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SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. (March 24, 2006) –
The Hindu American Foundation today joined numerous faith-based
groups in urging President George W. Bush and elected leaders
in Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation
that establishes a safe and humane immigration system consistent
with American values as well as the values espoused by all
the diverse faith traditions practiced in the Unites States.
The statement, which quoted from Christian,
Hindu, Jewish and Muslim scriptures to highlight how all faiths
regard charity and kindness to strangers as among the highest
virtues, has been signed by over fifty national and over one
hundred local faith-based organizations, along with a number
of prominent individual leaders.
“There is a need for a fair and equitable
immigration legislation that respects the God-given dignity
of every individual and his family while also protecting America’s
economic and national security interests”, said Swaminathan
Venkataraman, member of Hindu American Foundation’s
Executive Council. “Hindus are one of the most highly
educated and prosperous immigrant communities in the US and
we desire that the enormous opportunities that this nation
affords should remain open to immigrants in future”,
he said.
The statement calls for legislation that
supports regularization of existing workers upon satisfaction
of reasonable criteria, reduced waiting times for reunification
of separated families, legal avenues for workers and their
families who wish to migrate to the U.S. and border protection
policies that treat all individuals with respect while also
allowing authorities to prevent entry of terrorists and dangerous
criminals. The full text of the statement can be found at:
http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/pdf/Interfaith%20Immigration%20Reform%20Statement.pdf
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3), non-partisan organization, promoting the Hindu
and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
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