For Immediate Release: Dec. 17, 2009                        
Contact:  Manisha Vaze

New York, NY - Representative Gutierrez's highly anticipated immigration reform bill, Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act, made its debut yesterday, marking the first concrete step to shift Congress' focus in 2010 toward immigration reform. Since the beginning of this year, Gutierrez has toured the country, listening to community groups say that family unity must be the guiding principle behind new reform legislation. With the introduction of CIR ASAP, it seems that communities around the country made their voices heard.

It is clear that Gutierrez also looked to other members of Congress in drafting this bill, mainly those whose commitment to keeping immigrant families with children together is evident in the bills they themselves introduced or cosponsored in this session of Congress. In particular for New Yorkers, CIR ASAP includes language similar to Representative José Serrano's (D-NY) bill the Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182). HR 182 and the provision in CIR ASAP give immigration judges the authority and discretion to prevent the removal of a parent of a US citizen child if it is not in the child's best interest.

"Today's immigration system tears US citizen children from their parents, destroying the family.  Many times families are subsequently forced to endure harsh economic and psychological hardship. America's children deserve better for their future, and the government cannot continue to deny them the right to family unity," stated Janis Rosheuvel of Families for Freedom, a New York City-wide immigrant advocacy organization of families affected by deportation. "By including a provision similar to HR 182 in his bill, Representative Gutierrez set the tone for the upcoming debate on immigration reform and sent the message to Congress that our communities are united and strong, and our dream for an end to the injustice within the system will prevail," Rosheuvel continued.

“I am gratified that my Child Citizen Protection Act was included in the comprehensive immigration reform package,” said Representative Serrano. “We have a duty to protect our children and families, and this provision will allow immigration judges to do just that. The hard work of groups like Families for Freedom was crucial to bringing this family unity issue to light, and then raising awareness around the nation and thereby getting the provision in the bill. I look forward to celebrating with them when we pass this comprehensive package.”

New York Representatives Clarke and Rangel, who cosponsored HR 182, also demonstrated their support for CIR ASAP yesterday, signing on as original cosponsors of the bill.

Rosheuvel concluded, "Families for Freedom applauds Representative Gutierrez for making preservation of families with children a priority in his bill. Immigrant communities in New York are hopeful Senator Schumer will also see that more opportunities for discretionary action and due process are necessary to keep families together and to ensure humane and just solutions to America's broken immigration laws."
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RESOURCES For Families Fighting Back:

* Factsheet on the CCPA
* Factsheet on CCPA (Espanol)
* Postcard to send to Congress
* Bill Text: CCPA (HR 182)
* Legislative Packet 2009

Most people assume that American children are considered before a mom or dad is taken away. But because of laws passed in 1996, deportation and detention are mandatory minimums for whole classes of families. On the same day as the massive 2006 protests in Los Angeles, FFF organized a Vigil for the rights of children in front of Federal Plaza. That day children of deportees and people facing deportation gave their own testimonies about the affects of deportation on their lives. We were joined by religious leaders and elected officials.

At a Bronx Town Hall Meeting, FFF member Julio Beltre stepped to the podium. Before families facing deportation, concerned citizens and leaders, and Congressman Jose Serrano, he recounted how Homeland Security took his father. Julio, his little sister and brothers are American citizens. They saw their daddy shackled and deported to the Dominican Republic.

In direct response to Julio’s story and the pleas of so many other constituents, Congressman Serrano introduced the Child Citizen Protection Act into the House of Representatives. Since this victory, other Congress members are pledging support and organizations around the country are teaming with us to focus on the rights of our American children in the immigration debate.

Joe & Mei, parents of US born children, now taking Sanctuary

Locally, FFF is building the campaign for the rights of our children through the New Sanctuary movement -- an interfaith, nationwide coalition of religious leaders providing spiritual and materials support to families suffering under a broken immigration system. Two of our families were the first in New York to seek sanctuary in May 2007.

We invite religious leaders, educators, and other respected voices to join the movement for deportation reform -- the crsuelist civil proceeding in America, and the flipside of legalization.