The day after the election, many top Republicans made statements in support of comprehensive immigration reform. With rising Latino participation in elections, they see the need to work across the aisle for true reform to a broken system.
Those behind a new super PAC want to make sure they are successful. The group, Republicans for Immigration Reform, was formed to give political cover to Republicans willing to support bipartisan immigration reform proposals.
Currently, those who support such measures are attacked by members of their own party for being “soft.” For example, when Speaker John Boehner came out in support of a comprehensive approach just days after the election, he received such criticism from his own party that days later, his statements reflected only border security.
Republicans for Immigration Reform was formed to change that attitude, and to help those who make commitments for comprehensive reform hold on to their positions. The founders of the group, Carlos Gutierrez and Charlie Spies, hope that their campaign will help Republicans stay relevant in a shifting demographic.
“There’s currently only energy on the anti-immigration reform side, and we want to be able to provide some cover for Republicans that vote in support of an immigration reform approach,” Spies stated.
His co-founder Gutierrez echoed his sentiments: “We’re serious, and we are going to push the debates on immigration reform to a place where I believe the Republican Party should be in the 21st century.”
Janelle Tupper is Campaigns Assistant for Sojourners.
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