International Migrants Day: Time for Congress to pass fair immigration reform

On International Migrants Day, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund calls on Congress to pass fair immigration reform.

“As we mark International Migrants Day and the invaluable contributions of immigrants to our nation, we also urge justice for immigrants and their families. Now is the time for Congress to pass fair, inclusive and comprehensive immigration reform,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. “The House must act now and do the right thing for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, over a quarter of a million of whom are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. These people need a real pathway to citizenship and the American Dream now.”

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day. It is a day to disseminate information on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, the sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure their protection.

“Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family,” the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said while he delivered his report on migration to the UN General Assembly earlier this year.

“Fair immigration reform is good for our democracy, good for our economy and good for America. We need action now,” Carey stressed.