U.S.ENGLISH Shocked and Dismayed
by Number of Illegal Immigrants
Statement by U.S.ENGLISH Chairman and CEO
Mauro E. Mujica
WASHINGTON, D.C. - We are dismayed by the latest Census Bureau figures
that reveal the enormous numbers of illegal immigrants, almost 9,000,000,
to our country. While we have long cautioned the U.S. government about its
immigration policies, we were not aware of the magnitude of foreign nationals
living here illegally.
Let me be clear: U.S.ENGLISH is pro-immigration. I myself emigrated to
the U.S. from Chile and obtained my U.S. citizenship in 1970.
There are millions of immigrants like me who waited their turn, filled out
all the paper work, and complied with the law to become part of America.
By not following up on newcomers to determine their visa status sends
the message that you can come to America illegally and face no consequences.
It encourages more, not less illegal immigration, and serves to punish those
who obey our immigration laws.
We believe current government immigration policies have been reckless,
irresponsible and self-serving. Current Census numbers should serve as
a wake-up call to the highest level of our government.
It's time we address the needs of our legal immigrants to help them assimilate
and realize the American dream. Census data continue to show that their needs
are largely unmet. The high school dropout numbers for immigrants are devastating,
and many adults are consigned to a low-wage ghetto because they have not learned
elementary work-force survival skills, such as the ability to speak our
common language - English.
U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest,
largest citizens' action group dedicated to preserving
the unifying role of the English language in the United
States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of
California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.5 million
members nationwide.
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