Washington, DC — May 6, 2010

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated urges the U.S. Congress to take on comprehensive immigration reform as its next legislative priority. As the contributions of the Latino community to the economic, social, cultural and political well being of the U.S. become ever more evident, the passage of comprehensive immigration reform has gained paramount importance. Undoubtedly, the way we choose to treat immigrants and to approach their integration into U.S. society holds important implications for the future progress of the country as a whole.

La Unidad Latina also urges Congress to pass the DREAM Act as part of comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The DREAM Act would allow qualifying undocumented youth to become eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service. In discussing the organization’s support of the DREAM Act the Chairman of La Unidad Latina’s Board of Trustees, Jose Contreras, stated that, "We recognize the importance of education and the need for skilled professionals to contribute to the nation's recovering economy. We also understand the importance of serving our country by protecting its national security. What better way to earn citizenship than by gaining an education or defending your country, and clearly demonstrating that you are a productive member of our society."

Federal leadership is required to address the inconsistencies of current policies and to ensure that our treatment of immigrants is aligned with America's best values and traditions of freedom, justice, opportunity and responsibility. The current void in federal leadership with regard to creating fair, consistent and logical immigration laws that respect human rights and promote the security of our nation is leading states and localities to take drastic and draconian measures exemplified recently by the enactment of the Arizona State Bill 1070.

"La Unidad Latina condemns the Arizona State Bill 1070 because it contains provisions that grant local law enforcement officers the ability to arrest – without a warrant - anybody they have probable cause to believe is an undocumented immigrant,” said Maxi Arias, the President of the Organization’s National Council. "We believe this legislation will only lead to racial profiling and discriminatory policies that fuel hatred and divisiveness in our society. Until the U.S. Congress enacts comprehensive immigration reform, other states and local jurisdictions will continue to enact similar laws to the detriment of our diverse nation,” added Mr. Arias.

As part of a series of efforts to raise awareness about the need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, La Unidad Latina has taken on the following actions:

• Tonight, in partnership with the New Latino Movement, La Unidad Latina will host "Trail of DREAMS: National Public Forum" at the Marvin Center on the George Washington University’s main campus in Washington, D.C. The public forum will feature the four courageous DREAM Walkers that have walked the 1,500 mile journey from Miami, FL to Washington, DC in order to promote the D.R.E.A.M. Act and Immigration Reform.   Event details can be found here: http://www.launidadlatina.org/event/trail-of-dreams-national-forum
• In direct response to Arizona SB1070, La Unidad Latina has heeded Representative Raul Grijalva’s (D-AZ) call to support an economic boycott of Arizona. To that end, La Unidad Latina’s President, Maxi Arias, informed the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) that La Unidad Latina will not attend the December 2010 meeting, held concurrently with the Association of Fraternal Advisors (AFA) conference, and currently scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Arizona.
• La Unidad Latina is also urging all of our members to sign on the the New Latino Movement's petition to "Take a Stand Against Arizona's SB1070":
  http://immigration.change.org/petitions/view/take_a_stand_against_arizonas_sb1070

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La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated was established on February 19, 1982 in order to address the shortcomings of academic institutions in meeting and addressing the needs of Latino students in higher education. Founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated primarily seeks to take a leadership role in meeting the needs of the Latino community through academic excellence, community service, and promotion of the Latino culture and people.

For more information on La Unidad Latina please visit: http://www.launidadlatina.org