Current Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – February 10, 2010 – In an unprecedented show of religious support for just, humane, comprehensive immigration reform, religious leaders from across the theological and ideological spectrum and Members of Congress kicked off a nationwide mobilization for immigration reform today on a conference call with reporters. “Together, Not Torn: Families Can’t Wait for Immigration Reform,” includes the delivery of hundreds of thousands of pro-reform postcards – more than a million within the next month – to Members of Congress from people of faith in their states and districts and 100 events across the country during President's Day recess and into early March.
WASHINGTON, DC – February 10, 2010 — Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR), a national coalition of Christian organizations, churches, and leaders from across the theological and political spectrum, today joined religious leaders from across the theological and ideological spectrum and Members of Congress to kick off a nationwide mobilization for immigration reform. “Together, Not Torn: Families Can’t Wait for Immigration Reform,” includes hundreds of thousands of pro-reform postcards to Members of Congress from people of faith in their states and districts and 100 events across the country during President's Day recess and into early March. The following statement was issued by Rev. Jennifer Kottler, a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), director of policy and advocacy at Sojourners, and spokeswoman for CCIR, who participated in the campaign launch:
Christians for Comprehensive Reform views new legislation introduced in December 2009 by Rep. Luis Gutierrez as a step in the right direction.
WASHINGTON, DC – June 10, 2009 — Today leading Christian voices joined together to launch Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform’s renewed effort for compassionate reform in anticipation of upcoming White House meetings. Religious leaders on the call discussed the growing need for immigration reform and announced the launch of a new website and statement of principles as part of coordinated efforts within the faith community to pass comprehensive immigration legislation.
Today, one day before the one-year anniversary of the devastating Postville immigration raid, faith and labor leaders hosted a press call to highlight the need for immigration reform. Leaders discussed the long term effects immigration raids have had on their communities and announced over 40 vigils and services taking place nationwide in commemoration of the May 12th, 2008 Postville raid. Events around the country will feature ringing of church bells and calls for worker justice, family unity and just and humane immigration reform.
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a national coalition of Christian organizations, churches, and leaders from across the theological and political spectrum united in support of comprehensive immigration reform, issued the following statement in response to signals from the White House that President Obama will push immigration reform this year:
Evangelical Christians from across the ideological spectrum today launched a national grassroots and ad campaign calling for comprehensive immigration reform that is consistent with biblical values. Ads announcing the campaign ran in Roll Call and CongressDaily today to coincide with the launch. Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) will place ads nationally and locally in newspapers and on the radio, and mobilize at least 200,000 letters, tens of thousands of calls, and hundreds of lobby visits to Members of Congress by the August recess.
It is a sad day in America when partisan politics can sideline one of the most important pieces of legislation to reach the U.S. Congress in years. Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform joins immigrant rights’ supporters around the country to express our extreme disappointment at the defeat of Senate immigration bill S 1639. What we saw in the United States Senate reinforces the polarization of our political system and condones xenophobia both in our country’s policies and rhetoric. We saw the defeat of reason, compromise and reconciliation.
"Family values have been a bedrock of our immigration system for decades. Immigration reform must honor this legacy," said Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. "I have heard so many stories where parents are torn apart from their children, and family members wait decades to reunite. Asians in particular face some of the longest family immigration backlogs. This broken immigration system works for no one, and undermines our economy and the fabric of our communities. Families are crucial to supporting investments in education that increase human capital, and to keeping afloat immigrant-owned businesses that create American jobs and expand our tax base."
"Arizona has become ground zero for the immigration debate. Local punitive actions have targeted the immigrant population, and the result is a community that is afraid," said Kit Danley, President of Neighborhood Ministries, a nonprofit organization that serves at-risk children and families in inner-city Phoenix. "Followers of Christ have a deep respect for the law, but we also are concerned about compassion, a higher 'law' that requires us to love our neighbor and care for the stranger among us. When members of our congregations are frightened and persecuted, we feel responsible as Christian leaders to speak out for reform in Arizona and across the country."
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