AMES – A UFCW Local 222 representative, Nick Harrington, participated in a roundtable discussion Friday along with DREAMers, faith and business leaders. Senators Tom Harkin and Dick Durbin (IL) moderated the forum.
Harrington called for Rep. King to support a vote now on bipartisan immigration reform. He said that 70% of the members in his local are Latino or immigrants. “They pay their taxes just like I do. They are working for a better life for their families. just like me.” said Harrington. “Immigration reform will improve the standard of living for all workers. Reform must not piecemeal and incremental, it must be comprehensive and timely.”
Iowa AFL-CIO President Ken Sagar was in attendance and said that Rep. King’s recent remarks were not reflective of the mainstream here in Iowa. “By a large majority, Iowans support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. Americans deserve a vote on immigration reform – it is disappointing that Rep. King chooses divisive and unfair rhetoric instead of the sort of bipartisan leadership that we need.”