Local Groups Launch Summer of Citizenship for All Campaign
Press Release: May 28, 2021
CINCINNATI, OH – Several groups connected to the local Immigrant Dignity Coalition have announced a 14-week summer campaign demanding Congress pass legislation that would create roadmaps to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. This year there have been multiple pieces of federal legislation introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would solve this issue, yet none have made it to the President’s desk.
“We have waited too long for Congress to act on this humanitarian issue. We must not waste any more time while families are still being separated and living in constant fear. The time for change is NOW,” says Heyra, a NKY activist and Steering Committee leader of the Immigrant Dignity Coalition.
Convened by the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC), the members of the Immigrant Dignity Coalition know that there are millions of reasons to put millions of people on a path to citizenship.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Summer of Citizenship for All campaign will focus on a different theme each week.
“Our region’s immigrant community is extremely diverse, yet those who are undocumented share a common need for a path to citizenship. DACA recipients, essential workers, healthcare professionals, college graduates- they all deserve to live without fear of deportation,” shares Samantha Searls, Program Manager at IJPC and Coordinator of the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. All are welcome to join IJPC and several other organizations as we work together to make sure our Senators feel the heat this summer.
“As an immigrant I raise my voice for all of those who can’t. We have to remind all of the organizations as well as our president that he made a campaign promise, which he reiterated when he took office, that there would be legalization for the 11 million undocumented people, including DACA and TPS recipients. That is why we are fighting, and we are not going to stop until their promise for comprehensive immigration reform is filled,” shares Maria Cabrera, Immigrant Committee for Immigration Reform.
Organizations and individuals can sign up to lead a piece of the campaign, share their stories, or amplify our calls to Congress. To learn more and get involved, contact Samantha Searls at ImmigrantDignityCoalition@gmail.com.