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Thousands Join Coordinated Faith Rallies for Immigration Reform

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Immigration Reform

PICO National Network, June 08, 2010

Media Advisory
June 8, 2010
Contact: Jaci Braga, 303-912-5303  


Thousands Join Coordinated Faith Rallies for Immigration Reform

Nationwide events call for the DREAM Act as a down payment for Comprehensive Reform 

Diverse faith communities from PICO National Network coordinated large rallies in 6 states and 11 cities across the U.S.  to call on Congress and the Administration to move swiftly towards fair and humane immigration reform. This past Sunday thousands of people joined events in Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, San Bernardino, and San Francisco California. Other large events took place in Denver and Aurora, Colorado and in Orlando, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, two more events will be taking place in Queens, New York and Camden, New Jersey this coming Sunday.

Faith leaders used the events to criticize enforcement - only approaches, including Arizona's SB 1070, as trampling on individual rights, while creating fearful and divided communities. Participants reflect broad public support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) as the only true solution to the immigration crisis that will uphold the rule of law and respect core faith values including human rights and family unity. However, as CIR is currently stalled, PICO faith and community leaders are calling for the DREAM Act now, as a down payment for CIR. The DREAM Act will allow immigrant youth who have grown up and graduated high school in the US an opportunity to earn permanent legal status through 2 years of college or military service.  

"We can make a brighter day for tens of thousands of immigrant youth by calling our Member of Congress and telling them that giving our children the opportunities they need to succeed is the American dream that unites us all." Said Manny Romero, Blessed Sacrament Church in Los Angeles, Community Leader with L.A. Voice and the PICO National Network.

 Beyond legislation, PICO used the event to urge the Administration to provide immediate relief from deportations, the lack of due process and enforcement only legislation that is causing a crisis of family separation in our nation. 

 "We must act quickly to pass the DREAM Act now and to reform our administrative policies as we continue working towards our ultimate goal of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Our families and communities cannot wait any longer for immigration reform." Said Belen Colin from Denver, Colorado Student Leader with Metro Organizations for People & the PICO National Network.

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