Last
night, the United States Senate failed to produce a comprehensive
immigration reform bill that would have given hope to the millions of
separated families and undocumented workers living in the shadows, made
our borders more secure, and brought order to our broken, dysfunctional
immigration system. We are extremely disappointed that the Senate was
unable to overcome politics to produce the kind of solution that this
nation deserves.

We commend those Senators who stood their ground and fought until
the very last second to deliver a solution to the American public. It
is because of their dedication and determination to solve this crisis
that we still have hope that the Senate will pass a bill that is
comprehensive, humane and workable. We are encouraged by Senate
Majority Leader Reid’s (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader McConnell’s (R-Ky.)
openness to bring up the bill again in the coming weeks, and strongly
urge the Senate to work in a bipartisan fashion to reach an agreement
that will result in a bill that this nation desperately needs.

Now is the time for the Administration, the Senate and the House of
Representatives to redouble their efforts to get a comprehensive
immigration reform bill signed into law that is fair, workable, and
treats families and workers with dignity and respect. It is critical
that this debate move forward to address our country’s pressing need
for real comprehensive immigration reform. The security of the United
States can only be enhanced with comprehensive reform that couples
effective and targeted enforcement policies with future worker and
legalization programs that are workable and fair.

While we are dismayed that the Senate process has stalled, we remain
extremely concerned about a number of provisions in the Senate bill and
some of the recently passed amendments that undermine family
unification and the essential workability of the proposal. We call on
our elected leaders to support a comprehensive approach that fulfills
our humanitarian, economic and security interests all at once.

The stakes are too high for the Senate to throw in the towel. The
alternative is to accept the status quo and endure continued migrant
deaths in the desert, sporadic raids that separate families and
displace essential workers, exploitation of immigrant workers through
an illegal immigration system, prolonged waits for family reunification
immigrants, inconsistent and haphazard immigration policy and
enforcement at the state and local levels, and a chaotic and wasteful
border and interior enforcement scheme that places the United States’
security in jeopardy. This alternative is unacceptable.