A key Democrat in the negotiations for an immigration bill has pledged to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) to battle for family reunification, reports Asian Fortune.
The comments by Rep Xavier Becerra (D – CA) were made at the CAPAC ceremony celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
“I am here to pledge to you as the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus and negotiator, ” said Becerra. “There’s no true immigration reform” without family reunification, he said.
Earlier this week, a diverse group of Asian American, Pacific Islanders, Latinos, and women groups endorsed an amendment to the Gang of Eight immigration bill that would create new opportunities for women and their families.
“We applaud Sens. Hirono and Murray and the ten women cosponsors for their leadership on this amendment. Today they stand united with the women immigrants everywhere, ensuring fairness and equality in our immigration system,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC. “This bipartisan amendment is a testament to the economic value that immigrant women and their families contribute to our communities, by strengthening the middle class and our nation.”