San Francisco, Nov. 2 : While recognizing the concerns of non-immigrants residing in the United States of America, the Democratic Party''s Vice Chairman Mike Honda has said that there is need for a comprehensive immigration reforms and his party would bring in such reforms if they were voted to power. 

Taking to ANI after attending an election campaign meeting for Barack Obama, in the Silicon Valley on Saturday, Congressman Honda said that it was for all Americans. 

Honda said: "The new policies, everything from economy, jobs, small business, education for our youngsters, not only pre-school but all college, making sure that college is affordable. Second, would be passing the dream Act. Lots of youngsters are here with parents without documents. If they (kids) have gone to school and gotten good grades and can go to college, they should be able to go to college without any worries. But having said that, one of the first things would be comprehensive immigration reform." 

He said: "We are going to make sure that 11 to 12 million undocumented people here are given a fair shake to make sure that they have a pathway to citizenship. They are all contributing right now. Let''s make it work for our country and for them. Healthcare, we have to have healthcare insurance for our children. We have to also make sure that protect civil right and correct all the mess that the past President has made in terms of setting aside our civil rights that are protected in our constitution."

Ash Kalra, who is a canditate from the San Jose City Council said: "There are issues of immigration, which is typically a federal issue. But one thing, we can do at the city level is really encourage the job growth because as you know whether it is because of the H1B program or other programs, they are opportunities for companies to still seek talented individuals, and lots of those talented individuals are coming from India. I look forward to working with our congressional delegation Congressman Mike Honda as well as Congress woman Zoe Lofgren, as well as folks at the local-level to do whatever I can to encourage the hiring of talented individuals, wherever they come from."

After Sept. 11, the half-a-million strong Sikh-Americans have faced lots of bigotry, violence and discrimination across the country. 

American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) along with many civil rights organizations has worked towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people.

Dr. Pritpal Singh, the coordinator of American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) said: " In last few years since Sept 11, our thinking pattern has fundamentally changed. Previously, we didn''t have issues, such as Sikh identity, Rights of Sikhs at the workplace, immigrant rights, and many other new issues have arisen over the last 
6-7 years that Sikhs wanted to be addressed. By and large, the Sikh community affiliates itself to the Democratic Party. We hope that the Democratic Presidential candidate will win. We are very optimistic that many of our issues will be resolved." 

Dr. Singh appreciated Mike Honda and said that Mike has always been a staunch supporter of our community. (ANI)