The Hill News

A coalition of groups favoring immigration reform launched a series of Spanish-language radio ads Tuesday to highlight what they characterize as Republican obstructionism on major administration-backed reform measures.

The Service Employees International Union, along with America's Voice and Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign, spent $300,000 to air the ad in nine markets where Latino voters represent key constituencies. 

One part of the ad specifically highlights last week's Republican filibuster of a defense authorization bill that included a provision â€" known as the DREAM Act â€" that would allow children of illegal immigrants to gain the status of permanent legal residents.

"Who opposed this bill? Who wants to quash our dreams? Republicans … The same people who opposed the extension of unemployment benefits," the ad states.

It will run in Phoenix, Tuscon, Denver, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, Houston ! and McAllen, Texas.

SEIU Secretary Treasurer Eliseo Medina said in a statement Tuesday that the ads take a view toward the midterms.

"Last week, the same Republicans who have rallied their support behind Arizona's ‘papers please’ law made a clear choice to crush the dreams of tens of thousands of high-achieving immigrant youth," he said. "Today, it is critical that our community understands who is on their side and what is at stake if we do not hold our elected leaders accountable in November.”