MI FAMILIA NEWS RELEASE
Last week a bipartisan group, now better known as the gang of 8 (Jeff Flake, RAriz., Marco Rubio, RFla., Richard Durbin, DIll., John McCain, RAriz., Charles Schumer, DN. Y., Robert Menendez, DN. J., Lindsey Graham, RS.C., and Michael Bennet, DColo.), introduced an immigration reform bill at the Senate in which around 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States would have the opportunity of becoming US citizens after a 13-year period.
DREAMers and farm workers would be given an expedited path that would allow them to become legal permanent residents after 5 years.
The Gang of 8 was scheduled to talk about the bill last Tuesday; however, the press conference was rescheduled later toward the end of the week out of respect for the Boston Marathon happenings where two bomb explosions left 3 dead and more than 170 people injured.
At a press conference in Reno last Wednesday, community leaders extended sincere condolences to the victims and families of the Boston incidents and said their thoughts and prayers are with them as they continue their efforts toward fixing the country’s broken immigration system.
The bill, “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” is 844 pages long and focuses on developing a plan for strong border security and on clearing out the backlogs of the current immigration system while matching American values and protect families, treat immigrant workers fairly, and strengthening our economy.
“I think 2013 is the year of immigration reform,” said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
On Thursday, April 25, Mi Familia Vota will host a community meeting for people looking to get more information.
“We applaud the efforts that the gang of 8 has put forth. Although this bill is not ideal, it is a very good first step towards adjusting the broken system our country currently has in place and it would give our 11 million aspiring Americans an opportunity to eventually become citizens,” said Carla Castedo, Northern Nevada coordinator for Mi Familia Vota.
The community meeting will last about an hour, from 7 to 8 p.m., and it will take place at the Mi Familia Vota offices on 164 Hubbard Way, Ste. B, Reno. Childcare will be provided.
