U.S. Representatives Present Progressive Principles for Upcoming Immigration Reform Bill
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October 13, 2009
U.S. Capitol Event Drives Home Message: Don't Break Up Our Families
Today, thousands of families, clergy, community members and supporters gathered in Washington D.C. for a vigil to renew the push for comprehensive immigration reform in the 111th Congress. Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), flanked by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), and Congressional Black Caucus Member Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), presented the outline of a progressive immigration reform bill he is crafting and planning to introduce in the coming weeks. During the day and over the weekend, events across the country and local district visits marked the occasion and underscored the national urgency behind immigration reform. The following is a statement by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR):
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is pleased about the announcement today by members of Congress. This announcement shows their strong commitment for real solutions that will address the problems faced by families, students and workers who currently live in the shadows. Our nation is in urgent need to reform our broken immigration system. The hundreds of families, who were part of the events in D.C. and locally today, show the pressing need to reform the broken system that is devastating communities and hurting our nation.
Specifically, the forthcoming immigration reform legislation will:
- Include a rational and humane approach to the undocumented population;
- Protect U.S. and immigrant workers;
- Allocate sufficient visas to close unlawful migration channels;
- Enhance our nation's security and safety;
- Establish a strategic border enforcement policy that reflects American values;
- Keep American families together;
- Promote immigrant integration;
- Include the DREAM Act and AgJOBS; and
- Protect fundamental rights for all.
ICIRR thanks the leadership of Cong. Gutierrez and praises his work in bringing urgency to the issue by presenting these principles. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, immigrants across Illinois, and our faith, labor, and business allies will continue to push for the end of raids and deportations that are separating our families and terrorize our communities, and to enact immigration reform this year. Our nation needs to pass just and humane immigration reform that upholds our nation values and moves us forward together.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a state wide coalition of over 100 organizations 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, visit ICIRR’s website at www.icirr.org or call Catherine Salgado at 312.332.7360 ext. 235
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