Senator Mel Martinez pressured to take a Position on Immigration Reform

Today, the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform announced a new phase in their campaign to get comprehensive immigration reform passed this year. The coalition, joined by representatives from the Campaign for Community Change, Democracia Ahora and SEIU Florida Healthcare Union, unveiled its plans for a media campaign urging Senator Mel Martinez to lead and not retreat on immigration reform. As the Chairman of the Republican Party, the group expects Martinez to lead his party and break the gridlock in Congress. The opening salvo of the national ad campaign will start in Florida and expand to other states and key members of Congress, in both parties, who are essential to passing comprehensive immigration reform in Congress. Just a year ago, Senator Martinez—the only immigrant in the Senate— remembered his roots and worked diligently across party lines to pass comprehensive immigration reform delivering hope and opportunity to immigrants and solutions to the nation.  “We were optimistic when Senator Martinez was tapped by President Bush to lead the Republican Party after Latino voters abandoned the Republican Party in droves in 2006 as a result of grandstanding on immigration. But instead of backing a bipartisan approach like last year, he’s backing a White House proposal that would make reform unworkable not only for immigrants, but for the nation,” said Clarissa Martinez, campaign manager for the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. “Rather than come to the sensible center and negotiate in the open to craft a bipartisan bill, some Senate Republicans and the White House have dragged immigration reform into the backroom and have decided to play politics once again. The American people overwhelmingly support comprehensive immigration reform and they expect Congress to pass legislation this year. Senator Martinez needs to step up, be a leader and get it done right.” This is the first round of a media campaign that is expected to be a hard-hitting national effort urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. It will include print ads, a series of radio spots and a call-in campaign. The coalition plans to expand its efforts to a number of states and elected officials in both parties to move the debate forward and achieve comprehensive immigration reform.  “We call on Senator Martinez to not retreat from this issue, and instead lead his party in the direction of America: toward workable, comprehensive immigration reform,” concluded Clarissa Martinez. For more information please contact mmcnee@cirnow.org or visit www.cirnow.org The print ad calling on Senator Martinez to support true immigration reform can be viewed at: http://www.cirnow.org/file/771.pdf

KJ