Immigration Efforts Intensify as New Administration Takes Office

Gutierrez' Nationwide Tour to Document Family Separation Makes Final Stop in Chicago before Moving South

January 22, 2009

Media Contact: Rebecca Dreilinger (202) 225-8203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chicago, IL) – On Saturday January 25, U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) will hold an immigration town hall as part of his national effort for an immigration system that keeps families together and enhances our security in a time of economic crisis.

The meeting is part of an ongoing national effort that has already spread from Chicago to New York and North Carolina. In the coming weeks, meetings and prayer vigils planned in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico and California will continue to document the testimonies of U.S. citizens whose families are being torn apart by a broken immigration system.

"This week, the most historic leader of our time took the oath of office. Now it is time to realize bold and historic change," said Rep. Gutierrez. "Chicago's families continue to come forward — strongly and courageously — to demand that change. They refuse to quit, and I will not stop fighting with them.  They are showing the human face on the issue by sharing their deeply personal stories of the harm that our broken system has caused them and millions of U.S. citizens.  They, like I, believe that we can begin to put a stop to the deportation-only policies that rip our families apart."

Already nearly 40 evangelical church leaders, representing nearly 20,000 parishioners, have joined Rep. Gutierrez to demonstrate the vast numbers of Americans—from all political backgrounds—who demand change from a legal system that undermines family values. U.S. citizens whose families have been affected will be available to share their specific stories with press.

 ###