Conn. Hispanic leaders call for immigration reform

AP Modified

Updated: Mar 16, 2013 12:52 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The state Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission is calling on Congress and the Connecticut legislature to pass immigration-related bills.

The commission has scheduled a news conference with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Monday morning at the state Capitol in Hartford.

Commission members say they'll deliver a letter to Blumenthal to share with Congress, urging federal lawmakers to pass a comprehensive immigration bill. The commission supports creating a path to citizenship, strengthening border security, cracking down on employers that hire illegal workers and improving the legal immigration system.

The panel also will urge state lawmakers to approve a bill allowing illegal immigrants to get state driver's licenses. Supporters of the bill say it will make roads safer by requiring immigrants to take driver tests and allowing them to get car insurance.

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