Coalition Launches Media Campaign For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Campaign for Community Change

For Immediate Release May 15, 2007

Contact:

Marcela Diaz, 505-670-9301

Cheryl Aguilar, 202-360-7867

Sen. Domenici and Sen. Bingaman: “We need your leadership
on comprehensive immigration reform”

Albuquerque, NM – Today, at a press conference in front of Senator Domenici’s Albuquerque office, the Campaign for Community Change launched a new phase in the campaign to get comprehensive immigration reform passed this year. The Campaign, joined by representatives from Somos Un Pueblo Unido, New Mexico Federation of Labor- AFL-CIO, New Mexico Conference of Churches, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico, EL CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), unveiled plans for a media campaign urging Senators Domenici and Bingaman to lead the charge for bipartisan legislation that balances stronger border security with common sense reform – including family reunification, respect for worker rights and a pathway to citizenship. The Senate is expected to begin debate on immigration reform legislation this week.

“New Mexico's rich and diverse heritage gives Senators Domenici and Bingaman a unique perspective on immigration,” said David Kimball of the Campaign for Community Change. “Their leadership on this issue can help pass bipartisan legislation that balances stronger border security with common sense reform — including family reunification, respect for worker rights and a pathway to citizenship.”

The New Mexico media campaign is part of a nationwide effort to pressure members of Congress, in both parties, who are essential to passing comprehensive immigration reform in Congress. As the Senate prepares to debate immigration this week, immigrant advocacy groups have stepped up their efforts to urge Congress to reach a bi-partisan consensus on comprehensive immigration reform. This campaign builds on the work of allied organizations that launched similar campaigns in Florida and Pennsylvania, and will continue as needed in coming weeks.

“We are here today to tell Senators Domenici and Bingaman, the President, and politicians of any party, that failure to address one of the nation’s most pressing issues will come at a heavy price. Do not turn your back on the immigrant and American families you championed last year” said Socorro Ríos of Somos Un Pueblo Unido
“As a state and nation with a proud immigrant tradition, how can we deny hope, dignity and opportunity to a new generation of hard-working families seeking a better future? Immigration is an important issue to New Mexicans — and we look to our Senators to take a just and principled stand,” concluded Ríos.

The print ad calling on Senators Domenici and Bingaman to support comprehensive immigration reform can be viewed at:

http://www.immigrationmovement.org/campaign/ [SAME LINK FOR THIS AD?]

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The Campaign for Community Change is a 501 C-4 organization working to elevate the profile of issues of concern to low-income and immigrant communities and communities of color—economic, social, and racial justice; educate and empower these communities—person by person—to influence the public policies that affect their lives.