WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bill that would help grow the economy and bring order to the dysfunctional immigration system was introduced today by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., along with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. The renewed focus on a comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system was lauded in a statement released by SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina:

Deep wounds require more than band-aids. Such is the case with immigration reform. It is time to stop applying band-aids to an issue that requires comprehensive reform. This is the only way to restore some sanity to immigration laws and current enforcement practices.

"Politicians should know that the 'enforcement only' approach cannot work without the type of comprehensive immigration reform outlined by Sen. Menendez. His proposal addresses all issues at once: worksite enforcement that holds employers accountable, border enforcement, and an honest path to citizenship for current workers and their families who qualify and whose labor and consumer spending help sustain our economy.

"Instead of developing fair, tough and pragmatic immigration solutions favored by the public, some politicians have catered to anti-immigrant extremists by proposing band-aids that won't stick over the long term. A new government mandate requiring employers to use the faulty E-Verify system to check workers' eligibility hurts businesses, especially small businesses and industries reliant on immigrant labor like agriculture and food service, kills jobs, and fails to diminish the undocumented workforce.

"Let's all roll up our sleeves and work together on a plan that would even the wage scale for all U.S. workers, force businesses to play by the same rules and reduce the size of the underground economy so that our economy can grow and taxpayers can benefit."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

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