Immigration Activists Target Local Republican Congressmen

A day after the Senate voted to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation, the Coalition for Humane Immigration of Los Angeles announced an effort by members of a California Table to move the Republican House members to support reform.

CHIRLA, which serves the greater Los Angeles area including South Gate and Lynwood, described the California Table as a network of independent organizations throughout California fighting for immigration reform. The groups will team to launch a series of what they call actions aimed at moving Republican House Members toward immigration reform, organizers said.

The effort begins July 2 with the delivery of petitions to several local congressional representatives. On their list is Congressman Gary Miller who represents the 31st Congressional District that serves Redlands and Loma Linda; Ed Royce who represents 39th Congressional District serving Diamond Bar, Walnut and Industry; Rep. Paul Cook from the 8th Congressional District; Rep. Buck McKeon from the 25th Congressional District; And Rep. Darrel Issa from the 49th Congressional District.

“We’re excited to be out there,” said Ana Garcia a representative the Central American Resource Center or CARECEN that will deliver petitions to Miller’s office.

“We’re hoping to show a united front in the 31st District,” Garcia said. “We want (Miller) to know that there is support for immigration reform in his district and among his constituents.”

According to the White House Blog, the bill “continues to secure our borders; ensures that every worker and employer is held accountable, plays by the same rules and pays taxes like everyone else; establishes a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants; and modernizes the legal immigration system.”

Meantime Democrats have shown their support for bill in news releases and through social media.

“Excited that the Senate has just passed bipartisan #ImmigrationReform 68-32!” Tweeted Rep. Janice Hahn who represents the 44th Congressional District that serves South Gate and Lynwood. “The House should act immediately.”

Anyone interested in participating in the delivery of the petitions is welcomed organizers said. Locations and times for the delivery of the petitions as provided by CHIRLA are:

• CARECEN delivers petitions to Rep. Gary Miller, at 10:30 a.m. Congressional office, 8300 Utica Avenue Suite 105 Rancho Cucamonga.
• KRC delivers petitions to Rep. Ed Royce office, 10:30 a.m. at 210 W Birch St., Suite 201 Brea.
• The COFEM delivers petitions to Rep. Paul Cook, at 1:30 p.m. Apple Valley Town Hall, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley.
• CHIRLA delivers petitions to Rep. Buck McKeon, at 10:30 a.m.at 26650 The Old Road, Suite 203 Santa Clarita.
• NBOP/JOB Delivers petitions to Rep. Darrel Issa, July 2, 2013, Time TBD. Delivery to, 1800 Thibodo Road, Suite #310 Vista, Ca.