Congressional Hispanic Caucus Family Unity Campaign

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has announced a national listening tour to hear testimony from families impacted by the nation’s broken immigration system. In cooperation with the faith-based community, the listening tour will take Members of the CHC to various churches and community centers nationwide, including; Providence, RI; Norcross, GA; San Francisco, CA; Dallas, TX; Joliet, IL; Miami, FL; and Philadelphia, PA. “As we prepared for this campaign, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and I held a community meeting in New York City to hear from those who feared they could be separated from a family member, friend or loved one,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chair of the CHC. “Many of the people we met relayed their stories and frustrations of dealing with a broken immigration system. We can no longer wait to take action that will help keep families in our communities together, and ensure a safe and secure nation.” This tour, called the “Family Unity” campaign, will consist of community meetings, prayer vigils and rallies for thousands of U.S. citizens, include wives and children, whose families have been or risk being torn apart by a broken immigration system. Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-04), Chair of the CHC’s Immigration Task Force, will take part in all but one of these sessions, joining Members of the CHC and other invited Members of Congress. “As a nation —as citizens— we cannot wait any longer for fair and20just immigration reform,” said Congressman Gutierrez. “Across America, parents and children, husbands and wives are being torn apart by a system that values quotas over family values and which undermines our economic security in a time of crisis. It is for this reason that U.S. citizens in each of these cities are joining this campaign and standing up for real, lasting change.” Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43) added, “America’s immigration system is broken, and we are all witness to the disastrous results and tragedy this has caused for too many families. By focusing on the very real human impact of this issue, the CHC’s Family Unity events can continue our work towards a comprehensive immigration reform that respects the laws of the land, but also respects our American values of family and hard work.”

Photos available – http://www.flickr.com/photos/25269883@N04/sets/72157614310221827/

When & Where: February 27, Providence, RI February 28, Atlanta, GA March 1, Albuquerque, NM March 7, Ontario, CA March 7, San Francisco, CA March 8, Phoenix, AZ March 13 El Paso, TX March 13, Los Angeles, CA* March 14, Dallas, TX March 15, Mission, TX March 21, Chicago, IL March 21, Joliet, IL March 22, Milwaukee, WI March 27, Las Vegas, NV March 28, Orlando, FL March 29, Miami, FL April 4, Philadelphia, PA

*The event in Los Angeles will not be attended by Rep. Gutierrez. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, and Rep. Linda Sanchez will attend.

KJ