FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                          Contact:  Claudia Marchan

March 23, 2007

312-666-2663 X227

Though the Gamaliel of Metro Chicago will be studying the details of this specific legislation, it appears the Gutierrez-Flake bill, known as the STRIVE Act (Security Through Regularized Immigration and Vibrant Economy) includes the principles and elements we believe are needed to fix our broken immigration system.  These principles include restoring the rule of law, providing a path to earned citizenship, protecting immigrant and American workers alike, reuniting families, respecting due process, and helping newcomers become new Americans while helping the communities in which they settle. 

“We welcome the STRIVE Act because it moves us in the direction of our goal: to get our Federal government to act decisively to get comprehensive immigration reform done this year, to get it done right, and to make it work on the ground once it is implemented,” said Ann Smith, president of the Gamaliel Foundation.  “We will be studying the details of the proposal in the coming days because the details matter.  We want comprehensive immigration reform this year, but not just any bill that calls itself comprehensive will do.  It must be workable if it is to be the solution we as a nation need and want,” continued Smith.  “It will take leaders in both parties to make comprehensive immigration reform work, and Reps. Gutierrez and Flake are showing a way forward.  If both parties and both Houses of Congress work together like these two Congressmen, America will finally have an immigration system that serves our national interests through increased security, an improved economy and a renewal of the values that define our nation.”

“For too long the pleas from state and local governments and the pain and suffering of immigrant families and communities grappling with this issue have gone unanswered.  We pledge to pressure our representatives in Congress to act now to find a workable solution.  Immigrant workers and families are desperate for real reform and so are hard working taxpayers and responsible employers who want a legal workforce and American workers who want a level playing field,” said Marty Sanchez, president of Pilsen Neighbors Community Council.

 Comprehensive immigration reform legislation along the lines of the Gutierrez-Flake proposal offers a realistic way of dealing with the 12 million undocumented immigrants who are currently living and working in this country.  It gives families the opportunity to be united with immigrant family members in a timely manner.  At the same time, this legislation makes the changes needed to satisfy the needs of our economy for workers and effectively focus scarce enforcement resources on fighting genuine threats to our country.