“Democrats are going to protect American families”
Washington, DC –-(ENEWSPF)–January 13, 2015. Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) was joined by eight of his Democratic colleagues at a press conference in the Capitol today to announce a tour of at least a dozen cities in the coming weeks. The tour will include public events, workshops and other activities to educate immigrants and the broader community about the President’s executive actions on immigration. The goal is to prepare families to apply for relief from deportation when applications are available later this year.
“My Democratic colleagues and I want families who fear deportation to know that we have their back,” Rep. Gutiérrez said at the press conference that also included Reps. Karen Bass (CA), Judy Chu (CA), David Cicilline (RI), Alan Grayson (FL), Al Green (TX), Jared Polis (CO), Jan Schakowsky (IL), and Juan Vargas (CA).
The first event in Rep. Gutiérrez’ tour is Wednesday evening (Jan. 14) in Providence, Rhode Island where he will join Rep. David Cicilline, Mayor-elect Jorge Elorza, and others for a community forum at the Providence Career and Technical Academy, hosted by the Diocese of Providence, Progreso Latino, and Dorcas International.
“While Republicans are trying to sue the President or play legislative games with the budget of the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats are going to protect American families and get people ready to sign up,” Rep. Gutiérrez said.
On Friday (Jan. 16), the Congressman will be in Elizabeth, New Jersey at the Comunidad Cristiana church at the invitation of Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC).
More than a dozen cities and dates for the Congressman’s tour have been announced so far during January, February and March, with additional events in formation.
In addition, Members of Congress at today’s press conference announced that they are hosting workshops and townhall meetings – some with Gutiérrez and some not – in the coming weeks.
President Obama announced on November 20, 2014 that he was taking certain actions to protect long-term immigrants who meet certain criteria from deportation and adjust the deportation priorities of the Department of Homeland Security using authority under laws set by Congress. It is expected that applications for the newly expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) will begin to be accepted in February. It will take until mid-May for a new initiative for the parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to begin accepting applications.
Rep. Gutiérrez discussed his tour in floor remarks earlier this year (see: http://1.usa.gov/14apOPT).
He has also discussed how in partnership with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others the City of Chicago is creating a model for the rest of the country on how it will prepare residents for signing up when the time comes (see: http://1.usa.gov/1wbe0DL).
TOUR DATES/LOCATIONS
|
DATE |
CITY, STATE |
|
Wednesday, January 14 |
Providence, Rhode Island |
|
Friday, January 16 |
Elizabeth, New Jersey |
|
Saturday, January 24 |
Racine, Wisconsin |
|
Thursday, January 29 |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
|
Friday, January 30 |
Charleston, South Carolina |
|
Saturday, January 31 |
Chicago, Illinois |
|
Saturday, February 7 |
Houston, Texas |
|
Friday, February 13 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|
Saturday, February 14 |
Des Plaines, Illinois |
|
Saturday, February 28 |
Tampa, Florida |
|
Sunday, March 1 |
Orlando, Florida |
|
Friday, March 20 |
San Jose, California |
|
Saturday, March 21 |
Los Angeles, California |
Additional events will be added, and events are in the planning stages in Tucson (AZ), Santa Fe (NM), Denver (CO) and Las Vegas (NV).
Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and is the Chairman of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Source: Gutierrez.house.gov
