Immigration Reform

One of the important aspects of El Zocalo's mission is to lobby and advocate for substantive immigration reform. This is especially important for Arkansas! Our immigrant population is growing and changing the population of Arkansas. This infographic from The Immigration Policy Center breaks down what that means for the state.



El Zocalo has signed onto the Reform Enforcement Caucus, which outlines the goals of several likeminded, immigrant advocate groups. This document addresses failures in the current system and suggests things to consider for meaningful reform. Highlights from the document are:

True reform means establishing a system that values migration, supports family unity, protects the rights of workers, promotes racial justice, ensures the health of our communities, and addresses the root causes of migration while preserving our basic American values. 

True reform must include a pathway to full citizenship for those currently living under threat of deportation as well as for those seeking to reunite with their families. Full citizenship means equal rights that include being a full participant in a free and vibrant society that works to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all. 

Legalization should aim to keep families together—including those family members who have had past contact with law enforcement. The pathway to citizenship should not become an excuse to further divide and criminalize immigrant communities

There are many places to find more information about specific goals and suggestions for immigration reform!
The Immigration Policy Center has tons of great information about immigration reform as well as health care, citizenship, and unemployment among immigrant populations.

The longer that the debate goes on, the more politicians come out for meaningful reform. Even conservative politicians, like Senator Rand Paul, have started to speak out against the penalizing focus of the system. Paul says:

“Basically what I want to do is to expand the worker visa program, have border security and then as far as how people become citizens, there already is a process for how people become citizens. The main difference is I wouldn’t have people be forced to go home. You’d just get in line. But you get in the same line everyone is in.”

Hopefully, we, as Americans will come to a consensus to help immigrants and treat them with the same dignity that we treat natural born citizens!