Press Release: More than 600 Conservative Leaders Urge Congressional Action on Immigration Reform

Leaders Bring National Consensus on Immigration Reform to Halls of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today on Capitol Hill, more than 600 conservative leaders from nearly 40 states across the country are delivering a unified message to more than 100 members of Congress: The House of Representatives needs to move forward this year on broad immigration reform.

Top conservative faith, law enforcement, and business leaders met this morning at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before fanning out to Hill offices, all part of “Americans for Reform: Immigration Reform for our Economy, Faith and Security.” Hosts include the Partnership for a New American Economy, the Bibles, Badges and Business for Immigration Reform network, FWD.us, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Leaders are meeting with their lawmakers to send a clear message that they support reform for the sake of our nation’s economy, security and moral integrity, and that passage of reform is urgent.

“This week, hundreds of business owners, faith leaders, and law enforcement officials are bringing their voices to Washington to tell Congress that we need to bring our broken immigration laws into the 21st Century,” said John Feinblatt, Chief Policy Advisor to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Chairman of the Partnership for a New American Economy. “It’s time for members of both parties to tackle this issue and pass bipartisan immigration legislation that will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and keep America’s future bright. Our country cannot afford to wait any longer for smart reform.”

“Immigration reform remains a top priority for the business community, and the Chamber and our partners will continue to do everything we can to make the case for reform this year,” said Bruce Josten, the U.S. Chamber’s executive vice president for Government Affairs. “Acting on immigration during the 113th Congress would be an enormous achievement for our country and our economy, and would show the public and the world that the United States can still get things done.”

“FWD.us is thrilled to participate in the fly-in to help bring members of the tech community to DC from across the country,” said Joe Green, the President and Founder of FWD.us. “We believe it’s a great way to help demonstrate the robust support for meaningful immigration reform among a broad coalition of faith leaders, business owners, and law enforcement, among many others. We care deeply about the human element of fixing our broken immigration system so that we do right by our economy and American families; we want to help bring that message to DC as successful entrepreneurs, job creators, and community members.

“Today was an historic day. Over 600 of our nation’s conservative leaders left an unequivocal message in the House of Representatives – we need immigration reform that protects the rule of law, upholds our biblical values and grows the economy,” saidAli Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “In every corner of the Capitol, the energy these farmers, tech leaders, police chiefs and pastors brought to the Hill was palpable. They brought a new perspective to the debate, one informed by what they see every day in their local businesses, churches and police stations – a broken system that has a negative impact on local communities nationwide. Republicans in the House of Representatives heard a message of support and urgency from their constituents; the House has an opportunity to pass reform this year.”

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Sponsors: American Farm Bureau Federation – TechNet – Wal-Mart – Western Growers Association

Conveners: Americans for Tax Reform – Bipartisan Policy Center – Bread for the World – Christian Community Development Association – Consumer Electronics Association – Engine Advocacy – Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention – ImmigrationWorksUSA – Liberty Counsel Action – Marriott International – McDonald’s – Microsoft – National Association of Evangelicals – National Association of Manufacturers – National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference – National Latino Evangelical Coalition – National Restaurant Association – Republicans for Immigration Reform – Sojourners – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – U.S. Travel Association – World Relief

Follow @RenewOurEconomy on Twitter for updates throughout the day and visit Americans4Reform.org for more information.