CAUSA Applauds Representatives for Introduction of a 'Socially Responsible' Immigration Bill

Introduction of House Bill a First Step for Immigration Reform in 2010.

Sign in California features farm laborers Salem-News.com photo by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Today, Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), a socially responsible bill that addresses key issues necessary for a real workable solution to the currently broken immigration reform system.

The bill's 87 original co-sponsors include members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Progressive Caucus.

CAUSA's Executive Director Francisco Lopez and President Ramon Ramirez of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) were in Washington DC today to bear witness to the introduction of the legislation that gives new life to the campaign for legalization.

After many years the door is again open for a possible legalization of the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

"Introducing this bill is a great first step on the road to passing comprehensive immigration reform," said Francisco Lopez. "CAUSA, our sister organizations and Latino Immigrants in Oregon applaud this first step members of Congress took today and look forward to a similar action in the Senate."

"The American people have long waited for such an action and are tired of government inaction on this important and pressing issue affecting all of us." Lopez added.

"We expect this bill to present a workable and socially responsible solution that is true to the values and principles that Americans share, including fair and workable path to citizenship and worker protections."

Early in 2010, New York Senator Charles Schumer is expected to introduce a similar bill in the United States Senate.

Wednesday, CAUSA and our sister organizations will hold a Posada for Immigration Reform at 6:00 p.m. at the Cipriano Ferrel Education Center (1274 5th St,) in Woodburn.

The Posada, or hospitality, is a symbolic commemoration which takes place nine days before the 24th of December known as "Noche Buena" or "Holy Night". The Posada honors the story of the Nativity and remembers those who have died crossing the border.

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Source: CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, a member of the Reform Immigration FOR America coalition and the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest.

You can also learn more by visiting: reformamigratoriaproamerica.org