SEIU Lauds President's Call for Immigration Reform with Path to Citizenship in 2013

Jan 29, 2013 - LAS VEGAS, NV - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today congratulated President Obama for urging Congress and our nation to work together on an immigration plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants now in... Read more...

President and Bipartisan Senate Group Agree That Time Is Now for Commonsense Immigration Reform With Pathway to Citizenship

Jan 29, 2013 - WASHINGTON, DC -- The Service Employees International Union applauds the growing momentum on Capitol Hill for commonsense immigration reform. On the eve of President Obama's scheduled announcement of immigration principles that are expected to include a pathway to citizenship for... Read more...

On Immigration, President Obama Poised to Make History Again

Jan 21, 2013 - History will remember President Obama as the realization of the American Dream that was based on our nation's founding principles, "that all men are created equal" and that among our rights are "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Read more...

New Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for Immigration Reform That Includes Earned Citizenship

Jan 18, 2013 - Common Sense Solution Favored over "Enforcement First" Option WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A solid majority of U.S. voters favor common sense immigration reform that includes a path to earned citizenship for current undocumented immigrants, and strong accountability measures, according to a... Read more...

U.S. Citizens With Undocumented Spouses to Get Relief Starting in March

Jan 03, 2013 - SEIU applauds effort to keep spouses together WASHINGTON, D.C. - Under a rules change set to take effect on March 4, the Obama Administration will for the first time allow certain spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens to remain... Read more...

Latino Leaders Announce Civic Engagement Campaign to Win Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2013

Dec 12, 2012 - Groups Pledge to Hold Congress Accountable WASHINGTON, DC - A new campaign to win congressional enactment of comprehensive immigration reform in 2013 was announced Wednesday by leaders of national Latino civil rights and labor organizations. The groups issued a joint... Read more...

SEIU Applauds Calls by Former President Bush and Conservative Leaders to Congress to Reform the Immigration System

Dec 04, 2012 - WASHINGTON, DC -- In his first major speech on immigration since leaving office in 2009, former President George W. Bush called on Congress to debate immigration "with a benevolent spirit and keep in mind the contributions of immigrants." His comments,... Read more...

STEM Jobs Act Unfairly Benefits Some at the Expense of Others

Nov 27, 2012 - House GOP Immigration Bill Undermines Talk of Fixing Immigration System WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) prepares to step down as House Judiciary Committee Chairman with a parting shot at immigrant communities by resurrecting a partisan special interest bill,... Read more...

SEIU's Eliseo Medina: "The voices of the voters have reached Washington."

Nov 14, 2012 - WASHINGTON, DC - Following President Barack Obama's remarks today on immigration reform, SEIU's International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina issued this statement: "The voices of the voters have reached Washington. "We share President Obama's confidence that comprehensive immigration reform will soon be... Read more...

Romney Delivers Unbelievable Debate Remarks on Immigration

Oct 16, 2012 - DENVER, CO - During the second presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney, voters saw the first face-to-face encounter over immigration, with Romney proving again why public opinion polls show him badly trailing among Latino voters. Rather than explain... Read more...

The 99% React to Romney's Empty Retorts and Applaud President Obama

Oct 03, 2012 - Watch party delivers live translation for Spanish-speaking Latino viewers DENVER-- In both English and Spanish, members of the 99% lauded President Barack Obama's debate performance and his continued support of working families and the middle class, while rejecting Republican candidate... Read more...

SEIU's Eliseo Medina: "César Chávez created a movement that gave a voice to farm workers' fight for social justice and set the foundation for Latino activism in America."

Oct 03, 2012 - WASHINGTON, DC--Next week, President Obama will announce the establishment of César E. Chávez National Monument in Keene, California in honor of the Latino civil rights leader's legacy in the farm workers movement. Inspired by his words, SEIU's International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo... Read more...

Mexico Accepts NAFTA-Related Complaint Against Alabama Racial Profiling Law

Sep 20, 2012 - Complaint Filed by SEIU and Mexican Lawyers Group WASHINGTON, DC -- The Alabama anti-immigrant law and a complaint that it breaches the supplemental labor agreement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are under review by the Mexican government,... Read more...

¡Todos A Votar! (Let's Vote!) Campaign Comes to Pueblo and Denver, Colorado Friday, September 7

Sep 05, 2012 - With post-convention attention focused on the potential voting strength of Latinos, the national Latino voter education campaign ¡Todos A Votar! (Let's Vote!) swings through Colorado on Friday, September 7. Sponsored by 10 national groups and local affiliates,* ¡Todos A Votar!... Read more...

SEIU: GOP Anti-Immigrant Platform Is Divisive

Aug 28, 2012 - The GOP's anti-immigrant agenda is divisive...and falls woefully short of America's values of inclusiveness and fairness. Read more...

¡Todos a Votar! Latino Vote Campaign to Stop in Arizona

Aug 08, 2012 - Voter engagement tour in Phoenix and Tucson on Saturday, August 11 PHOENIX, AZ - Arizona, the state that became ground zero in the national debate over state-sponsored anti-immigrant laws, is the next stop on the national ¡Todos a Votar! ("Let's... Read more...

National Latino Advocacy and Civil Rights Groups to Embark on ¡Todos a Votar! Tour; Groups travel to key states to engage Latino voters to register and vote

Jul 23, 2012 - Stops in Stockton, LA, Riverside & San Diego STOCKTON, CA -- California will be the starting point this week of a Latino voter public education campaign, ¡Todos a Votar! ("Let's Vote"), sponsored by national Latino advocacy groups to register and... Read more...

New SEIU and Priorities USA Action Ads Focus on Medicare and Home Foreclosures

Jul 11, 2012 - The third round of Spanish-language ads from SEIU/COPE and Priorities Action USA continue the groups' aggressive campaign to use Mitt Romney's own words to convey his stated positions on issues important to Hispanic families. Read more...

SEIU Launches New Campaign to Counter GOP Effort to Thwart Health Care Law

Jul 10, 2012 - Radio Ads and Mailings Specifically Target Latino Voters WASHINGTON, DC -- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today launched a campaign to inform Latino voters about what they stand to lose if Republican lawmakers have their way and repeal... Read more...

President Connects with Latino Public Officials After Romney Shows Detachment from Concerns of Hispanic Voters

Jun 22, 2012 - SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina Attends Speeches at NALEO Conference in Florida Lake Buena Vista, FL - Today, President Obama addressed the bipartisan National Association of Latino Local and Elected Officials, and proposed a credible policy agenda that supports the... Read more...

Romney's Extreme Immigration Policies: Out-of-Touch with Hispanic Families

Jun 18, 2012 - In Spanish-Language Ad Campaign, SEIU and Priorities USA Action Blast Mitt Romney's Extreme Immigration Policies WASHINGTON, DC -- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Priorities USA Action today released the second round of television and radio ads in their... Read more...

SEIU Applauds President Obama's Decision For DREAMers

Jun 15, 2012 - Following is a statement from SEIU Secretary Treasurer Eliseo Medina regarding President Obama's announcement today that the administration will stop deporting young illegal immigrants who came to the Unites States as children and have since led law-abiding lives. "Today, President... Read more...

National Civil Rights and Labor Groups Declare Fight is Not Over in Alabama

May 25, 2012 - As Extremist Legislators and Weak Governor Make HB 56 Even Worse, National Organizations Vow to Keep Fighting Hateful Law **National Civil Rights and Labor Leaders Will Host a Conference Call with Reporters on Wednesday, May 30th, at 9:30 am Central**... Read more...

House Targets Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence

May 17, 2012 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a move that impacts police criminal investigations and endangers immigrant victims of crime and domestic violence, the House of Representatives has removed important protections in the current Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The GOP-controlled House rolled... Read more...

Hitting "Abusive" Alabama Anti-Immigrant Law, SEIU and Allies Lodge Unprecedented NAFTA Complaint

Apr 30, 2012 - MEXICO CITY -- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and a Mexican labor lawyers group today filed a path breaking complaint with Mexico's Department of Labor challenging Alabama's anti-immigrant law HB 56 under the supplemental labor agreement of the North... Read more...

SEIU's Eliseo Medina: "States Do Not Have the Right to Legalize Hate" As U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Arizona Law, Voters Will Have the Final Word

Apr 25, 2012 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court must strike down Arizona's racial profiling law, SB 1070, based on Constitutional principles that deny states the right to legalize hate and discrimination, SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina said on Wednesday, as the... Read more...

Labor and Civil Rights Leaders to Hold Press Call from Berlin on Alabama HB56 Following Daimler Shareholder Meeting

Apr 03, 2012 - AFL-CIO, National Council of La Raza and America's Voice Education Fund Washington, DC -On April 4th, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic assassination, labor and civil rights groups will be in Germany at the Daimler shareholder meeting... Read more...

Daimler and its shareholders urged to seek repeal of Alabama's racial profiling law

Apr 02, 2012 - U.S. labor files complaint with United Nations' ILO WASHINGTON, D.C/BERLIN - A delegation representing civil rights and labor leaders will be in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday 4th April, to urge Daimler AG and its shareholders to seek repeal of Alabama's... Read more...

SEIU and Civil Rights Leaders Tell Hyundai Shareholders in Korea: Put the Brakes on Hate

Mar 16, 2012 - SEIU, The Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights and National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) urged Hyundai Motor Company shareholders on Friday to live up to their moral and corporate responsibilities and call for repeal of Alabama's racist law, HB 56. Read more...

SEIU and Priorities USA Action Expand Ad Campaign in Florida and Nevada to Continue to Expose the Two Faces of Mitt Romney

Feb 01, 2012 - Priorities USA Action and SEIU today doubled their efforts to educate voters about the "two-faces" of Mitt Romney and his unbelievably low 13.9 percent tax rate with new Spanish language radio ads in Florida and Nevada. Read more...

In New Florida Ad Campaign, SEIU and Priorities USA Action Blast Mitt Romney for Disingenuous, 'Two Faced' Outreach to the Hispanic Community

Jan 24, 2012 - SEIU is launching a joint ad campaign with Priorities USA Action to highlight the two faces of Mitt Romney--including his insincere and disingenuous outreach strategy to Hispanic voters. Read more...

The Two Faces of Mitt

Jan 16, 2012 - "I must say that I am absolutely amazed that, when it comes to Latinos, how culturally tone deaf, divisive and strategically challenged the Romney campaign is." Read more...

SEIU Applauds Administration's Efforts to Cut Red-Tape and Keep Families Together

Jan 06, 2012 - SEIU applauds today's announcement by the Obama Administration to knock down bureaucratic obstacles for U.S. citizens who currently face hardship because their spouses cannot remain in the country legally. Read more...

GOP Iowa Debate: Candidates Prefer Postville-style Immigration Enforcement

Dec 12, 2011 - When asked about immigration, the answer -- or lack of them -- given by three of the six Republican Presidential candidates espoused deportation-style enforcement for most of the 11 million undocumented residents now in the U.S. Read more...

SEIU's Medina: Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce's Defeat is a Victory Against Extremism

Nov 09, 2011 - On Tuesday, November 8th, voters also told AZ state Senator Russell Pearce, 'Stop. Enough.' Arizona's chief anti-immigrant messenger was defeated and Latino voters helped turn the tide. Read more...

SEIU: U.S. Department of Justice Rightly Challenges South Carolina Immigration Law

Oct 31, 2011 - The federal government must step in and attempt to block South Carolina's erroneous immigration control law that violates the U.S. Constitution. States may not create their own immigration policy. Read more...

Justice Temporarily Denied in Alabama

Sep 28, 2011 - SEIU will continue to challenge the Alabama law because it is illegal and it is a gross attack against basic civil rights and our core values as a nation. Read more...

Spanish-Language Media Campaign Highlights Hypocrisy of GOP Jobs and Immigration Bill

Sep 27, 2011 - As House Republican leaders weigh the timing for a floor vote on a flawed mandatory E-Verify bill, SEIU and the America's Voice Education Fund launched a five-figure Spanish-language media campaign to educate constituents about the pending legislation. Read more...

SEIU: Alabama Law Threatens Justice Everywhere

Sep 01, 2011 - We call on Gov. Bentley and the Alabama state Legislature to repeal HB56. Not only is this law illegal, it is a gross attack against basic civil rights and our core values as a nation, and it must be stopped. Read more...

SEIU Lauds New DHS Focus On Serious Criminals

Aug 18, 2011 - Finally, the administration is responding to our concerns about the Secure Communities program. Read more...

SEIU Statement on the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Alabama's immigration law, H.B. 56

Aug 02, 2011 - SEIU commends the U.S. Department of Justice's strong stand against Alabama's radical immigration law by filing a lawsuit challenging its validity. Read more...

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's Anti-Hispanic Agenda Goes Down

Jun 28, 2011 - The Texas Senate adjourned today without a final vote on "Sanctuary Cities" legislation that was one of Gov. Rick Perry's "emergency" items at the start of the year. Read more...

Senate Democrats Offer Real Remedies, not Band-Aids, for Immigration Reform

Jun 22, 2011 - 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. Read more...

SEIU's Medina: "Business Death Penalty" Wrongly Upheld by U.S. Supreme Court

May 26, 2011 - SEIU's Eliseo Medina made the following statement today following the United States Supreme Court's narrow ruling in favor of Arizona's so-called "Business Death Penalty" law that strips business licenses away from employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Read more...

SEIU's Medina: President Obama Boldly Moves Towards Immigration Reform

May 10, 2011 - By keeping attention on the issue and uniting divergent interests from across the political spectrum, President Obama is challenging the nation to set aside divisive politics and find real solutions. Congress needs to listen. Read more...

SEIU'S Medina: Utah Immigration Bill Well-Intentioned, But Wrong: Dangerous for Workers

Mar 09, 2011 - While an effort by Utah's legislature to fix the system stemmed from a well-intentioned attempt by Governor Herbert to find solutions instead of engaging in divisive political pandering, the final legislation failed to deliver a comprehensive, balanced solution. Read more...

SEIU: "Mandatory E-Verify is a Jobs Killer"

Feb 10, 2011 - As anti-immigrant Republicans push another government mandate that would harm U.S. workers, SEIU's Eliseo Medina issued the following statement: "Mandatory E-Verify is the wrong solution at the wrong time." Read more...

Costly and ineffective enforcement-only approach is not the immigration reform we need

Jan 26, 2011 - Ahead of the House Immigration Subcommittee Hearings on Worksite Enforcement today, SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina issued a statement: "Congress must reject any attempt to fund costly and ineffective enforcement-only immigration policies." Read more...

UPDATE: 8 Activists Arrested During Sit-In at Downtown Minneapolis Chipotle Store

Jan 20, 2011 - Today, in protest of Chipotle's mistreatment of immigrant workers, 8 protesters were arrested in an act of civil disobedience at a Chipotle store in downtown Minneapolis. Read more...

SEIU Statement on SB1070 Hearing Court Brings Calm to Storm of Reckless Arizona Politics

Jul 22, 2010 - Today, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Bolton held a hearing on the class action lawsuit filed by Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which charges, among other things, that SB1070 violates the First Amendment and interferes with federal law. Read more...

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry: "Immigrants Are Not For Profit"

May 17, 2010 - SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and SEIU's Immigration Campaign Director, Javier Morillo, joined SEIU members and NPA leaders at a rally outside of the DC Headquarters of Corrections Corporation of America, the largest private prison company in America. Read more...

SEIU Joins with Other Labor and Civil Rights Groups to Announce Boycott of Arizona, Boycott of Intolerance

May 06, 2010 - SEIU to move conventions, meetings out of Arizona and urge labor partners, lawmakers, and other major U.S. institutions to follow suit Washington D.C.--Today, SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina joined labor and civil rights leaders to announce that the 2.2... Read more...

Statement of Eliseo Medina on the Signing of Arizona's Radical Anti-Immigration Bill "SB 1070"

Apr 23, 2010 - SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina released this statement after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the "SB 1070" into law today. Read more...

Menendez' POWER Act Will Help Curb Rampant Exploitation and Eroding Workplace Standards for all Workers

Apr 14, 2010 - SEIU Executive VP Eliseo Medina released a statement on the introduction of the Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation Act (POWER Act) by Senator Menedez (D-NJ). Read more...

Ya Es Hora ¡Ciudadania! Campaign Continues Historic Effort to Assist with U.S. Citizenship

Apr 14, 2010 - Leaders of the historic ya es hora ¡Ciudadanía! (It's time, Citizenship!) Campaign will announce a series of naturalization workshops in 12 cities across the country on April 17 and 24, 2010, in celebration of the American Immigration Lawyers Association's (AILA) National Day of Citizenship. Read more...

SEIU's Medina:"It's time for Sec. Napolitano and President Obama to Rein in the Cowboys at ICE"

Apr 09, 2010 - SEIU holds vigils in CA, MA, MN & NY to Urge DHS and ICE to Get its House in Order, Restore Faith in Agency's Competence Washington, D.C.-- Today, hundreds of SEIU cleaners and security guards are holding prayer vigils outside... Read more...

MEDIA ADVISORY for April 8th-9th: Hundreds of SEIU Cleaners and Immigrant Rights Activists to Hold Vigils Outside of Local ICE Offices Across the Country

Apr 07, 2010 - At vigils in CA, MA, & MN SEIU to Call on DHS and ICE to Get its House in Order, Restore Faith in Agency's Competence On April 8-9, hundreds of SEIU cleaners will holds prayer vigils outside of local Immigration... Read more...

SEIU'S Medina: New H-2A Farm Worker Rules Could Not Come Soon Enough for U.S. and Foreign Workers

Feb 12, 2010 - Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis reinstated protections for temporary, foreign farm workers (H-2A visa holders) that were slashed from the nation's agricultural guest worker program during the last days of the Bush administration. Read more...

DHS' Immigration "Enforcement" Strategy is More of the Same

Dec 14, 2009 - SEIU has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano expressing deep concerns about the Department's recently announced decision to send I-9 audit notices to 1,000 additional employers--notices that are off target because they will result in the dismissal of thousands of workers but will let the worst employers off the hook. Read more...

SEIU Statement on Dobbs' Resignation: Dobbs No Longer Fanning the Flames of Hate at CNN

Nov 12, 2009 - In response to yesterday's announcement that Lou Dobbs is resigning from his position as anchor on CNN effective immediately, SEIU issued the following statement... Read more...

SEIU Statement on ICE Enforcement in the Twin Cities

Nov 10, 2009 - Washington, DC--SEIU issued the following statement regarding ICE enforcement in the Twin Cities: "Enforcement without comprehensive reform is like redecorating when the house is on fire. Instead of solving problems, it only succeeds in pushing undocumented workers away from responsible... Read more...

Death of Vitter-Bennett Amendment to Wreck the Census is a Victory for Workers, Victory for America

Nov 05, 2009 - After weeks of organizing against the Vitter-Bennett amendment with the Don't Wreck the Census campaign, today the Senate voted for cloture, 60-39, on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. Read more...

SEIU Members Join Thousands at U.S. Capitol to Renew Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Oct 13, 2009 - Today, over 400 SEIU members joined fellow activists and religious leaders for a day of religious ceremonies and visits with lawmakers to urge Congress to advance legislation that will overhaul the U.S.'s broken immigration policies. Read more...

Former Census Directors Warn that Vitter Amendment would Severely Damage 2010 Census, Cost Billions

Oct 13, 2009 - Yesterday, five former U.S. Census Directors, who oversaw the U.S. Census process since 1973, expressed in a statement their grave concerns about a proposed amendment by Senator David Vitter (LA-R) to the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill that would add a new question on citizenship and immigration status to the 2010 census. Read more...

Thousands of DREAM Students Shine Light on Broken Immigration System, Hold Over 120 "Back to School" Events Nationwide

Sep 23, 2009 - Today thousands of immigrant students held over 120 events in 28 states to support legislation that would allow talented DREAM students who view this country as their own to attend college, serve their nation, and earn a path to U.S. citizenship. Read more...

SEIU Denounces Anti-Immigrant Hate Speech

Sep 14, 2009 - Today the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), America's Voice Educational Fund, Center for New Community, and the Campaign for Community Change launched a print ad denouncing known hate group, FAIR (the Federation for American Immigration Reform) for poisoning the healthcare and immigration debates with bigoted, xenophobic hate speech. Read more...

Immigrant and Labor Groups Announce Citizenship Push to Help Applicants Overcome Economic Barriers, Boost Naturalization Rates

Sep 11, 2009 - Today--less than a week before National Citizenship Day on September 17--ya es hora ¡Ciudadania! (Citizenship: It's Time!), national community partners and the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) announced that more than 25 citizenship events are being held across the country this September to help thousands of eligible immigrants apply for U.S. citizenship. Read more...

MEDIA ADVISORY for September 11th: National Immigrant, Civil Rights and Labor Groups to Discuss Continued Increase in U.S. Naturalizations, Despite Economic Hurdles

Sep 08, 2009 - In honor of National Citizenship Day, ya es hora ¡Ciudadania! (Citizenship: It's Time!) partners--the NALEO Educational Fund, NCLR and SEIU will join the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) for a telephonic press briefing on Friday, September 11 to preview more than 25 citizenship workshops planned nationwide this month. Read more...

Foundation Laid for Needed Immigration Reform

Aug 20, 2009 - Today, joined by other labor, advocacy, faith and business leaders, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina will meet with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to lay the groundwork on immigration reform. Read more...

Another DREAMer Deportation Deferred

Jul 24, 2009 - oday, after just 24 hours of letters and calls by Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and hundreds of grassroots activists, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deferred the deportation of Taha, an 18-year-old honor student from Jersey City. As a result of DHS's actions, Taha will be allowed to finish college and continue his dream to become a pediatrician. Read more...

Schumer Moves Ball Forward on Immigration Reform

Jul 21, 2009 - SEIU commends Senator Schumer and members of the Judiciary Subcommittee for rolling up their sleeves and starting to lay the groundwork for a thoughtful, solution-driven debate on comprehensive immigration reform this fall. Yet, the current E-Verify program needs significant improvements before it can serve as an effective component of comprehensive reform. Read more...

U.S. Senate's Expansion of Reckless E-Verify System is Harmful for All Workers

Jul 08, 2009 - Today the U.S. Senate passed an amendment by Senator Jeff Sessions to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to permanently mandate use of the E-Verify employment verification system for all employees of Federal contractors. SEIU, which scored the vote, has long opposed the expansion of a program that has repeatedly been proven to be flawed and costly by the Social Security Administration and the Congressional Budget Office. Read more...

Walter Lara Independence Day Victory!

Jul 02, 2009 - Today, after 48 hours of intense activism by Congressional Leaders, bloggers, and thousands of grassroots activists who made calls and sent letters on Walter Lara's behalf, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to defer 23-year old Lara's scheduled deportation back one year until July 3, 2010. Read more...

SEIU Statement on White House Immigration Meeting

Jun 25, 2009 - Today, President Barack Obama met with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to discuss steps for passing comprehensive immigration reform. Read more...

Passage of the DREAM Act Will Allow Next Generation of Leaders to Achieve Their Own American Dream

Jun 23, 2009 - Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. Read more...

Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign Launched to Spearhead National Immigration Reform Effort

Jun 03, 2009 - At today's press conference, leaders of labor unions, business coalitions, civil rights and religious groups, and pro-immigrant advocacy organizations announced the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign--an effort to focus the political power of these diverse constituencies and give the American people a way to communicate their broad support for comprehensive immigration reform directly to lawmakers in Washington. Read more...

SEIU: Today's SPLC Report Is "A Wakeup Call" For America

Apr 21, 2009 - SEIU International Executive Vice-President Eliseo Medina released the following statement on today's report by the Southern Poverty Law Center examining the discrimination and abuse of Hispanic workers in the South: Read more...

Change to Win And AFL-CIO Unveil Unified Immigration Reform Framework

Apr 14, 2009 - Change to Win and the AFL-CIO today unveiled a unified framework for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The joint announcement and proposal is a critical sign of support for the Administration and Congress to address immigration reform - and to ensure that it remains a priority on the legislative calendar. Read more...

Hilda Solis Will Stand for Justice, Open Doors for Millions of Workers in America

Jan 09, 2009 - "At this critical juncture in our great nation, I cannot think of anyone more qualified than Representative Hilda Solis to re-establish the U.S. Labor Department's priorities of justice, fairness, and equal opportunity for all workers," said SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina today, in his statement of support for Representative Hilda Solis's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Labor: Read more...

SEIU Statement on Bush's Proposed H2A Changes That Will Put U.S. Farm Worker Jobs in Jeopardy

Dec 17, 2008 - "The Bush Administration's proposed changes to the H2A guest worker program are the wrong policies at the wrong time by making it easier for big business to exploit some of the lowest-paid workers in the country," said SEIU Executive VP Eliseo Medina in a statement released today. Read more...

SEIU Condemns Criminalization of Immigrant Workers and Renews the Call for Smart, Pragmatic Reform

Jul 24, 2008 - Today the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees and International Law held a hearing on the government's handling of immigration raids and criminalization of immigrant workers. Below is a statement from SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina. Read more...

STATEMENT OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION TO U.S. House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee ON THE SECURE AMERICA THROUGH VERIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT

May 06, 2008 - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is strongly opposed to The Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act ("SAVE Act,"HR 4088). We are particularly concerned about the cost of the Act to the federal government and the burden that it will place on many American workers and those legally authorized to work in the United States. Read more...

SEIU Warns of the Disastrous Impact on All Working People and Renews the Call for Smart, Pragmatic Reform

May 06, 2008 - Today the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security convened a hearing on the employer verification system proposed in the Shuler/Tancredo Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. In response, SEIU issued a formal statement before the subcommittee, and SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina issued the following statement: Read more...

Eliseo Medina Testimony on Naturalization Backlog Before House Judiciary Subcommittee

Jan 17, 2008 - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), on behalf of its more than 1.9 million members, thanks the U.S House of Representatives Subcommittee on Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law for holding this hearing. Read more...

SEIU Lays Out Measures to Reduce Naturalization Backlog and Help New Citizens Vote in 2008

Jan 17, 2008 - "If the Bush administration truly believes America is stronger and more dynamic when new citizens are welcomed, it will make sure that USCIS processes the hundreds of thousands of citizenship applications trapped in a snarl of red tape and government bureaucracy,"said Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina, upon submitting testimony to the House Subcommittee on Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law on how to reduce the naturalization backlog that may block hundreds of thousands of citizenship applicants from voting in the 2008 Elections. Read more...

National Citizenship Coalition Surpasses One Million Goal; 2007 Citizenship Applications Highest In A Decade

Jan 07, 2008 - Today, the Ya es Hora: Ciudadania! (Citizenship, It's Time!) Campaign announced that it surpassed its goal of helping mobilize more than one million eligible immigrants to apply for U.S. citizenship in 2007. Read more...

Another DREAM Deferred

Oct 24, 2007 - This afternoon, the Senate voted down the DREAM Act, a bill that would help immigrant children who attend college or serve in the military legalize their status. This vote exposes the failed leadership of Senate Democrats and Republicans, who have allowed nativist anti-immigrant hate speech to overwhelm reason on the immigration reform debate. Below is a statement by SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina responding to the failed cloture vote. Read more...

SEIU Testifies Before House Judiciary Subcommittee Against Illegal USCIS Immigrant Service Fee Hike

Sep 20, 2007 - Today, Rhadames Rivera, Vice President of SEIU Healthcare Local 1199 UHE, testified before the House Subcommittee on Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law on the negative impact that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fee hike will have on the union's immigrant members. Read more...