“Do Your Jobs” Campaign Continues with Direct Calls to Action from Local Immigrant Workers and Business Owners
Last month, we kicked off the “Do Your Jobs” campaign by attempting to deliver immigrant-processed turkeys and merlot wine to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and other House leadership offices. The goal of the effort, organized by America’s Voice, United Farm Workers, UFCW, Mi Familia Vota, and AFL-CIO, was to remind Republican leaders of the important work immigrants do every day so that they can enjoy holidays with their loved ones. In exchange, we asked House Republicans to take 15 minutes out of their busy vacation schedules and schedule a vote on a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who aspire to be Americans.
Unfortunately, we had doors locked in our faces. But we’re continuing the campaign to showcase how hard immigrants work every day, in contrast to our “leaders” in Congress who are holding up action on immigration reform. As the House prepares to work its final 5 days of 2013, we’re continuing to highlight real people who work hard every single day to contribute to a country they consider home, and only want their leaders in Congress to do the same.
Today, we’ll start with Alejandro, an immigrant sheepherder in Rep. Scott Tipton’s (R-CO) district. View a graphic and blog post here.
Alejandro is on call 24/7.
He is a sheepherder based in Western Colorado and is responsible for 1200 head of sheep, protecting them from predators and injuries. Alejandro works 11 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide for his wife and two daughters, who live in Peru.
“I want to see immigration reform passed for the sake of the millions of people who are living in the shadows and suffering constant fear,” Alejandro told us. “Those people are working hard every day to support themselves and their families and many are suffering deportation and separation. They deserve better.”
Alejandro is doing his job. Rep. Tipton, why aren’t you doing yours?
As Congress heads toward yet another long recess, it’s past time that House Republicans take action, and pass immigration reform for the 11 million.