FOR RELEASE: November 12, 2013

CONTACT: Stephanie Niedringhaus, 202-347-9797 x224,  sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

Washington DC:  Today, NETWORK stepped up its call for immediate action on immigration reform by initiating a series of new actions. Noting that our country can no longer afford to let an obstructionist Congress block reform, Sister Simone Campbell, NETWORK’s Executive Director, stated: “Immigration is the glory of our past and the hope for our future. I stand here with the 100% because comprehensive immigration reform will strengthen our entire nation. Today, We the People call out even more loudly for justice. We the People insist on comprehensive immigration reform now!”

NETWORK’s new immigration actions, which include delivering more than 11,000 new pro-reform postcards (see below) to Capitol Hill, are:

TODAY, NOVEMBER 12

• Standing in solidarity with those who are today initiating a period of fasting and prayer for immigration reform.

• Conference call for NETWORK activists involving Vice President Joseph Biden, Sister Simone Campbell and Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to President Obama and Director of the Domestic Policy Council. Topic of the call: the need for immigration reform and why it is important to Catholic communities. (Note: This call is off the record and meant for NETWORK members/activists.)

TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 13

• All day, we are sponsoring a national call-in day, encouraging our thousands of activists and the general public to contact Congress by calling 202-738-5344 to urge members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 15, the comprehensive immigration bill.
• As part of the Catholic celebration of the day honoring Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, NETWORK staff and supporters will engage in a brief prayer service in the “Fast 4 Families” tent in front of the National Museum of the American Indian (on the National Mall) at 10:00 am.
• Immediately after the prayer service, NETWORK staff and supporters will deliver more than 11,000 NEW postcards calling for comprehensive immigration reform to the House of Representatives. These new cards came from all 50 states, representing constituents in 399 of the 435 districts. This brings the total number of immigration postcards delivered to Capitol Hill since mid-summer to more than 20,000.

At this critical time, we are also directly lobbying of Members of Congress while we mobilize our thousands of members to continue their call to Congress to act now. Our message: We need commonsense immigration reform that:

• Ensures family unity
• Protects the rights of immigrant workers
• Acknowledges that our borders are already secure, with only minor changes needed
• Speeds up processing of already-approved immigrants
• Provides a clear and direct pathway to citizenship for the 11 million people who are undocumented in the U.S.