Congressman Blumenauer speaks at CIR-ASAP Press Conference in Portland

Oregon Coalition holds Campaign Kick-off for Immigration Reform Bill HR 4321

Portland, Ore.--CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, held a Press Conference on Thursday thanking Congressman Blumenauer for being the first Representative from Oregon's Congressional Delegation 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).

Supporters of the bill also called on Oregon's other Representatives to join with Congressman Blumenauer in supporting the legislation and for Senators Wyden and Merkley to encourage New York Senator Charles Schumer to introduce a similar bill in the Senate.

During the Press Conference, Congressman Blumenauer made a surprise appearance in lieu of his staffer to explain the importance and the work needed to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This is what the Congressman had to say:

"We need people to stop playing politics with Immigration. It is important to reach out to individuals, in every church, in every opportunity where there are small groups, people working in business, people who are working in social service agencies to talk about the human face, to talk about reasonable legislation, that will help people earn an opportunity for citizenship. We can do this in a way where, and most importantly, that we are not punishing children who are here who are here and are everybody's future".

The event was very positive and uplifting. Click here to watch our video featuring scenes of today's action and Congressman Blumenauer's speech.

We Need Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW. Reform is long overdue, and Congress must take immediate action to fix our broken immigration system. CAUSA and the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign are mobilizing Oregonians and Americans alike across the nation for an immigration reform that works for the economy, taxpayers and families. One 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

Enhances our national security by focusing our enforcement and security measures on the most dangerous threats to our communities

Protects workers and helps with economic recovery Keeps families together

Protects the due process rights of all

Thursday's Campaign Kick-off in Oregon came the same day the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress released a groundbreaking report on the economic benefits of Immigration Reform. According to the report, immigration reform will raise the GDP in the United States by over $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. In contrast, deportation-only proposals will cost the U.S. economy over $2.5 trillion-above and beyond the cost of deporting 12 million people.

Throughout the rest of this month and next, CAUSA and our supporters will visit Oregon's other Representatives encouraging them to sign on as co-sponsors of HR 4321 (CIR-ASAP of 2009). Please see our calendar for the dates and times.

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Oregon Coalition to Kick-off Campaign for Socially Responsible Immigration Bill on Thursday

MEDIA ADVISORY
January 6, 2010

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director, 503.269.5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503.488.0263


CAUSA to Campaign for Socially Responsible Immigration Bill in Oregon

Blumenauer first member of Oregon’s Congressional Delegation to sign on as a c0-sponsor

Salem, Ore—Last Month, Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321), 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.

Starting on January 7th, CAUSA and our supporters will be visiting our Congressional Representatives and Senators around Oregon. We are calling on all immigration reform supporters to be involved in these actions to send a strong message to Oregon's Congressional Delegation that they need to support CIR ASAP.

We will begin the kick-off of our Campaign for CIR ASAP in Oregon at Congressman Blumenauer's Office this Thursday at noon. We will hold a Press Conference thanking Congressman Blumenauer for being the first Representative from Oregon’s Congressional Delegation to join on as a co-sponsor of the bill and call on Oregon’s other Congressmen to join. A member of Congressman Blumenauer’s staff will be present at the press conference.

WHAT: Press Conference and Kick-off of Campaign for CIR-ASAP in Oregon
WHEN: January 7, 2010 at 12 Noon
WHERE: Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3)
729 N.E. Oregon Street
Suite 115
Portland, OR 97232 (Directions)

The Oregon Campaign Kick-off comes the same day the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress release a groundbreaking report on the economic benefits of Immigration Reform. According to the report, immigration reform will raise GDP in the United States by over $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. In contrast, deportation-only proposals will cost the U.S. economy over $2.5 trillion-above and beyond the cost of deporting 12 million people.

Throughout the rest of this month, CAUSA will visit the remainder of Oregon’s Congressional Delegation encouraging them to sign on as co-sponsors of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP). During our visits to the offices of Senators Wyden and Merkley, we will call on them to urge Senator Schumer to introduce a similar bill in the U.S. Senate.

Here is the schedule for those visits:

1. January 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Congressman Wu’s office (620 SW Main, Suite 606
Portland, OR 97205) and at 12:30 p.m at Senator Merkley's office in Portland (121 Southwest Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97204)
2. January 22 at 12:00 Noon at Senator Wyden's office in Portland.(1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204)
3. January 28 at 12:00 Noon at Congressman Schrader's office in Salem. (494 State Street, Suite 210 Salem, OR 97302)
4. February 2 at 12:00 Noon at Congressman DeFazio's Office in Eugene. (405 East 8th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401)
5. February 12 (Lincoln's Birthday) at 12:00 Noon at Congressman Walden's office in Bend. (1051 NW Bond St., Suite 400. Bend, OR 97701)

For more information about these visits, please contact Erik at 503-488-0263.

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is a member of the Reform Immigration FOR America coalition and is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN: The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is a coalition of more than 600 faith, labor, business, progressive, and immigration reform groups that have joined together to get comprehensive immigration reform passed. For more information please visit www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org or www.reformamigratoriaproamerica.org

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VIDEO: Rep. Gutierrez introduces the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), introduces the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), along with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.



CAUSA's Executive Director, Francisco Lopez and President Ramon Ramirez of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste can be seen at the back wall during the video.

H/T America's Voice. Check out their Week in Review on CIR ASAP

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CAUSA Applauds Representatives for Introduction of a Socially Responsible Immigration Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2009

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director, 503.269.5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503.488.0263

CAUSA Applauds Representatives for Introduction of a Socially Responsible Immigration Bill
Introduction of House Bill a First Step for Immigration Reform in 2010
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 D.C. 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.

Tomorrow, CAUSA and our sister organizations will hold a Posada for Immigration Reform at 6:00pm 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. The media is invited to attend.

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is 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. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN: The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is a coalition of more than 600 faith, labor, business, progressive, and immigration reform groups that have joined together to get comprehensive immigration reform passed. For more information please visit www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org or www.reformamigratoriaproamerica.org

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UPDATE: Oregon Coalition Applauds Rep. Gutierrez for Taking the Lead on Immigration Reform Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2009

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Oregon Coalition Applauds Rep. Gutierrez for Taking the Lead on Immigration Reform Legislation

On Citizenship Day, CAUSA joins with Communities across the country to call for real action on comprehensive immigration reform

Salem, Ore. – Today, hundreds of immigrant leaders and representatives called upon Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) to lead a strategy in the coming weeks that will get specific comprehensive immigration reform legislation introduced and moving through the halls of Congress. With the overwhelming support of communities across the country, Rep. Gutierrez agreed to do so at an event in Washington organized by the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (a network of pro-immigrant advocacy groups) as part of their Citizenship Day celebration.

Rep. Gutierrez played a pivotal role in the Familias Unidas interfaith tour earlier this year that introduced families separated from loved ones by our broken immigration system to his colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and House Democratic Leadership and helped build compassion and support for immigration reform.

“The immigrant, faith, labor and business community in Oregon are ready to support a bill that fixes our broken immigration system,” said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA. “We want to support Rep. Gutierrez and the CHC in taking bold action to break through the years-long stalemate on Capital Hill.”

CAUSA and our allies expects the Gutierrez’s effort to lead to a progressive immigration bill which they defined as having the following features:

• a pathway to citizenship that keeps families together;
• elimination of the family immigration backlogs that keep people waiting years and decades for legal entry;
• a system to modernize the process by which visas are allocated so that they reflect actual economic needs;
• protection of worker rights for immigrants and native-born workers;
• restoration of basic due process rights and protection of basic rights and liberties;
• enforcement that respects these rights and restores confidence in the immigration system; and effective and innovative immigrant integration programs

“We are confident that if we can get a game going, we can win just and fair immigration reform,” Lopez said. “It will take leadership and a sense of urgency, and Rep. Gutierrez and the CHC had the courage to stand up and tell the stories of our separated families at a time when people weren’t listening. Now we are asking him to step up to the plate again to get things moving in Congress for an immigration reform bill. We hope members of the Oregon Congressional delegation join in him in making the passage of an immigration bill a top priority.”

While a great deal of attention has been on health care reform – and rightly so – the urgent need for immigration reform has not diminished. If anything, the acrimony, deception and scapegoating of immigrants in the health care debate has underscored the need for a comprehensive solution that resolves the immigration issue. Immigrants, faith leaders, businesses, labor unions, progressive groups, and a broad coalition across the political spectrum want solutions to our current immigration mess.

“We need smart, sensible, American solutions to the issues facing American communities, and that includes immigrants,” Lopez said. “We take citizenship very seriously and want to help shape the direction of our nation.”

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Hispanic civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

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