On Thursday, community leaders in Grand Rapids held a press conference at the Wealthy Theatre to urge elected officials in Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Local attorney Richard Kessler spoke first, emphasizing that the community representatives, from the government, education, business, labor, social action, and faith traditions had gathered in support of legislation that “establishes a safe and humane immigration system consistent with the country’s values.” Following Kessler’s opening remarks, Diane Baum read a statement, that called on elected officials to enact legislation that:
- Will allow respectable people who are already working here to embark on a path to legal status
- Will allow decent people in other countries a reasonable, understandable, and timely method to earn the right to work and live here and become legalized even if they are without wealth and connections
- Will allow separated families a way to reunite without spending years waiting for permission
- Will allow border authorities to check for terrorists and dangerous criminals while treating honest people with respect—when vast numbers of desperate migrants overwhelm our border patrol employees, they are not able to do their jobs
Additionally, the statement emphasized the importance of acting now while the issue was both in the media and being debated, while also reminding people n the community that the United States was built by immigrants and that people must consequently treat new immigrants with respect and dignity.
After the statement was read, a number the community leaders present issued brief statements in support of the legislation. Minister Bill Freeman of the United Church of Christ described how his seminary went to Mexico and learned about immigrations and the hundreds that die attempting to cross the border and his feeling that “America can do better.” Freeman also went on to comment that many of our ancestors—including those who came over with Christopher Columbus or on the Mayflower—would by today’s standards be considered illegal immigrants. Ingrid Scott-Weekly, director of the Grand Rapids Equal Opportunity Commission, explained how HR 4437, the repressive measure passed last December by the House of Representatives, would be devastating to the immigration community. She also explained that the Equal Opportunity Commission unanimously passed a resolution against HR 4437 while emphasizes that immigration is extremely important to the civil rights community. Greg Shotwell, a former Delphi worker and activist with Soldiers of Solidarity, explained that his organization understands that the scapegoating of immigrants will not help workers or ease the financial troubles faced by many workers in the United States and that there was nothing to be gained by attacking other workers.
The press conference came a day after Republicans in the United States Senate announced that they would bring up immigration reform and pass a bill before the Senate’s Memorial Day recess.
