WASHINGTON – Below is a statement from Laura W. Murphy, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington Legislative Office, on passage of the Senate immigration reform bill.
"Today's vote moves our country one step closer to a path to citizenship for the millions of immigrants living in the shadows. While we are deeply troubled by the border militarization changes added at the eleventh hour, the bottom line is that this bill will make a real, substantive difference to the lives of millions of aspiring citizens.
"Over the coming weeks, the ACLU will pursue every avenue to have the problematic new border surge language removed, and to make other civil liberties improvements, before the bill heads to President Obama's desk. The ACLU will continue to work with the House to adopt legislation that will not compromise civil liberties and will provide a path to citizenship for the millions of immigrants who contribute every day to the vitality of our country. We're confident that continued public pressure will be instrumental in forcing the House to move forward on immigration reform."
Reposted from ACLU National