.

"Democrats are committed to protecting our borders and strengthening our immigration policies. However, this Republican amendment did neither— it was mean-spirited and anti-immigrant. Democrats continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform that protects our borders, protects American workers, protects the workers coming in from exploitation, unites families, and has strong procedures for a path to earned citizenship."

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi