Common Dreams: New TV Ad Campaign Shows Continued Momentum for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

[pampango]

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/03/24-2

Building on important developments in immigration last week—with Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) outlining their forthcoming bipartisan immigration proposal; the White House and Senators Reid, Leahy, and Durbin expressing support for action this year; and hundreds of thousands of people rallying on the national mall—America’s Voice is launching a five-figure ad campaign to continue the drumbeat for reform in 2010.

The ad highlights the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform to American workers and taxpayers, and calls on leaders in Washington to advance a practical solution to ending illegal immigration. Decades without rational immigration reform have created a severely broken immigration system and a second class of workers who are exploited by unscrupulous employers. By legalizing undocumented workers and leveling the playing field in the workplace, comprehensive immigration reform will add $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy, drive up wages for all workers, and support nearly a million jobs.

The America’s Voice ad campaign begins as Washington is looking toward the 2010 elections. The ad reminds politicians that “Leadership isn’t about scoring points, It's about both parties stepping up and working together to solve tough problems.” The Schumer-Graham effort is exactly the type of bipartisan leadership the country is asking for, and members of both parties are urged to follow suit. In 2008, candidates supporting comprehensive immigration reform beat immigration hardliners in 20 out of 22 competitive races tracked by America’s Voice, and the trend is likely to continue in 2010.

Not only do American voters across the board support comprehensive immigration reform, but Latino voters see this as a defining issue and are looking for leadership from both political parties. They are also poised to make a difference in more than forty close races in twelve states across the nation."