Senator Kennedy. Esther forged unlikely partnerships and found partners who were drawn to her passion. her sense of humanity. and her dedication. She was a key adviser for the comprehensive immigration reform bills of 2004. 2005. 2006. and 2007. Many of us remember Senator Kennedy turning to Esther during the 2007 negotiations not only so that he could seek her counsel. but so that other Senators could benefit from her expertise. EveryoneRepublicans. Democrats. advocates. journalistslistened. and everyone was better off for having Esther nearby. Esther. like her late boss. has always been driven by a deep commitment to making our communities stronger and more vibrant. She has advocated on behalf of immigrant children and she has fought to reform inhumane detention practices. And she has underscored the critical importance of the relationship between law enforcement and the immigrant community so that all our communities are safe. A Cuban immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 5. Esther has always sought to advance immigration policies rooted in the American values of fairness and family. Her life experiences as a child led her to a career in immigration law. first helping lowincome immigrants in Florida through direct client representation and by cofounding the notforprofit legal assistance organization Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. and then coming to Washington. DC. I have no doubt that Esther will continue to be an important adviser. but more importantly a devoted friend to so many who have been fortunate to know her.
Keywords matched
Immigrant immigration immigrant immigrants