Today, the Spanish-language press covers the rollout of a new ad campaign in Nevada promoting comprehensive immigration reform. The ads, paid for by the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign, are mentioned in a column by EFE’s María Peña, who says: “In Nevada, where Hispanic voters account for 12.4 percent of the electorate, a publicity campaign debuted today in Spanish to ‘mobilize the public to unite and fight for comprehensive immigration reform.’ The ads, promoting a national text-message campaign and including TV and radio advertisements, asks the question millions are asking: ‘If not now, when?’”
Sample headlines:
Al Día (Philadelphia): “Spanish Ad Campaign to Push for Reform” (“Campaña en español para impulsar la Reforma”)
La Opinión: “Initiating action for immigrants” (“Inician acción por el migrante”)
Metro Latino USA: “Spanish Ads for Immigration Reform” (“Anuncios en español por reforma migratoria”).
Similar headlines appear in Terra, Zocalo.com, Ahora Sí (Austin), Mundo Hispano (Utah), and Diario de Yucatán (Mexico).
The America’s Voice report “The Power of the Latino Vote” was released yesterday during a telephonic press conference with Eliseo Medina, Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Janet Murguía, President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); and Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice.
Last week, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) sent a political warning to his fellow Democrats: if immigration reform doesn’t pass, as promised, Latinos won’t vote:
Without progress, the congressman warned that many Latinos would stay home from the polls.
In addition, the California Field Poll found that Senator Barbara Boxer’s reelection could be in danger if Latinos don’t vote. This may come as a shock to some, but not to any of us following the growing power of the Latino vote.
Today, America’s Voice is releasing a new report that chronicles how, over the past decade, Latino voters have steadily increased their political power, and made a decisive impact in races at all levels, including the Presidency. In 2010, Latino voters are poised to play a crucial role in key House and Senate races across the country. While trending Democratic overall, at least one segment of the Latino electorate—foreign-born, naturalized U.S. citizens of Latino descent who represent 40% of the Latino voter population—has proven to be a true swing constituency. The outcome of the upcoming debate on comprehensive immigration reform will determine how – and if – this group of Americans votes in 2010 and beyond.
“The Power of the Latino Vote in America: They Tipped Elections in 2008; Where Will they be in 2010?” examines Latino voting trends, how immigration reform will affect turnout, and identifies 40 battleground races in 11 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia) where Latinos have an impact.
Stay tuned for highlights from the report and a roundup of coverage later today.
Today, the Hispabic press highlights on the America’s Voice report “The Power of the Latino Vote” received a front-page story in La Opinión (Los Angeles). The report analyzes 40 electoral races in 12 states: 29 House seats, 8 Senate seats and 3 governorships. All of these are closely contested elections where the Latino vote could make the difference for the candidates.
Today’s La Opinión also includes an op-ed from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice, challenging the conventional wisdom that comprehensive immigration reform is impossible in 2010.
Today, the Hispanic press highlights a study from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) indicating that immigration does not depress the wages of American workers. According to the report, titled “Immigration and Wages,” Department of Labor statistics demonstrate that the arrival of 9.5 million immigrant workers between 1994 and 2007 resulted in native-born workers receiving a wage increase of $3.68/week.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid targeting 14 transit companies in Houston resulted in the arrest of 81 undocumented immigrants and 22 U.S. residents suspected of human trafficking, as reported in El Financiero and on Univision.com.
Representative Mike Honda and Sonia Manzano, who most people know as Maria on Sesame Street, wrote an article, which was published today in the Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, voicing their support for comprehensive immigration reform. They write:
The tide seems to be turning in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, despite populist trends that might suggest otherwise.
As the political dust settles, Rep. Honda kindly reminds his colleagues that voters expect their leaders to solve tough problems, not run away from them. Polls show that the majority of Americans – including Republican and independent voters – support comprehensive immigration reform.
And it is the right thing to do for our economic recovery by generating billions in new tax revenues, helping American workers and honest employers, and replacing our current broken system with a functional approach that restores the rule of law.
It’s a little premature, we think, for anyone to be writing immigration reform’s obituary and we’re glad that the authors of the article are battling the rumor that immigration reform can’t happen this year. In fact, they clearly state otherwise:
This is the year for comprehensive immigration reform. Left to future presidents or future Congresses, the number of undocumented immigrants will only increase and the visa waits will only get longer. Meanwhile, we lose an opportunity to do what’s right economically, politically and morally. On all accounts the case is clear: Reform now.
‘Nuff said?
