Pilgrimage for Citizenship

**TODAY**
After Walking for Nearly a Week Pilgrims for Citizenship to Leave Mural of Hand Prints at Rep. Paulsen’s Office
With the fate of immigrant families in Paulsen’s hands, pilgrims to leave their hand prints at his office

Eden Prairie – TODAY, clergy and faith leaders from six supporting congregations from across the Twin Cities, who are taking part in a six-day pilgrimage, walking 32 miles in solidarity with 11 million aspiring Americans, will end their journey with a Mass outside Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office. The pilgrims, who have been demonstrating faith with their feet, will call on Rep. Paulsen and other leaders to publicly support immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship. They will also create a huge mural of their hand prints, boldly stating to their elected representatives, “the fate of our families is in your hands.”

“Thus far, Rep. Paulsen has not agreed to hear our position and the desperate needs of our families for a roadmap to citizenship,” said Ben Anderson, an organizer with ISAIAH, which has been working with Catholic Charities to form the Pilgrimage for Citizenship. “We have walked across his district, we have lifted up our hands to God in prayer and now we will leave our hand prints behind to remind Rep. Paulsen that he holds the fate of hundreds of Minnesota families.”

The pilgrims have been walking in hopes that their journey will create a conversation with Paulsen who has yet to publicly declare a position on a pathway to citizenship. The pilgrims will gather with other people of faith in the Eden Prairie community in a celebration of Mass to commemorate their journey, give thanks for the community and lift up their petition to elected leaders to support comprehensive reform with a pathway to citizenship this year. They continue to hope Paulsen or his staff will join them on Friday to make a statement in support of a roadmap to citizenship.

WHAT: Mass outside Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Office Mural painting by immigrant families, pilgrims and advocates of reform

WHO: Pilgrims from the 3rd Congressional District

Leaders from the faith and immigrant communities

Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Justice for Immigrants, a project of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

MEDIA RSVP: Media are invited and coverage is welcomed. Contact Eric Howard, ISAIAH, (928) 701- 1954, ehoward@isaiahmn.org

WHEN & WHERE: Eden Prairie: 4:00 - 5:00 pm

250 Prairie Center Drive, Suite 230, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344