Today, July 20, at 4 p.m. in Bakersfield
UFW president joins congressmen Gutierrez and Valadao calling on House to act on immigration reform
Gutierrez’s national tour to build support for immigration reform stops in Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA – Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-Ill) is making a stop in Bakersfield today as part of his national tour to build support for moving forward on bipartisan immigration reform in the House. He will be joined by Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), who represents parts of Kern County, for an open bipartisan town hall meeting with Latino leaders and members of the business, faith and farm worker community. The event is being hosted by a local coalition of immigrant advocates, which includes the United Farm Workers.
"We want to remind the House of Representatives that we are in this together," said UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, who will be introducing Congressman Gutierrez today during the town hall meeting. "We are urging them to not delay any longer and either take up the Senate bill or draft its own comprehensive immigration reform bill, but doing nothing is not an option."
The Senate proposal, officially known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, or S. 744, calls for a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country and includes special agricultural provisions negotiated by the United Farm Workers and major grower associations. The legislation, which passed in the Senate last month, marks the first time a significant comprehensive immigration reform bill is approved in Congress since 2006.
Farm workers, led by the United Farm Workers, have been actively involved in pushing for an immigration reform. Next week, farm workers will visit their local U.S. representatives, urging them to support the legislation. For more information on how to get involved, visit our website at www.ufw.org or contact our local UFW offices.
When: Today, Saturday, July 20, 2013
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: Bakersfield Christian Church, 3200 Bernard St., Bakersfield, CA 93306