Statement by Wade Henderson on Menendez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement today in response to Wednesday’s introduction of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act by Sen. Robert Menendez, D. N.J.:

“We’re very grateful to Senator Menendez for exercising leadership on a bill to overhaul our nation’s broken immigration system.  The principle behind comprehensive immigration reform is the same principle that has guided every civil and human rights movement in our nation’s history: people who work hard to make our country a better place, and who are willing to play by the rules, deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity, and to have an equal chance to share in the American Dream.

Fixing our immigration system is just as essential to improving our nation’s economy and improving the lives of all Americans as reforming our health care system, creating good jobs, strengthening workers’ rights, protecting consumers, and providing every student in this country with a quality education.  In a year that has been marred by ugly anti-immigrant state laws and even uglier anti-immigrant rhetoric, we thank Senator Menendez for continuing to press forward with real solutions and a constructive dialogue.”