Nearly Five Dozen U.S. Mayors Urge Presidential Hopefuls To Commit To Immigration Reform

Astrid Silva, an undocumented Mexican immigrant living in the U.S. addressed the Democratic convention on July 25, 2016 to urge for immigration reform.

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Weds. July 27, 2016: Fifty-seven U.S. mayors yesterday signed an open letter urging the Presidential candidates of both the Republican and Democratic Parties to commit to supporting immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, in the first 100 days of the next Presidency.

The call issued through Cities for Action comes as Republicans, led by their anointed nominee, Donald J. Trump, have ratcheted up the attacks against immigrants with an anti-immigrant message that includes banning Muslims from entering the U.S.; building a wall to keep out immigrants at the US’ southern border and deporting the 11 plus million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

“Our coalition of local governments represents over 55 million people from more than half the states in the nation.  We offer our unique perspective in support of immigration reform as leaders of the nation’s cities and counties – from large to small, in red states and blue states – where immigrant families live and thrive. Immigrants are our neighbors, our co-workers, and active members of our children’s schools and our faith communities. They contribute to our cities’ economic vitality in multiple ways, and bring rich social and cultural diversity to our streets,”  Cities for Action said in a statement.

Member of the New York Delegation as they cast the vote for the nomination of Hillary Clinton, during the roll call, at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Tuesday July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Mario B. Cabrera / Vision Fotos)

The group is urging immigration reform that:

Creates a broad, humane and timely path to citizenship

Supports local economic growth while protecting the rights and labor standards of all workers

Upholds immigrants’ due process rights and the rights of those seeking refuge

Offers robust local implementation and immigrant integration support”

Cities for Action is a coalition of over 100 cities and counties leading the effort to advance immigration reform and welcome new immigrants.

The mayors signing the open letter are as follows:

Kathy Sheehan, Mayor of Albany, NY

Allison Silberberg, Mayor of Alexandria, VA

Ed Pawlowski, Mayor of Allentown, PA
Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta, GA
Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin, TX
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor of Baltimore, MD
William A. Bell, Sr., Mayor of Birmingham, AL
Martin Walsh, Mayor of Boston, MA
Tony Martinez, Mayor of Brownsville, TX
Byron Brown, Mayor of Buffalo, NY
Lydia Lavelle, Mayor of Carrboro, NC
James Diossa, Mayor of Central Falls, RI
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, IL
Edward Terry, Mayor of Clarkston, GA
Robb Davis, Mayor of Davis, CA
Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver, CO
Luigi Boria, Mayor of Doral, FL
Mark Meadows, Mayor of East Lansing, MI
Karen Freeman-Wilson, Mayor of Gary, IN
Domenick Stampone, Mayor of Haledon, NJ
Dawn Zimmer, Mayor of Hoboken, NJ
Alex Morse, Mayor of Holyoke, MA
Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, TX
Steven M, Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City, NJ
Sly James, Mayor of Kansas City, MO
Madeline Rogero, Mayor of Knoxville, TN
Mark Stodola, Mayor of Little Rock, AR
Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach, CA
Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, CA
Paul Soglin, Mayor of Madison, WI
Daniel T. Drew, Mayor of Middletown, CT
Betsy Hodges, Mayor of Minneapolis, MN
Ike Leggett, County Executive of Montgomery County, MD
Toni Harp, Mayor of New Haven, CT
Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, NY
Libby Schaaf, Mayor of Oakland, CA
James F. Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia, PA
Greg Stanton, Mayor of Phoenix, AZ
William Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA
Adrian Mapp, Mayor of Plainfield, NJ
Charlie Hales, Mayor of Portland, OR
Elizabeth Lempert, Mayor of Princeton, NJ
Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence, RI
Thomas Butt, Mayor of Richmond, CA
Lovely Warren, Mayor of Rochester, NY
Jackie Biskupski, Mayor of Salt Lake City, UT
Edwin M. Lee, Mayor of San Francisco, CA
Rudy Molera, Chair of Santa Cruz County, AZ
Gary R. McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady, NY
Edward Murray, Mayor of Seattle, WA
Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor of Somerville, MA
Elizabeth Goreham, Mayor of State College, PA
Michael J. Ryan, Mayor of Sunrise, FL
Stephanie Miner, Mayor of Syracuse, NY
Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor of Tucson, AZ
Brian P. Stack, Mayor of Union City, NJ
Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Mike Spano, Mayor of Yonkers, NY.