New TV Ad Campaign Shows Continued Momentum For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Five Figure Ad Buy Calls for Reform in Line With Schumer-Graham Framework

Washington D.C. – Building on important developments in immigration last week—with Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) outlining their forthcoming bipartisan immigration proposal; the White House and Senators Reid, Leahy, and Durbin expressing support for action this year; and hundreds of thousands of people rallying on the national mall—America’s Voice is launching a five-figure ad campaign to continue the drumbeat for reform in 2010.

The ad highlights the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform to American workers and taxpayers, and calls on leaders in Washington to advance a practical solution to ending illegal immigration. Decades without rational immigration reform have created a severely broken immigration system and a second class of workers who are exploited by unscrupulous employers. By legalizing undocumented workers and leveling the playing field in the workplace, comprehensive immigration reform will add $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy, drive up wages for all workers, and support nearly a million jobs.

The America’s Voice ad campaign begins as Washington is looking toward the 2010 elections. The ad reminds politicians that “Leadership isn’t about scoring points, It's about both parties stepping up and working together to solve tough problems.” The Schumer-Graham effort is exactly the type of bipartisan leadership the country is asking for, and members of both parties are urged to follow suit. In 2008, candidates supporting comprehensive immigration reform beat immigration hardliners in 20 out of 22 competitive races tracked by America’s Voice, and the trend is likely to continue in 2010.

Not only do American voters across the board support comprehensive immigration reform, butLatino voters see this as a defining issue and are looking for leadership from both political parties. They are also poised to make a difference in more than forty close races in twelve states across the nation.

“Conventional wisdom has proven wrong time and again on immigration reform, as it was with health care,” said Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice. “These new ads call on our political leaders to step up and do what is right for the economy and American families, rather than continue down the path of partisan politics that offers no solutions and no leadership. Momentum is growing and now is the time for action on comprehensive immigration reform that levels the playing field, restores the rule of law, and brings more workers and employers onto the tax rolls.”

The five-figure ad campaign is paid for by America’s Voice and launches Wednesday, March 24 in Washington, DC.

Click here to view the television ad

Ad Buy Script: ITS TIME

Leadership isn't about scoring points –

It's about both parties stepping up and working together to solve tough problems.

Part of fixing the economy is fixing our broken immigration system.

That means securing our borders...

– cracking down on employers who cheat on payroll taxes and exploit cheap labor...

– and requiring workers in the U.S. illegally to pass background checks...

– study English...

– and pay taxes before becoming full U.S. citizens.

It’s time to end illegal immigration –