Bill Introduction by Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Other Members to Shape Direction of Debate Moving Forward
Tomorrow Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), a key congressional champion for sensible immigration policy, and other Congressional champions will introduce comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the House of Representatives, officially kicking off legislative efforts to repair the nation’s broken immigration system. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) will help shape the contours of the debate going forward, and outline what practical and workable immigration reform looks like.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus–who collectively represent millions of Americans who believe it’s time to reform the immigration system into one that serves the national security, economic and social policy interests of this country—are joining Rep. Gutierrez to introduce this bill.
The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
“We commend Rep. Gutierrez for introducing a bill that is both principled and practical in its solutions for the broken immigration system. Building off the Gutierrez principles for immigration reform, CIR ASAP lays out a compelling vision of an immigration system that works for all Americans.
With this bill, Rep. Gutierrez and his colleagues in the House are taking a giant step forward on three objectives: 1) creating a template for good policy that will influence future bills; 2) putting pressure on the White House and leaders in both the House and the Senate to keep their promise of moving on immigration reform in this Congress; and 3) ensuring a place for themselves at the final negotiations over what a final bill will look like.
“Along with Senator Menendez in the Senate, Rep. Gutierrez and CIR ASAP cosponsors are making sure that the voices of millions of Latino immigrants, and the demand for immigration reform, are taken seriously by a political class that otherwise might ignore those voices,” Sharry said. “We look forward to working with Rep. Gutierrez and leaders in the other chamber, such as Sen. Schumer (D-NY), to ensure that 2010 is the year we see immigration reform finally enacted.”
America’s Voice staff will be available throughout the week to answer questions and discuss the significance of the CIR ASAP, and the prospects for real immigration reform going forward. For more info contact: Marjorie Valbrun at (202) 463-8602 ext. 305 (English Language Media) / Maria Ponce at (202) 463-8602 ext. 304 (Spanish Language Media).
Immigration experts that will be on hand:
Frank Sharry, Executive Director, America’s Voice (English and Spanish)
Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director (English and Spanish)
Maribel Hastings, Senior Advisor (Español)
Rafael Prieto Zartha, Media advisor (Español)
America’s Voice — Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform.
http://www.americasvoiceonline.org
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