CHC Launches Listening Tour On the Impact of Immigration on Families
(Washington, DC) - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) 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 US. citizens, include wives and children, whose families have been or risk being torn=2 0apart 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=2 0Congress.
"As a nation —as citizens— we cannot wait any longer for fair and just 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.”
Saturday, March 7, 2009
9 a.m. Ontario, CA
Saint George Catholic Church
505 North Palm Avenue
Ontario, CA
6 p.m. San Francisco, CA
St. Anthony's Church
3215 Cesar Chavez
San Francisco, CA 94110
Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Phoenix, AZ
Iglesia para las Naciones
11640 N. 19th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85019
Friday, March 13, 2009
7 p.m. El Paso, TX
Templo de Alabanza
2111 Wyoming
El Paso, TX 79903
*7 p.m. Los Angeles, CA
La Placita Church
535 N. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
* Congressman Gutierrez will not be in attendance. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus participating: Rep. Royal-Allard, Rep. Becerra, Rep. Napolitano, Rep. Sanchez
Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 1 p.m.
Dallas, TX
Jesucristo Es Mi Refugio
2929 S. Westmoreland
Dallas, TX 75233
Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Mission, TX
Iglesia del Pueblo
7500 W. Expressway 83
Mission, TX
Saturday, March 21, 2009
1:30 p.m. Chicago, IL
Our Lady of Mercy
4432 N. Troy
Chicago, IL 60625
7:00 p.m. Joliet, IL
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
205 E. Jackson
Joliet, IL 60436
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Milwaukee, WI
St. Adalbert Catholic Church
1923 W. Becher Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Detroit, MI
Greater Apostolic Faith Temple
4735 W. Fort Street
Detroit, MI 48209
Saturday, March 28, 2009
11 a.m. Orlando, FL
Pabellon De La Victoria
12355 S. John Young Parkway
Orlando, FL 32837
3 p.m. Homestead, FL
Nahbi Ministries International
1001 N.E. Kings Highway
Homestead, FL 33030
Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia, PA
Esperanza Center
199-201 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19140
*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.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Hispanic descent. Since 1976 the CHC has been addressing the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life. For more information on the CHC, call (202) 225-2410.
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