ICUC Public Thank You

On behalf of the Inland Congregations United for Change committee that planned last month's (June 6) "Justice for Immigrants Takes Faith in Action," I would like to take a moment and the opportunity to thank the officials who attended or sent representatives, including Rep. Joe Baca, county schools Superintendent Gary Thomas, Dean Fred Jandt of Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert campus, and representatives of the San Bernardino Police Department.

I would also like to thank the officials who expressed interest in attending but were unable to appear, including Rep. Jerry Lewis, Supervisor Josie Gonzales and Sheriff Rod Hoops. Last but not least, I would like to extend ICUC's appreciation to Estrella TV (Spanish Channel 62 of Riverside) to take the time and interest to cover our action to inform the community.

It is important that the members of our community hear the voices and concerns of those affected by the injustices of our current immigration policy, but it is even more important that our officials are aware of the need for change. It is only through the collaboration of our representatives and public servants that we will be able to create changes that benefit our entire community. We look forward to a constructive relationship with all of them.

Now that municipalities and states have begun sidelining the federal government and adopting their own policies on illegal immigration, most of which take an "enforcement only" approach, it is more crucial than ever that our leaders work with us to get behind a reform that reflects our values as Americans and as people of faith and allows for the integration of the most downtrodden members of our society.

MARIA G. ORTIZ 
Leader/organizer, Inland Congregations United for Change 
San Bernardino