National Hispanic Leadership Agenda rejects Republican Party platform’s "hostility toward immigrants"

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PRESS RELEASE CONTACT:

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION Estuardo Rodriguez: 202-631-2892

September 2, 2008 Peter Zamora: 202-293-2828

REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM REFLECTS ANTI-IMMIGRANT VIEWS

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda rejects platform’s hostility toward immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a nonpartisan coalition of 26 major Latino organizations, rejected the 2008 Republican Party platform for its support of anti-immigrant, unworkable immigration policies. (See letter attached) Each party’s platform contains broad policy principles that are expected to guide the party’s positions for the next four years.

“The Republican platform caters to a vocal minority of anti-immigrant activists and is unacceptable to Latinos,” stated John Trasviña, MALDEF President and General Counsel and NHLA Chair. “The NHLA recently delivered the 2008 National Hispanic Public Policy Agenda to both major political parties. The Hispanic Public Policy Agenda reflects the policy demands of the Latino community and includes strong support for comprehensive immigration reform.”

“The Republican platform ignores our demand for common-sense immigration reforms that include a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants who work hard, violate no criminal laws, and contribute greatly to the American economy and society. Instead, it urges the federal government to continue with failed deportation-only strategies that tear families apart, divide communities, and fail our nation.”

The Republican platform may be viewed here.

The NHLA 2008 Hispanic Leadership Agenda may be viewed here.

“NHLA is a nonpartisan organization that supports sound public policies that reflect Latino interests, regardless of which party champions the policies,” added Trasviña. “In this case, we are disappointed that a small band of anti-immigrant activists have exerted great influence on the platform of a party whose presidential candidate has previously been a leader in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

“Instead of catering to anti-immigrant activists, the Republican Party must do better if it expects to win the Latino vote in November and beyond,” concluded Trasviña.

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) is composed of 26 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations. Established in 1991 as a nonpartisan association, the NHLA unites major Hispanic national organizations and distinguished Hispanic leaders from all over the nation to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the largest and fastest-growing minority community in the United States.

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