The below from GALEO and Jerry Gonzalez on yesterday’s amnesty defeat.

Due to the results of failed progress in the U.S. Senate today and the pending implementation of SB529 on July 1st, we wanted to send out this email early.

The following is a statement by Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO regarding the U.S. Senate’s failure to move forward with comprehensive immigration reform:

Today, our U.S. Senate failed once again to resolve differences and failed to produce a viable immigration reform policy for our nation. It is a major setback for a robust and effective comprehensive immigration reform solution.

That result is simply unacceptable. We must renew our efforts to call on our Congressional delegation to get the job done and to do it right. We urge the U.S. House of Representatives and the White House to renew efforts and take the challenge of crafting a better immigration policy that reflects our needs as a nation to truly secure the borders, enhance national security, continue economic development, reflects our nation’s family values and recognizes the important contribution that immigrants ( note from D.A.- he means illegal aliens) have made to our nation.

By voting not to move forward, our U.S. Senate has voted for continuing the status quo of continued illegal immigration.

The U.S. Senate voted against securing our borders.

The U.S. Senate voted to undermine national security by forcing the immigrant community to live in fear and continue underground.
The U.S. Senate voted to destablize our economy with the continued threat of workplace immigration raids, especially in Georgia.

The U.S. Senate voted for doing nothing and U.S. Senator John McCain has coined that as the “silent amnesty”.

The U.S. Senate voted to continue to tear families apart with selective immigration enforcement.

Right now, it is unclear what happens next. However, the efforts for comprehensive immigration reform will continue. Anti-immigrant forces on the right and talk radio have poisoned the debate to truly move towards real solutions for our nation.

Our nation needs leaders and statesmen that will rise to ensure the difficult challenges are appropriately addressed. Unfortunately, our politicians in Washington D.C. have fallen short again and have let us down with no viable solutions or alternatives.

America is at its best when we are united and move towards common goals and aspirations. The politicians of today are more interested in divisive politics based upon emotion and fear. America needs leaders that instill hope and establish a sense of greatness that is deserving of this nation.

We face a temprorary setback today on comprehensive immigration reform. However, our nation will rise up to meet the challenge with comprehensive, just, humane and moral immigration reform in the future. It is not a matter of if, but still a matter of when. America has overcome these divisive challenges in the past and we will continue our efforts to move our great nation forward.

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GALEO has been a consistent voice of reason in Georgia during these challenging times. We urge you to join us as GALEO Members and help us continue to make our voice stronger. We can accomplish that with your GALEO Membership.

Your membership is critical to our continued efforts in Georgia.

Now is the time to renew your commitment to GALEO or to join the GALEO familia. Please join GALEO today and help us as we continue to shape the future of Georgia.

Thank you,

Jerry Gonzalez
Executive Director
Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)