Napolitano Steps up for Immigration Reform in Recent Statements

America's Voice Blog

Posted 08/31/09 at 01:52pm

Secretary Janet Napolitano is finally coming out in stronger support of immigration reform, giving us a glimpse of the Arizona governor who, at various points in her career, strongly advocated the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

After facing much criticism regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s maintenance of Bush-styled enforcement strategies, Secretary Napolitano expressed her commitment to comprehensive immigration reform at an August 20,2009 White House Meeting on Immigration. Following the get-together, America’s Voice executive director, Frank Sharry, said:

Secretary Napolitano needs to speak up on immigration as only she can…we want to see her explain to the American public why comprehensive immigration reform is the way to solve this problem.

This week we got a glimpse of the leadership we were looking for. At a meeting with the Dallas Morning News’ editorial board late last week, Napolitano explained:

There is a bipartisan recognition that the current law is outdated and needs to be brought up to date with our current needs.

She even listed out the necessary elements of a reform bill, including a means for immigrants without legal status who do not have criminal records to register for citizenship, pay taxes, and become Americans. This is a step in the right direction for Secretary Napolitano, whose leadership will be crucial in the upcoming fight for immigration reform.

We look forward to more of it.

Blog post by Nora Feely.