1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

art by Favianna Rodriguez

Art by Favianna Rodriguez

“ You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. ” – César Chávez, UFW

Presente.org Applauds President Obama's Immigration Remarks During Inauguration Speech

Statement by Arturo Carmona, Executive Director

Jan. 21, 2013

Washington, D.C. - Presente.org is encouraged by President Obama's statements, reaffirming his commitment to “find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity.” Shifting the dialogue to focus on welcoming immigrants, we hope signals a new era in immigration policy where harsh enforcement policies can be a thing of the past.

Immigration enforcement costs taxpayers MORE than the entire budget of the FBI, a staggering $18 billion each year. The time to focus on bringing relief to the 11 million undocumented people in our county is now. Citizenship for all 11 million, no less.
It was also inspiring to see our community well represented during this inauguration. From Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, to poet Richard Blanco, and ending with a blessing in Spanish by Rev. Luis Leon of St. John's Church in Washington.