Los Angeles – Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) announced today his intention to introduce an immigration reform bill that reflects the need to overhaul the nation’s dangerously broken immigration laws.  The following are comments by Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Executive Director:

“We applaud Congressman Gutierrez’s decision to advance in the next few weeks an immigration reform bill in the House of Representatives.  We have had years of discussion of why immigration reform is good for America and we are pleased that he recognizes that the time to act has come.

As we have seen during the past few weeks, there are many forces in and out of Washington that would like to see the issue of immigration reform, and immigrants, silently go away.  Congressman Gutierrez is leading the way to ensure that immigrant families and the need to overhaul our immigration laws are not forgotten.  We praise his intent to kick start the process so that very soon a bill can be agreed upon by all and is presented to the president for his signature.

As the Congressman works in drafting a comprehensive bill that we can support, we will ensure that the communities throughout the United States do their part by pressuring their representatives in Congress to get the necessary support to finally pass a responsible, fair, and just legislation.

We commend Congressman Gutierrez for his vision of a better America, one where immigrants who contribute significantly to our overall well being are recognized and treated fairly and humanely.  We hope the leadership in the House and the Senate who are also in key positions to turn this proposal into law will also step up and follow his example.  The time to act is now.”

###

Jorge-Mario Cabrera Valladares

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
Direct:  (213) 353-1789 x245

Cell:  (562) 243-5559

Fax: (213) 353.1344
Toll-free Hotline: 1(888) 624-4752

jmcabrera@chirla.org

www.chirla.org