Stories and Legislation: Refugees and Immigrants Speak out

Refugees and Immigrants Share Stories With Congress, Talk About Immigration Legislation
Press Release

Refugee and Immigrant Community Leaders from Over 30 States Share Horror Stories with Congress Call for an End to Immigration Raids and Reject Temporary and Guest Worker ProgramsWASHINGTON, D.C

On Tuesday March 13, the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) will hold a press conference at the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) at 245 Second St., NE, as part of the "National Days of Advocacy" (available by teleconference). Community leaders, youth, farm-workers, refugees, and domestic workers will share their personal stories and call for fair and just immigration reform. The speakers represent over 200 members of immigrant and refugee communities who will meet Congress this week."We are here to deliver a clear and powerful message to Congress: they must pass a fair and just legalization program that protects the rights of all undocumented immigrant and refugee workers, families and communities, and ends the heinous practice of immigration raids and deportations," declared Catherine Tactaquin, Executive Director of NNIRR. "We reject temporary or guest worker programs that do not reflect the hopes and many contributions of immigrants and their families in the U.S. These programs have only proven to benefit big companies while treating immigrant and refugee workers as cheap, disposable labor."Monami Maulik, a member of the NNIRR delegation added, "Guest worker programs could also trick undocumented immigrant families into being deported in a practice we refer to as Report-to-Deport. Raids and detentions that traumatize our families and shatter our communities must end."Alexis Mazon from Tucson also called for demilitarization of border and immigration control. "Since 1994, over 5,000 migrant dead have been found along the U.S-Mexico border. Militarization has not deterred unauthorized migration and instead caused migrant deaths.", she said."Congress must provide legal options and access to permanent residency and protect the labor rights of all workers, native and foreign-born," Ms. Tactaquin added. "They must expand legal immigration and the reunification of families.

"SPEAKERS ON THE TELECONFERENCE:
Ms. Catherine Tactaquin - Executive Director, National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Mr. Christian Ramirez - Base Building Coordinator, American Friends Service Committee
Mr. Sotero Cervantes, Former Bracero Worker, Stockton, CA
Ms. Alexis Mazón is a representative of the Derechos Humanos Coalition (DHC). Human Rights Abuses in Border Communities
Mr. Mohamed Traore: The Effects of Immigration Detention and Deportation. Mr. Traore is a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey. His spouse, Aissata Bah, was arrested and detained when the couple appeared for her status adjustment interview.
Monami Maulik is the founder of Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), a New York - based community organization that addresses the impact of immigration policies on the city's South Asian community.
Mr. Singh (alias) of Fairfax, Virginia received asylum in 1999 and worked with AFSC to sue various federal agencies for causing cuts to his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Ms. Cristina Gutierrez is a Mexican mother from Tucson, Arizona who was fired by a child care center after she spoke with her boss about child abuse taking place there. Visuals: Colorful Banners. Panel of Speakers Representing Direct Experiences of Refugees and Immigrants.

***About National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR)The National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights has been advocating for fair & just immigration reform since the early 1980s. NNIRR represents a diverse grouping of grassroots community organizations throughout the continental United States. NNIRR is a leader in the progressive voice of the immigration rights movement, on border justice, international migrant rights, and popular education for the immigrant rights movement, and is located in Oakland, CA.About the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)The AFSC is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. AFSC supports the rights and dignity of all people regardless of their immigration status. AFSC works to uplift migrant voices and strengthen the migrant-led efforts to advocate for fair and humane national policy.

National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights 310 8th Street, Suite 303 Oakland CA 94607