Statement of Terry O’Sullivan General President of LIUNA

On Obama Administration’s Halt to Deportation of Some Child Immigrants Washington, D.C. (June 15, 2012) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today on the Obama Administration’s Executive Order affecting some undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children:

LIUNA, a union built by immigrant families who have helped build America, applauds the Obama Administration Executive Order which will allow some undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the country.

It is a matter of fairness and the principles for which our nation stands. Children who did not choose to enter or remain in the U.S. illegally, who have earned a high school education or served in our military, who are contributing to our nation and have no criminal history deserve the opportunity to continue their lives here. They should not be forced to live in fear of deportation.

LIUNA has long supported the DREAM Act and this policy change moves our country closer to the Act’s goals. We call on Congress to overcome its partisan blockage of both the full Dream Act and the long-term solution to immigration issues, which is adoption of comprehensive
immigration reform.