WASHINGTON, DC - After House Republicans' draft principles" for immigration reform were leaked to the media today, Rocio Saenz, International Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

"Though seriously flawed, the immigration reform 'principles' we saw today represent an important step forward, signaling that House Republicans may finally be serious about moving forward on commonsense immigration reform.

"The legislation suggested by the House Republican principles would unfortunately create a permanent class of second class citizens and does not go far enough in fixing our broken immigration system and in some ways would make them worse.

"First and foremost, we should strive to fix our broken immigration system in a manner that comports with American values. This is America. Immigrants have always come here seeking a better opportunity and a better future, and in turn, immigrants have contributed through their hard work to building a better nation and strengthening the fabric of our communities.

"Our country is marked by the generations of immigrants that have been integrated into our democracy as full Americans with the earned rights of citizenship. Once we start to say that this group or another may not become citizens, we create a dangerous precedent leading to divided and less democratic American future. We have come too far as a country to relegate anyone to second-class citizenship.

"While the release of these 'principles' represents progress and signals good intentions, talk and principles are no substitute for actual legislation. The proof of Republican intentions will be in whether and when they put pen to paper and schedule some votes. It's high time for House Republicans to engage the nation and people of good faith in both parties so that true, commonsense immigration legislation can finally become a reality."

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