Immigration reform is seeing a rejuvenated push. The question is, will it become a reality in 2014?
Here to keep you up-to-date on the debate and legislative progress every Monday is THE UPDATE, a weekly blog series whose panel of experts will analyze how recent events affect the prospects for real reform. The panelists will offer an insider’s view of what’s happening right now on Capitol Hill, bolstered by their decades of experience with immigration reform and the legislative process. Media representatives who wish to speak with one of the panelists, please click here. If you would like to read previous editions of THE UPDATE, please click here. Given the most recent developments, are we getting any closer to immigration reform?
Lisa Sharon Harper, Director of Mobilizing, Sojourners:
On June 4, the Evangelical Immigration Table released The Stranger, a new documentary film, in Chicago. The film highlights the moral and economic urgency for immigration reform. The personal life stories featured in the film provide a small glimpse into what communities, churches, and businesses are facing as a result of our dysfunctional immigration system. Thousands of churches across the country will host private screenings of the film to build awareness, spur conversation, and urge engagement before the congressional August recess. The Stranger comes at a key moment as Congress faces the August deadline to act. This week, Wednesday, June 11, at 12pm EST, viewers will have a chance to learn more about the film and find out how they can host a screening through Sojourners’ Google Hangout event, featuring Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners; Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of NALEC; Linda Midgett, Emmy award-winning writer/producer of The Stranger; and Diane Stewart, an immigrant featured in the film.
THE UPDATE will appear every Monday until the dust settles on the legislative battle over comprehensive immigration reform. If you wish to raise your voice for fair reform, please visit ourAction Center. You can also learn more about the issues by reading two interviews with someone personally impacted by America’s broken immigration system, Jessica Colotl. Also, don’t forget that you can subscribe to this blog by adding your email address to the box at the top left of this page.