FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2013

CONTACT: Tammy Besherse; Tammy@SCJustice.org

A coalition of civil and human rights organizations in South Carolina has asked Senator Lindsey Graham to promote immigration reform that includes a clear roadmap to citizenship, affirms the DREAM Act, and ends abusive and discriminatory enforcement practices, while focusing on keeping families together.

In a letter sent January 2, 2013, the South Carolina Immigration Coalition (SCIC) – a statewide coalition of community leaders, faith, civil and human rights organizations, and other constituents working together for immigrant rights – called on Senator Graham to lead the immigration reform effort in the U.S. Senate and to ensure that any overhaul of the country’s immigration system respects constitutional guarantees of fairness and equal treatment for all.

The SCIC urged Senator Graham to promote immigration reform legislation that adheres to four principles: It should include a clear roadmap to citizenship that is not hindered by overly punitive criteria. A reform bill must affirm the DREAM Act and enable recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to qualify automatically for legalization. It must end unconstitutional enforcement practices that alienate communities and have been widely criticized for promoting racial profiling. Finally, the border is more secure today than it has been at any other time in history and resources should focus on keeping families together.

The SCIC pledges to work with Senator Graham to enact legislation that keeps families together, stimulates the economy and protects America’s security.

The SCIC membership includes faith and community leaders, the ACLU of South Carolina, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, the Council of Mexicans in the Carolinas, the Hispanic Leadership Council, the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition, and the SC Hispanic/Latino Health Coalition, among other groups.

Read the letter to Senator Graham.