State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz as Chair of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus along with its members Senator Martin Malave-Dilan, Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. and Senator Jose Peralta rebuke yesterday's immigration bill signing by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. The Arizona law would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the United States illegally. “While we deplore this blatant attempt to legitimize the police when they stop and interrogate the Hispanic population of Arizona, we are hopeful that passage of this bill should finally motivate the members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives to pass a humane and comprehensive, nationwide policy in regard to immigration,” stated Senator Diaz.

It is naïve to believe that the Arizona police can solve the problem of our nation’s porous borders, undocumented and exploited workers, and the drain on our education and health care system by striking fear in heart of every Hispanic in Arizona who attracts the attention of the police when they are stopped.

Will arrests in Arizona discourage undocumented immigrants from educating their children or seeking health care? Will arrests in Arizona stop employers from hiring employees they know or suspect to be undocumented? Will arrests stop any detained and deported Hispanics in Arizona from returning illegally to Arizona after being deported?

It is essential that our federal legislators bring up for a vote a comprehensive immigration bill. Since the United States economy depends upon labor provided by immigrants, any temporary worker program must include fair wages and benefits for migrant workers, labor protection for migrant workers, a path to permanent residency and citizenship, mobility between the US and homeland. A just immigration system will reduce the visa backlog to enable family reunification.

“It is unfair and inappropriate for anyone to blur the lines and equate immigration with terrorism. Our nation's long and rich tradition of welcoming newcomers must not be a thing of the past,” stated Senator Diaz.

Any failure of the United States Congress to act now and pass a comprehensive policy to preempt any misguided local attempts will create nationwide repercussions like Arizona’s frustrated politicians' passage of this ill-willed bill. The same determination used to successfully pass the health care reform bill is required to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform now.

via ABC News

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told a gathering of Hispanic journalists that immigrants should avoid Spanish-language media if they want to learn English quickly.

"You've got to turn off the Spanish television set" and avoid Spanish-language television, books and newspapers, the Republican governor said Wednesday night at the annual convention of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

(more)

Ministros Hispanos Celebran Forum de Ayuda Al Inmigrante Bronx, NY- La Organizacion de Ministros Hispanos de New York y su presidente el Senador Rev. Ruben Diaz, en union a la Universidad de la Ciudad de New York "CUNY", invitan al Forum Comunal de Asistencia al Inmigrante. El Sabado 12 de Mayo, de 11:00 a.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. En el Colegio Eugenio Maria de Hostos, localizado en Grand Concourse y Calle 149 en el Condado del Bronx, habran 25 abogados y expertos en inmigracion para llenar, completamente gratis, papeles, contestar preguntas y ayudar a resolver cualquier problema o inquietud que usted tenga respecto a inmigracion.