Chicago, Illinois – Faith and community leaders along with immigrant advocates from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) joined in response to the continuation of futile enforcement-only policies. Participants announced two weeks of actions that will take place in 7 of Illinois congressional districts including Dan Lipinski’s (IL-3), Luis Gutierrez’ (IL-4), Mike Quigley’s (IL-5), Melissa Bean’s (IL-8), Jan Schakowsky’s (IL-09), Mark Kirk’s (IL-10) and Bill Foster’s (IL-14.)

As part of the national campaign Reform Immigration FOR America, thousands will be mobilized in a series of vigils, town hall meetings, and rallies to challenge members of Congress and the Administration to deliver just and humane immigration reform and to stop enforcement failed strategies. “Our immigration system is in pressing need of reform,” said the Reverend Sandra Castillo, President of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. “Harsh, punitive policies are separating families and creating economic turmoil instead of bringing real solutions.”

Although President Obama discusses the need for reform, his Administration is expanding some of these policies. “Faith leaders, community members and advocates representing the diversity of this state and this country are here today to send a clear and loud message to the administration, we need ‘Immigration Solutions not Senseless Deportations’,” said Jane Ramsey, Executive Director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. “The expansion of broken laws will only inflict further pain on immigrant families and communities.”

“The people of Chinatown and the Asian community in general are seeing many families separated due to both huge backlogs to unite families, and because a path towards citizenship for the undocumented is needed for our nation’s benefit,” said Esther Wong, Executive Director of the Chinese American Service League.

Speakers included Father Tony Pizzo from St. Rita of Cascia Church, member of Priests for Justice for Immigrants and a leader with the South West Organizing Project, Ousama Jammal from the Mosque Foundation, Arcadio Delgado from the Confederacion de Mexicanos en el Exterior, Young Sun Song from the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, Reverend Sandra Castillo from Nuestra Señora de las Américas and leader of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy from the Sisters of Mercy, Rosalía Lavariega leader at St. Joseph Church in Harvard, IL, Jane Ramsey from the Jewish Council of Urban Affairs and Jose Luis Gutierrez from Casa Michoacán. They described each of the events planned and reiterated their support for just and humane immigration reform highlighting the importance of community participation and the essential role of the communities they represent.

The following is the list of actions that will take place starting next Wednesday:

1. Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform: Wednesday August 19 at 7pm at Mosque Foundation Community Center 7260 W 93rd St, Bridgeview, IL (Congressman Lipinski, IlL-3) Contact: Maureen Fitzpatrick South West Organizing Project 773-471-8208 ext. 19

2. Rally outside Congressman. Lipinski’s office to urge his support for just and humane immigration reform: August 21 at 1pm 6245 South Archer Av. Chicago, IL Contact: Rosi Carrasco Latino Organization of the Southwest 773-925-0397

3. Asian Town Hall Meeting: August 22 at 1pm Salvation Army Church, 5020 N Pulaski, Chicago, IL Contact: Sung Yeon Choimorrow Asian American Institute 773-271-0899 (with Congressman Mike Quigley, IL-5, and Congressman Jan Schakowsky, IL-9)

4. Prayer vigil for immigration reform: August 22 at 7:30 pm at Kimball Avenue Church, 2324 N. Kimball Ave. Chicago, IL Contact: Monica Garreton Logan Square Neighborhood Association 773 384-4370 ext.14 (Cong. Luis Gutierrez, Il.-4)
5. Press Conference with Elected Officials in support for workable solutions for broken immigration system: August 24 at 11am at ICIRR 55 E. Jackson Blvd. Suite 2075, Chicago, IL Contact: Catherine Salgado 312-344-2239
6. Prayer Vigil in support of immigration reform: August 26 at 6pm Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 620 S. Fifth St, Aurora, IL Contact: Mireya Luna Family Focus, 331-452-8445 (Congressman Bill Foster, IL-14)

7. Prayer Vigil to urge for the end of detention, deportations and enforcement only strategies and to highlight the urgent need for just and humane immigration reform: August 30 at 8pm at McHenry County Jail Detention Center, 2200 North Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL Contact: Ere Rendon 815-715-1577 (Congresswoman Melissa Bean, IL-8)

8. Press Conference, roll out of Spanish language paid media ads targeting Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10): August 31 at 11 am at ICIRR 55 E. Jackson Blvd. Suite 2075, Chicago, IL Contact: Catherine Salgado 312-344-2239
9. Vigil outside Congressman Kirk’s office to urge his support immigration reform including legalization for the undocumented: August 31 at 3pm at 707 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, IL 60062 Contact: Juan Jose Gonzalez ICIRR 609-647-8461

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a state wide coalition of 130organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.
For more information about ICIRR visit our website www.icirr.org or call Catherine Salgado at 312.332.7360 ext. 235

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