The White House and members of Congress must move quickly on enacting a just and humane immigration reform package that will reunite families, reinvigorate the economy, and remove the term “illegal or undocumented immigrants” from the dialogue in this country. Ethnic media, which reaches over 60 million adults in the United States, calls on Congress to move decisively on immigration reform because there are few issues as important to the nation’s well-being as an overhaul of the inefficient, inhumane and economically debilitating immigration system.

More importantly, we are also urging our readers and viewers to contact their Senators and Congressmen and let them know that immigration reform must be a national priority.

The immigration system is broken not just for 12 million undocumented immigrants, but also for specialized workers blocked from joining the American economy because of narrow quotas, and mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens who must wait for years before being reunited with their families.

Our nation needs comprehensive immigration policies that will replace a broken system of raids and roundups with one that protects all workers from exploitation, improves America’s security and builds strong communities. It’s time to end the division between workers, which has allowed big business to exploit both sides. Clearly, working-class citizens and immigrant workers have much in common – dreams of better homes, education for their families and quality health care.

There is more that brings us together, than separates us. United we can be a strong force for change, changes that that bring more workforce safety and humane conditions.

From WORD Archive of 2007 May Day Celebration at Union Square

Immigration is often portrayed as an explosive, divisive issue. In reality it’s not. Since the repeal of the national origins quota system in 1965, which discriminated against certain immigrants, a consensus has been building towards an immigration system that respects the country’s core values. These include economic opportunity, equality under the law regardless of ethnic background, and an embrace of the world’s most innovative, energetic and ambitious workers.

Now, with the country facing serious competition from workers abroad, it’s more important than ever to create a world-class immigration system. It’s for the good for families, good for communities and good for America.

For the first time, New America Media is asking ethnic media across the country with whom we work to take a collective editorial stand on an issue that directly impacts the lives of millions of our audiences: Immigration reform.

When 450 ethnic media colleagues joined New America Media at its EXPO in Atlanta earlier this month, we unveiled a new national poll showing that ethnic media had increased its audience by 16 percent in the last four years. With mainstream media in trouble, and the country undergoing a period of economic crisis, ethnic media is being called upon not only to inform but also to engage our communities in the democratic process.

Today ethnic media reach 60 million adult Americans. Imagine using our collective strength to send a joint message to Congress and the White House. New America Media has written an editorial calling for urgent immigration reform. It is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Arabic. Please consider including this editorial in your online, print or broadcast outlet. This is a unique opportunity for ethnic media to be heard on a critical national issue.

We plan to announce on Monday, June 29 how many news outlets in our network are simultaneously publishing the editorial that week. Please join us in bringing our collective voice to national attention as a key sector in American journalism.

Please contact my colleagues Marcelo Ballvé (mballve@newamericamedia.org) or Sandip Roy (sroy@newamericamedia.org) to get the op-ed. We hope you will include it in your outlet, whether in print, broadcast or online, the week of June 29th.