For Immediate Release
Contact:
Judith Whitmarsh
Director of Public Policy
judy_whitmarsh@ccab.org
Catholic Charities Boston signs on to fix current broken immigration system
Five Mass representatives co-sponsor CIR ASAP Act
01/14/10
(Boston)- A coalition took to the podium in Boston City Hall today to urge all ten Massachusetts congressional representatives to sign onto the "CIR ASAP," a comprehensive immigration reform bill which was introduced to the House in December, to fix the nation's immigration system in 2010. The event was part of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign's national Week of Action.
Boston City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo speaks during the press conference at Boston City Hall
As of today, five of Massachusetts's ten U.S. congressional representatives have become co-sponsors of CIR ASAP act, which was introduced to the House of Representatives by Illinois Representative Luis Gutierrez December 15, 2009. The event urged Representative William Delahunt, Stephen Lynch, Edward Markey, John Tierney and Niki Tsongas to co-sponsor the bill with their colleagues. Representatives Michael Capuano, Barney Frank, James McGovern, Richard Neal and John Olver have already showed their support by co-sponsoring the bill.
"It is high time," said Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) "This dysfunctional system has allowed a trapdoor to be sawed beneath the minimum wage, where unscrupulous employers lurk. It has split families by immigration status. And it has strained America's sense of common decency and common sense."
City Councilors Felix G. Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley spoke on behalf of how immigration reform would benefit the city of Boston. Two immigrants spoke of their struggles within the current system. "As elected leaders and community members, we must work on to make immigration reform a reality," state Boston City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo. He continued, "We must work collectively, collaboratively, and most importantly cohesively to ensure a better society - one filled with hope that promotes the well being of all those who live within it."
Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), speaks during the press conference at Boston City Hall.
Harris Gruman, Executive Director of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council spoke of the importance of immigration reform for all American workers'. Also speaking in support of the reform was Sister Gerry Stanton, a Faith Community Leader in South Boston.
Millona concluded, "With the help of Councilors Arroyo and Pressley, with an SEIU executive and a laborer, with a faith leader and a young Brazilian immigrant whose faith in justice has been tested by our system, we urge everyone to make this nation of immigrants whole again by supporting comprehensive immigration reform now."
Proposed Bill calls for comprehensive immigration reform
On Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill), and over 50 congressional supporters proposed in the House a bill to fix the current broken immigration system. H.R.4321 CIR ASAP.