New York, New York - Congressman Charles B. Rangel hosted an immigration fair on Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center in Washington Heights. Numerous organizations attended, providing free consultation and information on the immigration process and paths to citizenship.

"Our great nation was built on the backs of immigrants," Rangel said. "Everyone here deserves an opportunity to become a citizen. The vilification of the immigrant community in states like Alabama and Arizona will never have a place here in New York City, a cultural melting pot and historically known as the gateway into America."

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services New York District Director Andrea Quarantillo made the opening keynote address on the future of comprehensive immigration reform. She was followed by Natalia Aristizabal of Make the Road New York who spoke about the DREAM Act.

Education is heavily prioritized in the immigrant community. Rangel is a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would provide law-abiding high school graduates, who are children of immigrants, the ability to attend college or join the military, a path to citizenship and a bright future in the United States.

Following the keynote addresses, fair participants met one-on-one with representatives from unique organizations such as CUNY Citizenship Now!, Safe Horizon, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Sanctuary for Families, New York State Dept. of Labor, Cabrini Immigrant Services, Lutheran Social Services of New York, Catholic Charities for NY Archdiocese, F.E.G.S Health and Human Services System, Legal Services NYC - Manhattan and Bronx, Bronxworks, Inc. - New York State Citizenship Initiative, Selfhelp Community Services. Additionally, representatives were on hand from the US Dept. of Homeland Security's Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

New York City has the second highest and most diverse immigrant community in the country, with immigrants making up 40% of the city's population. Economically, New York City's small business owners and entrepreneurs total 49% of self-employers and 25% statewide. 

"There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in our country," Rangel said. "The United States is their country, too. They came here not to take advantage of our social services, but because they believed in the American Dream: that everyone should have the opportunity, through hard work, to get an education and live a successful life. I marched from Selma to Montgomery because I believed in equality and justice for all people," Rangel continued. "I will always defend those principles."

"I sincerely hope and believe that today we assisted everyone who came asking for help," Rangel said. "My thanks go out to the generous and inspiring organizations that partnered with us to make this special event happen. Their presence here is a testament to the fact that there will always be people fighting for the immigrant community and the continuance of the American Dream."