Statement of LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan

Washington, D.C. (January 15, 2015) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today regarding yesterday’s U.S. House of Representatives vote to revoke President Obama’s executive order to provide immigration relief as an amendment to a Department of Homeland Security Funding Bill:

It is a great disappointment that instead of taking real action on immigration reform, the U.S. House of Representatives included anti-immigrant amendments in an attempt to dismantle the President’s Executive Order which would provide some relief to immigrant families. Tying the attack on immigration relief to continued funding of our nation’s security is offensive and irresponsible. 

LIUNA has long been a fierce advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.  We are a union founded by immigrants and believe that the fight for immigrant rights is not just critical for immigrant workers, but for all workers.  Protecting immigrants from the threat of exploitation and deportation will help raise the living standards of all workers. 

In 2013, we strongly supported the Senate’s bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation.  Unfortunately, politics have trumped the need for real reform.

Comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship, includes border security, levels the playing field for honest employers and allows everyone in America – immigrants and non-immigrants – to work free from harassment, intimidation or exploitation is urgently needed. 

 Congress should start working as soon as possible to pass comprehensive immigration that provides a path to citizenship or a way to address future immigration that protects all workers and stop playing politics with people’s lives.

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.