AFL-CIO Trashes House GOP’s ‘Flimsy’ Immigration Proposals

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO) president Richard Trumka addresses members during the quadrennial AFL-CIO convention at Los Angeles Convention Center Monday, Sept 9, ... American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO) president Richard Trumka addresses members during the quadrennial AFL-CIO convention at Los Angeles Convention Center Monday, Sept 9, 2013. The AFL-CIO plans to open its membership to more non-union groups in an effort to restore the influence of organized labor as traditional union rolls continue to decline. A resolution approved Monday at the federation's quadrennial convention in Los Angeles would expand membership for workers who aren't covered by a collective bargaining agreement. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The AFL-CIO — a major player in the immigration reform debate — issued a scathing statement criticizing the House GOP’s broad proposals revealed Thursday to overhaul the country’s immigration system.

Richard Trumka, the chief of the large labor union, which endorsed the Senate-passed immigration bill, slammed the Republican ideas as “flimsy” and reflective of a “callous attitude” toward immigrants.

Read his full statement below.

“Seven months after 68 Senators overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan immigration bill, House Republicans respond with a flimsy document that only serves to underscore the callous attitude Republicans have toward our nation’s immigrants.

“We said at the beginning of 2013 and we reiterate at the beginning of 2014: A roadmap to citizenship is vital to protecting working families’ rights and keeping families together. In 2013, Americans made clear they support a path to citizenship for the 11 million aspiring Americans. So should House Republicans. Half-measures that would create a permanent class of non-citizens without access to green cards should be condemned, not applauded.

“Until we create a functioning immigration system with a pathway to citizenship, ruthless employers will continue to exploit low wage workers, pulling down wages for all. All workers, immigrant or not, will see workplaces become safer and wages grow higher when we create a real roadmap to citizenship. And yet Republicans not only reject citizenship but embrace a broken guest worker model that will bring down wages and increase income inequality.

“We continue to urge the House to vote on H.R. 15, the House version of the Senate bipartisan immigration bill, while also reiterating our call on the administration to halt the deportation of immigrants who would be eligible for citizenship under the Senate bill.”

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: