Our nation is engaging again, head on, in a conversation about who we define as American. We need you more than ever to raise your voice –at work, in your place of worship, at home– about our roots as a nation of immigrants.
Today, here at Conexión Américas with our partners at Casa Azafrán and in millions of homes in Tennessee and throughout the nation, we wait with anticipation for President Obama’s 7:00 p.m. announcement about changes to our broken immigration system using his executive authority.
While only Congress can give us permanent and comprehensive immigration reform, we have waited for too long. Thanks to our very own U.S. Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, a bipartisan immigration bill passed in the Senate in the summer of 2013. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives didn’t follow suit and stalled progress.
We have waited for too long and welcome the news that President Obama will use his executive authority to bring thousands of Tennesseans out of the shadows, even if temporarily.
We have advocated for immigration reform since our inception in 2002. I cannot adequately express in words to you what tonight’s announcement means to us and to the parents, sons and daughters who are already integral members of our community but await the opportunity to be treated as such.
Will you stand with us?
While the details will not be official until tonight, we already know we will need you now more than ever.
Our nation is engaging again, head on, in a conversation about who we define as American. We need you more than ever to raise your voice –at work, in your place of worship, at home– about our roots as a nation of immigrants.
We will need you to stand with us. I hope you don’t mind receiving more frequent messages than usual from us in the days and weeks to come as we share how you can be engaged in this conversation, volunteer and support our work helping families who will benefit from temporary relief.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your support. Our work together has brought us to today’s moment.
Gracias,
Renata Soto
Executive Director