Latino Leaders Rally at Capitol to Urge California State Legislature to Back Immigration Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             Contact:
April 16, 2013                                                                                    Julian Teixeira
                                                                                                         (202) 776-1812
                                                                                                         jteixeira@nclr.org

 
LATINO LEADERS RALLY AT CAPITOL TO URGE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE TO BACK FEDERAL IMMIGRATION REFORM

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Earlier today, more than 300 advocates and local leaders from throughout California, representing NCLR’s (National Council of La Raza) regional network of 60 Latino-serving nonprofit organizations, rallied at the State Capitol to urge members of the California State Legislature to pass Assembly Joint Resolution 3 (AJR 3).  This measure details a set of principles for repairing the nation’s broken immigration system and urges Congress and the president to use these principles as a guide as they work toward comprehensive immigration reform.

“Momentum for immigration reform is growing and the introduction of a bill is imminent,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.  “It’s incredibly important that we have broad bipartisan support from across the nation to show that legislation must be passed and signed in 2013, the year for immigration reform.  By passing Assembly Joint Resolution 3, the California State Legislature is sending a message that they are keyed into the complexities of this issue and want to support a federal solution that will have a tremendous impact on California’s Latino and immigrant communities.”

Murguía was joined at the rally by top California officials, including Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D–CA 30), author of AJR 3.

Following the rally, participants conducted more than 100 legislative visits to encourage state lawmakers to not only support this measure but also back additional legislation that would:

•    Implement various provisions of the Affordable Care Act and address eligibility requirements
•    Spur job creation and boost California’s business competitiveness
•    Continue to build affordable homes for all Californians
•    Remove the question regarding an individual’s criminal history from state, city and county job applications while still allowing for a background check later in the hiring process

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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