THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND TELLS CONGRESS: WE WANT IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW!
>> Saturday, January 16, 2010
Contact: Michelle DePlante, (401) 784-8644, mdeplante@iiri.org
THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND CALLS FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM AS PART OF MAJOR NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION, 2010 NATIONAL ESCALATION OF REFORM IMMIGRATION FOR AMERICA CAMPAIGN
Providence, RI – Today, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the International Institute of Rhode Island stands with the rest of the nation to tell Congress that they want action on comprehensive immigration reform. Rhode Islanders want comprehensive reform that will protect workers and help with economic recovery, keep families together, and protect the due process rights of all.
The International Institute of Rhode Island welcomes migrants and their desire to join our communities and contribute to our nation and state. While immigrants in the state of Rhode Island come from many different places, they are united by their pursuit of the liberties and opportunities our nation was founded on.
Americans should be reminded that as a nation the United States is greater than the sum of all its parts. When one member of our society struggles, we all struggle. Our tradition compels us to remember that at one point or another in history we too were once strangers in a new land. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., immigrants and refugees also have dreams rooted in the American dream we all believe in. The outcome of our debate over immigration and the linked fate of the million of migrants and citizens will speak volumes about our national character and ideals. Just and humane immigration reform that supports integration, equal rights, and opportunity will be a long-term sustainable and effective policy.
There cannot be further delay for immigration reform at the federal level. The failure of our immigration system thus far has hurt our local communities, dividing individuals and wreaking havoc on the lives of local residents, both native and foreign-born persons. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we need to be reminded of his words: “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment”. The time for just and humane immigration reform is NOW; we can’t afford more delay. On this important anniversary of Dr. King’s birthday, we are calling on our elected officials to take leadership and action to deliver just and humane immigration reform.
The International Institute of Rhode Island’s statement of support is part of a nationwide mobilization of Americans for comprehensive immigration reform. At more than 100 major pro-reform events across the country, Americans stood up, marched, held prayer vigils, convened press conferences, targeted members of Congress, conducted town halls, or held huge rallies to demonstrate the strength of the enormous immigration reform movement and to call on Congress to Act. This week’s events represent a major escalation for the immigration reform movement, and come on the heels of a whirlwind of organizing activity in 2009. Pro-reform advocates have assembled an enormous and unprecedented bi-partisan coalition of people of faith, business, labor, civil rights, and elected officials. More than 700 organizations have joined the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign and the campaign is partnering with Americans in nearly every state to make 2010 the year that Congress finally delivers comprehensive immigration reform.
