Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) participated in a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the Ethical Imperative for Reform of our Immigration System. The two-hour hearing featured testimony from four faith leaders of large, traditionally conservative denominations. Each spoke supportively of current congressional efforts toward comprehensive immigration reform and the urgent need for such legislation.
"Today’s hearing shows that immigration reform isn’t a Democratic cause or a Republican cause – it’s an American one," said Chu. "This Congress has a moral imperative to finally solve this problem. Every person of any creed understands that it’s wrong to separate families and hurt real people."
Chu also noted that immigration causes no long term reduction on wages and, because of their positive effect on consumer spending, immigrants actually have a positive effect on the wages of most, if not all, Americans. The witnesses echoed Chu's statements about immigration reform’s importance.
"With an estimated 12 million men, women, and children living and working illegally in the United States, it is no less than a crisis," said Richard D. Land, President of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. "Despite the impasse in previous Congresses on immigration reform, our crisis is not insurmountable. Congress can and must devise a plan to bring these people out of the shadows."
Congresswoman Chu is a strong advocate for effective and humane immigration reform. She is on the House Immigration Subcommittee and is an original co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR-ASAP).
