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Press Release

National Leaders Urge For Congressional Immigration Hearings in the 110th Congress.

“Immigration Reform should be a priority in the 110th Congress”.

March 13, 2007

Contacts:
Julie Santos 773-793-9737
Lizette J. Olmos 202-365-4553
Alexandra Acosta 201-390-7129

Washington DC – On Tuesday, March 13, 2007, families from across the country who are directly impacted by its immigration laws and national grassroots organizations gather to request Congressional Immigration hearings before the 110th Congress.

These families and organizations are urging Congress to hold hearings on immigration reform so that mixed status families can testify about their stories. The congressional law- making process consists of hearings that are held by the Judiciary Committee and the Immigration Sub -Committee. Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) Chairs of the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Immigration respectively decide which individuals or organizations may testify in congressional immigration hearings.

“We, the American families come today to the Capital of our nation to exercise our rights as American citizens and members of a democracy. We have the right to live in our country with our families.” stated, Julie Santos, Immigrant Rights Activist.

“Any time you have families that are separated against their will, it is wrong. We as African Americans have a history of being separated against our will. How can we respect a government who separate children from their parents? There is no more pitting black and brown against each other. We will stand as one people.” stated, Everloyce McCullough , African American Activist from Chicago, Illinois.

“Separation of families is unprecedented in its reasoning and humanity. Children are being left behind, in the care of good-hearted Samaritans oftentimes not knowing whether they will ever see their parents again,” stated, Dr. Gabriela Lemus, LCLAA Executive Director.

“The process is having a negative impact on the immigrants, local communities and the economy. It is causing psychological damage to the families who are being arrested and separated from loved ones.” stated, Rosa Rosales, LULAC National President.

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