Gov. Jay Inslee delivered remarks today in Seattle congratulating 60 new U.S. citizens following the 36th Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony, recognizing that they are welcome in Washington and challenging them to be active participants in our democracy. The governor celebrated the occasion with a number of other elected officials, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, as well as Chief Judge Ricardo Martinez and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director Anne Corsano.
“The United States has been and will always be the greatest hope in the world as long as we continue to embrace this infusion of hope and spirit and vision and energy that these new citizens now represent,” Inslee said.
Separately, the governor delivered a letter to Congressional leadership today calling for comprehensive immigration reform. He urged Congress to use any legislative means necessary, including budget reconciliation. In his letter, Gov. Inslee underscored the troubled history for many immigrants in the United States, who are “categorically excluded from nearly all social programs, and unable to safely assert their civil rights” all while providing indispensable benefits to our nation. He further stressed that even though Congress and past presidents have undertaken efforts to shape our nation’s immigration policies, a far broader effort is needed.