United We Dream, the nation’s largest network of undocumented immigrant youth, reiterated what all networks have been stating since the defeat of Gov. Mitt Romney to the President’s seat: The anti-immigrant agenda has lost. Mitt Romney’s low Latino voter turnout is directly related to his anti-immigrant stance.
«Polls show Latino voters voted with Dreamers in mind and we are taking that with us to Kris Kobach’s back yard and planning to win additional victories for our families and entire communities,» said Cristina Jimenez, Managing Director of United We Dream. «600 dreamers are coming to Kansas City, MO well aware and educated of our political climate. They are motivated now more than ever to fight for the safety and security of those closest to them who are still at risk of deportation.»
«We will continue to push both Republicans and Democrats to design a permanent policy that both provides citizenship and relief to 11 million undocumented people,» said Lorella Praeli, Advocacy and Policy Director of United We Dream. «We are also preparing as a network and with our partners to make sure we have a continued and effective implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We have helped over 100,000 people apply for «deferred action» but we have 900,000 people who stand to benefit and we will continue our efforts to help all.»
“Latino voters were driven to the polls this year because they supported a student’s goal to be the first one in their family to go to college, a worker’s right to be treated with respect, a family’s dream to stay united in the only country they call home, “ said Daniel Rodriguez, member of the National Coordinating Committee of United We Dream Network. “Latino voters have a check to cash in 2013. Congress and our president have the opportunity to revive the American dream for another generation by strengthening an immigration system that currently leaves our country broken.”
“I canvassed with one very important person in my mind, my daughter, Izabel,” said Sonia Martinez, member of United We Dream’s affiliate, Together Colorado. “I wanted to make sure voters were aware of what was at stake. They listened and voted with folks like me in mind.”
