Washington, DC – The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today called on the Senate leadership on both sides of the aisle to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform when Congress returns from its spring recess next week.

“We were very disappointed that the Senate left Washington without completing work on an immigration bill,” stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “We know this is a difficult issue, but there has been too much focus on finger-pointing and not enough on how to move forward on this critically important issue.”

“It is very important not only to the Latino community but to the country that the Senate take up this issue as quickly as possible when they return to Washington,” she continued. “The Senate has made real progress on comprehensive immigration reform, and I believe there is still a way for a good bill to pass the Senate and make its way to the President’s desk without the negative enforcement-only provisions passed by the House last December.”

Noting that, in the two weeks since the Senate left for its recess, immigrant and Latino communities and their supporters have mobilized throughout the country in peaceful rallies of historic size, Murguía said, “Immigrants and their coworkers, religious leaders, and neighbors have sent a powerful message to Congress. They want an immigration system that works and that allows them to become Americans. We will hold both parties accountable as to whether or not they realize these laudable goals.”

Murguía concluded, “If immigration reform is going to become a reality, it will require a bipartisan effort. We call on our leaders on both sides of the aisle to work together to get the job done.”