Coalition Launches Renewed

Effort to Fight for Senate

Action

June 14, 2007       
                                             
Washington, DC – The Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) today announced a series of upcoming activities that signal the renewed effort to secure passage of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States Congress this year.  The recent setback in the Senate has only served to motivate the broad-based coalition to fight harder for practical, workable immigration reform and has energized communities across the country to amplify the effort.

“Last week the Senate failed its duty to secure our borders, strengthen security, and uphold the values of strong family and honest work that at the heart of our nation’s ideals.  This week, we renew our commitment to pass immigration reform and deliver on the promise of America,” said Clarissa Martinez, CCIR campaign manager. “Every US Senator needs to know that we will not rest until they solve America’s number one domestic issue:  immigration reform.  And they will see a flurry of activity that will remind them that this problem will not go away, that the vast majority of Americans support reform, and that the immigrants who are a vital part of the fabric of this country should not live in the shadows of the nation.”

In addition to the events being organized by the coalition, pro-immigration reform forces from across the country promise an energetic demonstration of their resolve in the coming weeks.  Yesterday the Dreams Across America Tour kicked off its ten-city multi-state effort.  Over the next eight days (June 13 – 20th), the Tour will bring together one hundred diverse individuals from throughout the country who will dispel myths, share their compelling stories and urge action on comprehensive immigration reform. The tour will culminate in a series of activities in Washington DC.

Today, a group of bi-partisan members from the Senate and House will accept over 1 million letters signed by U.S. citizens and/or legal residents collected by Univision Radio personality Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, in collaboration with numerous organizations and small business in multiple states, during his cross-country trip to support the passage of a fair and just immigration reform bill this year.

On June 19, the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), joined by thousands of immigrant leaders and their allies, will be mobilizing in Washington, D.C. to call on Members of Congress to hold the higher moral ground on comprehensive immigration reform.  They are expecting thousands of people from 30 different states around the country to attend a rally and march for children and families.

Immigrant advocacy groups are not alone in raising their voices in support of passing comprehensive immigration reform this year.  Many members of the interfaith community, who have long been champions on the issue, are renewing their efforts as well.  This past Sunday, Catholic dioceses around the country took part in a day of prayer for immigration reform.  On Friday June 15, a gathering of 1000 evangelical leaders will take part in a Hispanic Evangelical Lobbying day on Capitol Hill and a National Prayer Breakfast that will be attended by President Bush.  The lobbying day is being organized by Religious leaders under the umbrella of Esperanza USA, an organization that represents over 10,000 churches from a wide range of denominations nationwide.

In Miami, members of the community, interfaith groups and immigrant advocates are holding prayer vigils every night to give members of Congress the resolve to put aside their political differences and work together.  In Texas, the Hispanic Evangelical Community will be holding a prayer rally on June 20 in front of the offices of Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison in support of comprehensive immigration reform. And immigrant and interfaith groups in Atlanta are calling for a day of prayer scheduled for June 21.

“Each of these events underscores the passion that people feel for finding a fair and effective solution to this issue,” said Martinez. “People are rising up to demand action and they will not rest until the Senate seizes the mantle of leadership and passes a good, fair and practical immigration bill.”

Coalition members have organized 292 activities in 21 states and Washington, DC since the Memorial Day Recess.  Since the beginning of the campaign in March, coalition members have hosted 892 field activities targeting members of Congress in 37 states.  The groups have been engaged in a range of grassroots activities including rallies, vigils, lobby meetings, letters, postcards, phone calls, opinion editorials, letters to the editor and canvassing, urging Members to continue to working to achieve workable solutions to our broken immigration system.
           
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The Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) is a campaign powered by the strategic, coordinated activities of immigrant advocacy, civil rights, faith-based and labor organizations across the United States and Capitol Hill.  Our central purpose is to achieve passage of workable comprehensive immigration reform legislation that serves our nation.