Press Release

Gutierrez to Outline Core Principles of Immigration Bill at Oct. 13 Rally in Washington D.C.

October 9, 2009

Media Contact: Rebecca Dreilinger (202) 225-8203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington D.C.) On Tuesday, October 13, immigration advocacy groups from across the country will rally on Capitol Hill as Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) outlines the fundamental principles of a progressive, comprehensive immigration bill.

On September 17, the immigration advocacy community called upon Rep. Gutierrez to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives. In the weeks since, the Congressman has been actively talking to advocacy and civil rights groups, faith-based groups, labor groups and his colleagues on the Hill ­-- ­particularly members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) -- to identify the most essential components of such a comprehensive bill.

Who:

 

 

 

 

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Rep. Michael Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus  

What:

 

 

Immigration Rally & Outlining of Core Bill Principles

When:

  

 

3:00 pm Prayer Vigil
3:30 pm Statements to Press

Where:

West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol  

 

"I am overwhelmed by the support of immigrant, faith-based and community-based organizations in urging me to introduce comprehensive immigration legislation. I look forward to joining them on Tuesday so that I can share with them more specifically the key principles that will form the basis of such a bill," said Rep. Gutierrez.

"We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it," continued Rep. Gutierrez. "Saying immigration is a priority for this Administration or this Congress is not the same as seeing tangible action, and the longer we wait, the more every single piece of legislation we debate will be obstructed by our failure to pass comprehensive reform."

"We need a bill that says if you come here to hurt our communities, we will not support you; but if you are here to work hard and to make a better life for your family, you will have the opportunity to earn your citizenship.  We need a law that says it is un-American for a mother to be torn from her child, and it is unacceptable to undermine our workforce by driving the most vulnerable among us further into the shadows."

"I believe the support base for this kind of compassionate and comprehensive legislation is strong and far reaching, and I believe the votes are there to pass it. I have always said that immigration reform will not be easy; but it is time we had a workable plan working its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants to this country and that honors the American Dream."

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