State of the Union 2015: Latinos Respond

"State of the Union 2015 Response: National Groups Respond to Obama on Immigration, Economy, Climate Change and Racial Inequality"
By: Michael Oleaga
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/33050/20150121/state-union-2015-address-response-national-groups-respond-president-obama.htm
Source: Latin Post

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) embraced Obama’s efforts to improve the economy and education for Latinos and all other Americans. NALEO declared in a statement that the policies presented by Obama will allow more and more Latinos to rebound and recover from the economic troubles that they have been experiencing in recent years and “pursue their piece of the American Dream, resulting in a more skilled work force and an expanded middle class that is able to do their fair share and fully contribute to our nation’s prosperity” (Oleaga, 1). When addressing immigration, NALEO said passing a widespread and extensive immigration reform would benefit undocumented immigrants and help them assimilate with life in the U.S. and contribute to the developing economy. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest organization made up of unions, applauded the president for promoting and encouraging working families. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said that Obama’s focus on raising wages and his embrace of union apprentices and immigrants who want to achieve the American Dream “sent the right message at the right time” (Oleaga, 1). Trumka believes that income inequality continues to be one of the principal challenges, and it is time for Congress to address minimum wage. On climate change, Executive Director or 350.org May Boeve said that this year’s State of the Union address was a vast improvement compared to previous speeches. Center for Popular Democracy Co-Executive Director Ana Maria Archila commended Obama’s progress but said a “range of daunting crises still exists for U.S. workers, communities of color and immigrants” (Oleaga, 1). Archila complains that the president’s speech barely tackled racial inequalities and the discriminatory policing that threatens too many neighborhoods of color. Archila acknowledged Obama’s stress for a higher federal minimum wage, child care, and paid sick leave for working families. "We commend the president for speaking from the right place and with the right intentions. We will continue to fight to build an innovative, pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic agenda. The work ahead of us is real, and we are moving forward," finished Archila.

            Articles like these are important because Americans need to realize that the president needs to address all communities and present the best policy to try to benefit all populations as much as possible. Immigrants, especially Latinos, make up a significant part of the Unites State’s population, therefore, it is essential that their necessities are taken care of just as much as others’.