December 1, 2014
Twenty-five mayors from around the country have formed a coalition to support and help implement President Obama's executive action on immigration.
Members of Cities United for Immigration Action said they will work to put the executive action Obama announced last month into effect on the local level, push for congressional action on immigration reform and rally grassroots support.
Twenty-three mayors, including New York's Bill de Blasio, Los Angeles's Eric Garcetti, Houston's Annise Parker and the District's Vincent C. Gray have joined the group.
"The president's action on immigration will strengthen our cities. It will keep families together, grow our economies and foster additional community trust in law enforcement," the mayors said in a statement. "We are ready -- and together we're rolling up our sleeves to turn this policy into a better reality for millions of hardworking people in the communities we serve."
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said he is a "firm believer in the power of cities taking control of their future," and that mayors who work together strengthen their cities.
"Immigrants in Pittsburgh today mirror the same drive that was true generations ago with the arrival of Irish, Italian, Polish, German, and many others who helped to build our city, and our country," Peduto said in a statement. "Our city's resiliency and can-do work ethic carries on in new immigrants who are opening small businesses such as grocery stores and retail shops, launching careers in our budding tech start-up industry, and setting roots across our city."