The U.S. has entered a new era: we are on the warpath for change, any change. On Tuesday, registered democrats in Pennsylvania made clear that they wanted a changing of the guard when they voted to nominate Congressman Joe Sestak as their candidate for U.S. Senate, rather than re-nominate the incumbent, Senator Arlen Specter, a Senator with a proven record of supporting immigrant rights and issues in our Commonwealth and throughout the United States, even when his positions taken were unpopular.

It was a tough race, made tougher by Senator Specter’s frank statements which were used against him to portray him, albeit unfairly, as an opportunist who switched parties to “save his job”. Nothing could be further from the truth: Senator Specter switched parties to make sure that his voice, generally one of reason and moderation, could still be heard in the Senate and that laws good for the people of America rather than one political party would be passed.

Senator Specter, who has battled cancer twice and at age 80 is clearly (and naturally to be expected) slowing down, now hands over the reins to Congressman Joe Sestak, whose immigration record is untested. Had Senator Specter been re-nominated (assuming that he remained healthy), he would have been a fearless advocate for immigration reform. After all, when you’re 80, have served in Congress for over 4 decades and have survived two bouts with cancer, who and what is left for you to truly fear? However, our fearless immigration advocate has been forcibly retired and “new blood”, Congressman Sestak, now steps into his shoes. From an immigration perspective they are very large shoes to fill and we, the immigrant community in the greater Delaware Valley area, must help him to fill them by supporting him in his Senate bid.

Congressman Sestak faces off against Republican candidate Toomey (whose anti- immigrant and immigration record is well known) in November. If we are to have any chance of comprehensive and meaningful immigration reform Toomey would not be the man to support or push it through. Congressman Sestak needs our help to win this election. He also needs our help to teach him how to “package” a palatable immigration legislation package without fear of losing his hopefully “new” job. Congressman Sestak needs to hear from and know that the Latino community and its friends  in the greater Delaware Valley area supports him and that if he is strong enough, he will be able to change millions of lives for the better with a single piece of well-crafted immigration legislation.

As we mourn the loss of a dedicated Senator we must also look towards the future, with eyes filled with hope. Congressman Sestak, it’s your turn now: if (when) you win the Pennsylvania Senate seat in November, with the help of the Latino community and its supporters, please do not forget us, the thousands who have paid taxes for well over 20 years, despite lack of legal status and whose “Dream Act” children have now graduated from High School (with their dreams for a future in their adopted country of America since infancy still only a dream).  Make our dreams for a stronger, more inclusive America a reality and show us that you, the new generation, can make the legacy seeds of immigration change planted and watered by Senator Specter fully bloom, to the benefit of all in our country.