For immediate Release: Press Release

For more information contact:

• Catherine Salgado, 312.332.7360 Ext. 235
• Luvia Quiñones, 312.332.7360 Ext. 212

Advocates urged legislators to support funding and bills that address the immigrant community

Springfield, IL. Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – Over 300 participants, including immigrant advocates, community and religious leaders from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and 200 new American citizens, convened in the State Capitol to lobby for fair legislation that would have a great impact on the immigrant community all across the state.

In a welcoming ceremony, that took place at the auditorium of the Howlett building, new citizens from the Asian, Polish, Muslim, and Latino communities were recognized by the Governor’s office for taking a step towards becoming active participants in the civic life of this country. The celebration included Joshua Hoyt, Executive Director of ICIRR, Rep. Greg Harris (D-13) and key staff of the Governor’s office including Steve Guerra, Deputy Chief; Jose Luis Gutierrez, Director of the Office of the New Americans Policy and Advocacy; and Milly Santiago, Hispanic media and community relations manager along with Peter Viña, Deputy Director of Illinois Department of Public Aid, Agueda Corona, Director of Latino Hispanic Affairs in the Illinois Department of Human Services and Dan Karnatz, Illinois State Senate Republican Staff.

Following the ceremony, new citizens where recognized in the House of Representatives by Rep. Eddie Acevedo (D-2). Participants talked to their legislators about the need to continue supporting programs like the New Americans Initiative, the newly passed We Want to Learn English Initiative and the Outreach and Interpretation project. Advocates and leaders urged legislators to push forward the Access to Religious Ministry Act (HB 2747) that would allow reasonable access of religious leaders to immigrant detainees. “We are very grateful for the commitment that Gov. Blagojevich and his staff have made to the immigrant community,” said Joshua Hoyt, ICIRR Executive Director. “Immigrants are an essential part of the social, economic and civic fabric of this state. We are confident that Governor Blagojevich will continue supporting initiatives that would address key issues that immigrants care about, like learning English, becoming citizens, and ensuring humane treatment for detainees at immigrant detention centers.”

The day ended with a tour of the Executive Mansion, where new citizens were able to learn more about the history and politics of the state. “It was great to be part of such a productive day. We talked to our representatives and told them about the importance of increasing funding to programs like the New Americans Initiative, which helped me to become a citizen of this country,” said Yuri Carbajal, new citizen and resident of Waukegan. “I am very proud of being a new American citizen and I know there are many more like me that really want to be fully participants of the democracy of this country.”

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