Madigan, attorneys general
urge Congress to act on immigration reform
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[April 11, 2013]
CHICAGO -- Attorney General Lisa
Madigan was joined by a bipartisan group of 34 other state and
territorial attorneys general in urging U.S. Secretary of Homeland
Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and
congressional leaders to pursue comprehensive federal immigration
reform. In a joint letter, the attorneys general stated their
support for a law enforcement strategy that focuses on public
safety, targets serious crime, safeguards witnesses and victims, and
considers national security implications.
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"The time is now for immigration reform," Madigan said. "With a more
comprehensive, effective system in place, we can help to make our communities
safer. It’s time for Congress to come together on this most pressing national
issue."
Madigan and her counterpart attorneys general called for a reasonable and
predictable regulatory environment that considers the interests of, and the
unintended consequences to, businesses, workers and consumers. They noted that a
broader reform effort should eventually include a way to accurately, reliably
and affordably determine who is permitted to work, ensuring an adequate labor
force for a growing economy.
"We thank Attorney General Madigan for joining a bipartisan group of state
attorney generals, representing the overwhelming majority of the highest
state-level law enforcement officers in the U.S., to push for sensible
immigration reform," said Lawrence Benito, CEO of the Illinois Coalition for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
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The attorneys general recognized that immigration policy is
primarily a federal responsibility and pledged to lend their voice
and expertise to federal legislators as lawmakers move forward in
this process.
[Text from file received from the office
of
Illinois Attorney General Lisa
Madigan]
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