The following statement can be attributed to Héctor Figueroa President of 32BJ SEIU:

Homeland Security’s sweeping deportation plan is just the latest evidence that our broken immigration system will continue to spread fear in our communities and break up hardworking families unless Congress acts to fix it. As one of the largest immigrant workers unions in the country, 32BJ SEIU has been at the forefront in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform we believe that in order to defend the rights of all workers, millions of undocumented men and women who are already part of our communities must be brought out of the shadows and given protection under the law. The current administration’s ‘deport everyone’ approach is not only an affront to our values as a nation of immigrants but is already punishing hardworking families who are deeply rooted in our communities.

Most Americans recognize the contributions of hardworking, taxpaying immigrants and are ready for a system that is humane and effective and legalizes those who are living in the shadows while addressing border security, economic security, global competitiveness, and reestablishing the rule of law.

The vast majority of undocumented immigrants are here for the same reasons as generations before them — to build a better life for themselves and their children. Commonsense reform would reduce the exploitation of immigrant workers and reduce employers’ incentive to hire undocumented workers. This means ensuring that all workers—immigrant and native-born— have full and complete access to the protection of labor, health and safety and other laws.

We are a nation that respects hard work, family and the pursuit of the American Dream. Our immigration system must hold true to these principles.