Rep. Takano Formally Invites President Obama to the Inland Empire to Discuss Immigration Reform

Washington DC – Earlier this week, it was reported that President Obama is considering traveling the country to discuss comprehensive immigration reform with American citizens.

 

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) sent a letter formally inviting the President to the Inland Empire to speak with residents about the benefits of immigration reform.

 

 

Dear Mr. President:

 

I understand that you are considering traveling around the United States to explain, inform, and answer questions from the American people about comprehensive immigration reform and why it is so important to this country. Should you decide to do so, I invite you to visit California’s Inland Empire, part of which I represent in the 41st Congressional District of California.

 

The Inland Empire is home to roughly 1 million immigrants – nearly a quarter of its total population – 260,000 of whom are undocumented. Those undocumented immigrants make up eight percent of the workforce and over one-third of the agriculture sector workforce. Fourteen percent of children in the Inland Empire, or about 175,000, have at least one parent who is an undocumented immigrant, and they are almost one and a half times more likely than those with a documented parent to be in poverty.

 

If the Senate’s immigration reform bill is passed, the aggregate income of the Inland Empire will be boosted by as much as $711 million. Needless to say, comprehensive immigration reform is critical for this region.

 

The Inland Empire is a perfect example of why comprehensive immigration reform is needed, and having you speak with my constituents will be a great benefit.

 

I hope you will join us.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

MARK TAKANO

Member of Congress

 

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