DeFazio responds to questions about DREAM Act, Immigration Reform and Tuition Equality

Earlier today, CAUSA's Eugene staff member, Ranfis Villatoro received a response from Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-D) regarding questions he had about the Congressman's position on the DREAM Act, Immigration Reform, and Tuition Equity. Here is a copy of that response letter from Representative DeFazio:

Dear Mr. Villatoro:

Thank you for contacting me in favor of the DREAM Act. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, the Senate recently failed to find the votes to even take up the Department of Defense Authorization bill, which some Senators had hoped to attach the DREAM act to. Given that the Senate has been a perennial grave yard for legislation, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has stated unequivocally that the House of Representatives will not act on immigration reform until the Senate is able to pass their version. With that in mind, it is highly unlikely that the House of Representatives will be voting on immigration issues in the near future. If we are going to make any sort of legislative progress the Senate is going to have to quit its bloviating and dithering, and instead actually pass more than a handful of bills every year.

Currently 12 states are exercising their existing right to offer undocumented immigrants in-state tuition. These states are making it easier for all residents of their states to obtain a higher education. California and Texas, two of the states with the largest immigrant populations, are among these 12 states. I support these states' right to determine their own guidelines for in-state tuition requirements, and would not want the federal government to get in the way of that right. The DREAM Act would simplify the process for other states to follow suit.

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Students and Faith Community keep pressure on DeFazio over Immigration Reform

Springfield, Ore.--Last week, students from the University of Oregon, members of the local faith community and immigration reform advocates continued their pressure on Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) over the issue of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

On Tuesday, 40 students and citizens canvassed the campus area, knocking on a combined 249 doors in 1 hour. Their message focused on Representative DeFazio and their call for him to help pass desperately needed reform legislation.

Since January, Reform Advocates around the state have been ramping up pressure on Oregon's Congressional Delegation calling for them to stop the pain that families are suffering under our current broken immigration system and support immigration reform. As Congressman DeFazio has refused to commit to anything on immigration reform, residents of Lane County have been increasing in their engagement over the issue holding events throughout the district.

At least five of the seven members of the Oregon's Congressional delegation have committed to working to pass reform legislation. Congressman Earl Blumenauer has joined on as a Co-Sponsor of Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR-ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321) and has been an outspoken advocate for reform.

On Saturday, over 80 members of the local Catholic Faith Community gathered for a prayer vigil outside the Springfield home of Congressman DeFazio. The group largely from St. Alice Catholic Church of Springfield and St. Mary's Catholic Church of Eugene engaged in song and prayer while holding signs and candles calling on the Congressman to hear the voices of justice and support HR 4321.

During the vigil, the Congressman's neighbors, many who attended, were very supportive of the action. One neighbor even brought his car with a lamp to provide lighting for the vigil.

There is a growing frustration around the nation as members of Congress stall on immigration reform while families are being separated. People of faith in communities across the country are urging Congress to reform the country's broken immigration system this year.

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR-ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321) was introduced in Congress on December 15, 2009 by Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez and would:

Create millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English on their way to becoming full U.S. citizens.

Protect workers and help with economic recovery

Keep families together

Protect the due process rights of all

The Senate has yet to introduce a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, although the Democratic Leadership and the President has said that they plan to pass reform legislation this year.

Resources
Students Pound Pavement for Immigration Reform
PHOTOS: Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform outside the home of Congressman DeFazio

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80 March and Rally for Immigration Reform in Bend

February 13, 2010

Bend, Ore--On Friday, close to 80 people including members of Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County marched to the district office of Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) in Bend.

The goal of the action was to ask Congressman Walden to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 (HR1751) and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321). Both bills have wide support among business associations including those representing the Nursery and Restaurant Industry, Law Enforcement, Clergy and Faith-based Organizations, Labor Unions, Civil Rights Organizations and Community Leaders.

While gathering for the march, immigrant rights supporters were greeted by five rowdy protestors opposing immigration reform. One angry anti-reform protestor attempted in vain to block the peaceful marchers as they walked to lobby their Congressman. Regardless of the few disruptive detractors, pro-reform advocates received a great deal of positive vocal support and applause from business owners and passers-by as they marched down the sidewalk to Congressman Walden's office.

After arriving outside the office to hold a short rally, reform advocates were invited in to discuss their request. While inside, they turned in close to 500 postcards asking Congressman Walden to join as a co-sponsor of CIR-ASAP and to support the DREAM Act.

This is not the first time CAUSA and Reform Allies have communicated with Congressman Walden around the issue of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Last year, a delegation from Oregon attended the Reform Immigration FOR America summit in Washinton D.C which included a visit to Capitol Hill. Members of CAUSA, PCUN, Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas and Rural Organizing Project met with Congressman Walden. (The photo to the left is from that visit.)

Friday's action is part of a nationwide mobilization to shore up Congressional support for the DREAM Act (HR1751) and CIR-ASAP Act (HR 4321). The event at Congressman Walden's office marked the 7th and final action of the first round of visits to Oregon's Congressional Delegation. The next round lobbying will begin in the coming weeks.

News Coverage:
KOHD News (ABC) Bend: Immigration Reform Rally in Downtown Bend http://kohd.com/news/local/16250

KTVZ News Channel 21 Bend: Bend rally puts focus on immigration reform debate http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=11979802

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Reform proponents to call on Oregon Congressman to support Immigration Bill

Join Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County this Friday for a March and Rally at Congressman Greg Walden's office in Bend.

Friday's action is part of a nationwide mobilization to shore up Congressional support for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

During the march and rally to take place at noon, advocates will tell Representative Greg Walden (R-OR):

• Immigrants are a critical part of America’s economy and its recovery.
• The American future depends on a secure, legal immigrant community.
• Immigration Reform & the DREAM Act needs to be passed NOW!

Finally, they will ask him to join as a co-sponsor of HR4321 and to support the DREAM Act.

WHAT: March and Rally for DREAM Act and CIR-ASAP
WHEN: Noon, February 12, 2010
WHERE: Meet at the west end of the Domino Room (51 NW Greenwood Ave.) and march to the Congressman's office located at 1051 NW Bond St. in Bend.
WHO: Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County

America needs serious immigration reform that:

• Creates millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English on their way to becoming full U.S. citizens
• Protects workers and helps with economic recovery
• Keeps families together
• Protects the due process rights of all

For more information about this event or the campaign, please contact Erik at 503.488.0263

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Advocates Call for Passage of DREAM Act and Immigration Reform

Reform Proponents March and Rally at Office of Congressman DeFazio in Eugene

Eugene, Ore--Today, CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and immigration reform supporters gathered at the district office of Congressman Peter DeFazio in Eugene They called on the Congressman to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

Congressman DeFazio is the sixth member of Oregon's Congressional Delegation that CAUSA and immigration reform advocates have visited since the start of the nationwide campaign at the beginning of January.

Those in attendance at today's action included Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, students from local colleges and members of several Lane County community organizations and churches. Local News coverage came from KEZI News Channel 9 Eugene (ABC News Affiliate) and KLCC 89.7 FM Eugene. (Links to the stories can be found below.)

Next week on February 12th, CAUSA will join Central Oregon Jobs with Justice and residents of Deschutes County at Noon for a March and Rally at Congressman Greg Walden's office to ask him to support the DREAM Act and to join as a cosponsor of HR 4321.

News Coverage:

KEZI News Channel 9 Eugene: Advocacy Group Campaigns for Immigration Bill http://kezi.com/news/local/161150

KLCC News 89.7 FM Eugene : Immigration Rights Activists Call for Reform http://tinyurl.com/yanc65o Audio: http://tinyurl.com/ycfw5yf

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Action for CIR-ASAP and DREAM at Rep. DeFazio's Office Today

Join us today at noon for a March and Rally at the district office of U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio in Eugene.

We will call on the Congressman to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

WHAT: March and Rally for CIR-ASAP and DREAM Act!

WHEN: Tuesday, February 2nd at 12:00 Noon

WHERE: Office of US Congressman Peter DeFazio, 405 East 8th Ave. #2030, Eugene, Oregon 97403

WHO: CAUSA, Oregon Immigrant Rights Coalition and Students from Area Colleges

This is the sixth member of Oregon's Congressional Delegation that CAUSA and our supporters and allies have visited since the start of the nationwide campaign at the beginning of January. Last week, close to 70 immigration reform advocates gathered at Congressman Schrader's office in Salem as we called on the Congressman to support HR4321 and the DREAM Act. Your help is needed in Eugene today as we ask the same of Congressman DeFazio.

We hope you will join us for this very important action for Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act!

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Reform Immigration FOR America at Oregon Town Halls

In communities across Oregon, CAUSA and our allies mobilized immigrant rights supporters to attend Congressional Town Halls to urge support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Watch our latest video highlighting that effort:



You can also watch the video on our CAUSA YouTube Channel

For more on how you can get involved, visit www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org

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Reform Immigration FOR America at DeFazio Town Hall

Eugene, Ore.--Constituents showed up today at a Eugene Town Hall to call on Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The Congressman spoke to a large crowd at the Hilton Eugene and Conference Center.

Although most questions were in regard to Healthcare Reform, one constituent urged the Oregon Congressman to support reform of the U.S. Immigration System making it more humane and just for immigrants coming to the country.

Congressman DeFazio is scheduled to speak later this evening at the Springfield City Hall.

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Photo: Waiting to get into DeFazio Town Hall

Eugene, Ore.--Constituent of Congressman Peter DeFazio waiting to get into Eugene Town Hall on Tuesday. Many in attendance were present to encourage Congressman DeFazio to support Humane and Just Comprehensive Reform.

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Photos: Eugene Rally for Humane and Just Immigration Reform

600 students rallied for immigrant rights and comprehensive immigration reform on Friday at the Eugene Office of Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio. For more photos from Ken Nubeck with the Eugene Human Rights Commission, please link here.




© 2009 CAUSA. All rights reserved. Image posted is the sole property of Ken Nubeck. Permission required for reprint.

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600 Students Rally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in Eugene

Today, 600 students are rallying for immigrant rights and comprehensive immigration reform at the Eugene Office of Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio.

The event was organized by the students of MEChA from the University of Oregon chapter and chapters from across the Nation, as well as CAUSA, Oregon's immigrant rights coalition, with the help and support of various UO Departments, PCUN, and Eugene community organizations.

The students are demanding that Congressman Defazio support and prioritize Safe, Humane and Fair Immigration Reform. Because the majority of rally attendees are students, they are demanding that DeFazio also support the Federal DREAM Act which would open the doors of higher education to immigrant students and students of immigrant parents.

The Rally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Immigrant Rights is taking place from 2:30pm on Courthouse steps outside Peter DeFazio's Office in Eugene. (405 E. 8th Street, Eugene).

© 2009 CAUSA. All rights reserved. All Images posted are the sole property of CAUSA.

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