As was reported earlier, a local coalition is currently touring Washington D.C. in an effort to speak with Colorado Congressional members about federal immigration reform.
The action was coordinated with the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the American Friends Service Committee, and so far delegates have reached out to five lawmakers, with one making a personal appearance. “We’re members of his district, and so he was very cordial to meet with us,” says Tom Acker with the Western Colorado Justice for Immigrants Coalition.
Acker arrived in D.C. on Saturday, and later met with Congressman John Salazar in person to discuss comprehensive immigration reform.
“He spoke about the issues confronting passage of that legislation and specifically asked for suggestions about what we thought could be done with some of the proposals that more conservative members of Congress are making,” Acker says.
Rep. Salazar reportedly said in the meeting that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would like to see through immigration reform out of Congress by early July.
Along with John Salazar, members of the coalition also met with assistants for Sens. Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard, along with aids for Reps. Diana DeGette and Ed Perlmutter.
Issues discussed included keeping families united and putting an end to unnecessary ICE raids, creating a way towards citizenship, and creating temporary working visas.