Senator Adriano Espaillat Praises Obama For His Actions Towards An Immigration Reform

Praising President Obama’s latest initiative towards an immigration reform, Senator Adriano Espaillat released a statement in which he also looks to explain the benefits of the action even further. The statement reads as follows: “To the President’s critics, there has never been, and never will be a good time to undertake immigration reform. But to hardworking immigrant families who have been driven underground by our moral and political failure to pass immigration reform, each passing day is a missed opportunity for change. President Obama deserves tremendous praise for action that will bring meaningfully benefits to individuals, families and entire communities, and for incurring the political costs he will inevitably face in retaliation for this brave act.

Thursday night's announcement brought new opportunity to 5 million patriotic immigrants who have made this country their home. And while it may temporarily inflame xenophobic anti-immigrant sentiment, the results will ultimately disprove the smears and superstitions that have been unfairly leveled at immigrants throughout the President’s time in office.

Immigration opponents will not be the only ones mobilizing – immigration reform supporters must demonstrate the depth of support for this executive order. That's why I will be leading a march next week in New York City to support the President’s actions and ensure the immigrant community’s voice is not lost in this public debate.

The President’s actions have not replaced the need for broader immigration reform – at both the state and federal level. But he has dramatically furthered this defining civil rights issue, and shown a firm humanitarian commitment at a time when congressional gridlock has diminished the immigrant community’s hopes for a better life. I join millions of Americans – U.S. citizens and undocumented immigrants alike – in thanking the President for his actions.”