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Board of County Commissioners Emphasized commitment to Immigration Reform

Santa Fe – October 12, 2010 –Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners Chair Harry Montoya today expressed his concern toward the U.S. Senate for recently failing to muster the 60 votes needed to move forward on the Defense and DREAM Act amendment for immigration reform. He also reiterated the County’s call “upon our national leaders to agree upon comprehensive reform of immigration legislation which provides for a compassionate path to citizenship.

“On May 11, 2010, the County Commission approved Resolution No. 2010-89 which recognized Santa Fe County’s commitment to encouraging President Barack Obama and the Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform.” Montoya recalled. He continued, “In late September, Senate republicans blocked progress on the DREAM ACT, which would have served as an important stepping stone to comprehensive immigration reform.”

The DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) act was initiated by Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid, who attached the bill as an amendment to the Defense Reauthorization bill.

If accepted, the legislation would have permitted conditional citizenship for six years to immigrants younger than 35 who were illegally taken into the U.S. before 16 years of age and had lived in this country for at least five years. To be eligible for permanent citizenship, these immigrants would have had to have a high school diploma or GED and be in college or have served two years in the military.

“The DREAM Act was not only an important stepping stone toward immigration reform, but also a way for young people who have grown up in the United States and who love this country to give back to America by pursuing their higher education dreams and fighting to defend our country. By opposing this measure, we are saying to them that they need not apply, and that they are not welcome to contribute in a positive way to make this their permanent, legal home,” Montoya said, adding, “In my opinion, the vote by Senate Republicans to stop the bill from moving forward was a vote against young people, Latinos and their families and against immigrants living in the United States and, more particularly, in New Mexico.”

Montoya noted that the Senate’s actions contradicted grassroots activities throughout the United States to support immigration reform, including more than 70 events in 26 states that generated more than 50,000 calls and 90,000 faxes to the Senate on the DREAM Act.

He also stated that the failure is of particular concern to New Mexico, because according to the Migration Policy Institute Data Hub (http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/), as of 2008 an estimated 28.8 percent of New Mexico’s foreign born population was younger than 18, and 20.7 percent of the state’s children younger than 18 live with at least one immigrant parent.

“Santa Fe county recognizes the invaluable contributions our state’s immigrant populations have made to our country and our state, and believes that immigrants who have been here for several years, pay taxes, raise families and contribute to their communities should have the opportunity to obtain legal permanent residency and earn U.S. citizenship through a program that offers fair and reasonable requirements,” Montoya said.

He added, “I hope that Congress will not give up, and that they will make comprehensive immigration reform a priority this fall. Our country owes it to ALL of our residents to come up with an immigration policy that is fair, reasonable, and that once again defines the United States as the ‘land of opportunity’ for those who want to live here as legal citizens.”