WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the only immigrant serving in U.S. Senate, released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s executive order on immigration enforcement.

“This is a big step toward bringing millions out of the shadows to help strengthen our economy and our national security. Every President since Dwight Eisenhower, Democrats and Republicans alike, has exercised executive action on immigration. President Obama is no different in this move.” Said Senator Hirono, “Last year the Senate passed a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill that I was honored to help shape. I will continue to fight for reforms that allow families to stay together, and urge Congress to take action to fix our broken immigration system.”