High Ranking Officials to Address Immigration Issues at National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) Summit

“Today, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) President, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY) announced that Congressman Luis Gutierrez (Ill) and Alfonso Aguilar, Chief, Office of Citizenship at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will be among the featured speakers discussing the topic of immigration at the NHCSL Fourth National Summit on November 16th -19th, 2006 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Summit will bring together state, local and national Hispanic leaders in government, businesses and community to address serious issues impacting Hispanic families across our country.

Representative Gutierrez serves Illinois’ Fourth Congressional District. During his 13 years in Congress, Rep. Gutierrez has emerged as a leading voice on national issues in the Latino community, while maintaining his presence as a strong promoter for the issues facing his constituents. On the national level, he has been a committed and passionate advocate for the nation’s immigrant community. The Congressman has served as Chair of the Democratic Caucus Immigration Task Force, where he is the party’s leading strategist and spokesperson on immigration issues; and serves as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force. “

• Immigration Reform: The Phone Call Heard Around the Country – On the call were Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y.; and Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz. Immigrant rights advocates from various parts of the country also spoke.
• In Virtual Town Hall with Immigration Reform Activists, Gutierrez Promises Bill By December
• More Than 60,000 Americans in 45 States Organize for Immigration Reform
• Guest Voz: NJ Mayor says it makes sense to grant citizenship to undocumented immigrants – Michael Wildes mayor of Englewood, New Jersey.
• AILA WELCOMES SEN. MENENDEZ (D-NJ) INTRODUCTION OF THE MILITARY FAMILIES ACT
• New bill recognizes families’ military sacrifices not tied to citizenship status
• Two San Antonio sisters, just back from Iraq, become naturalized citizens – 23-year-old Blanca Estella, right, and 22-year-old Maria Isabel
• Yasmin Vizcaino, Miss Hispanic Oklahoma State University 2009, and the Stillwater Public Library are joining to provide information and resources to permanent Hispanic residents who want to become United States citizens.
• CNN Columnist Ruben Navarrette: Immigration Reform Must Wait – response to Rep. Luis Gutierrez
• Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez: Immigration Reform Cannot Wait
• Not since Vietnam have more used military as path to citizenship
• 5 Former Census Directors Warn that Vitter Amendment would Severely Damage 2010 Census, Cost Billions – would add a new question on citizenship and immigration status to the 2010 census.
• SEIU Members Join Thousands at U.S. Capitol to Renew Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform – Joined by legislators, thousands of workers, families and clergy call for an end to divisive, costly immigration policies that separate families, harm all workers
• Thousands To Participate in Vigil With Members of Congress For Immigration Reform on Oct 12-13 in Washington DC
• Hispanic lawmakers in the House are writing an immigration reform bill that will outline the minority community’s position before the debate begins in Congress.
• With little movement on Immigration reform among lawmakers, the debate is entering a new space: museums. From New York to San Francisco, a network of museums will address tough questions on Immigration, including health care, borders and citizenship.
• Sooner Than Expected: Latino Congressman to Introduce Immigration Bill Ahead of White House – Luis V. Gutierrez
• The Obama administration launched a new Web site on Tuesday that officials hope will make citizenship and other immigration services more accessible. – gets 230,000 visits a day
• National Council of La Raza Applauds Representative Gutierrez for Advancing Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Boricua en la Luna : Why Citizenship and Identity Don’t Always Intersect