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Immigrant advocates launch campaign to increase Voter Clout
DEARBORN, May 30, 2013: The Arab Community Center (ACCESS) hosted a news conference with Michigan United to launch a campaign aimed at keeping the forward momentum toward a clear path to citizenship for immigrant families. US Representative John Conyers Jr. lent his support to the effort to hold elected officials accountable for keeping immigrant families together by fixing the broken immigration system.
“Elected officials need to be reminded that it’s voters that have led us to being on the brink of historic immigration reform,” Rachid Elabed, Civic Engagement and Field Coordinator with ACCESS . “But we’ve been close before, so we need to support and invigorate the democratic process that’s brought us this far.”
A voter registration drive began immediately after the news conference; immigration advocates announced statewide community-based partnerships designed to help elected officials focus on the needs of immigrant families and their communities.
“We’re mobilizing people across the state to hold elected officials accountable for the protection of immigrant families, who are indispensible members of our communities,” said Ronnie Peterson, AFSCME International Michigan Legislative Director. “Voters made it clear that a path to citizenship is very high priority. ‘Remember November’ is an effort to keep politicians’ eyes on the prize.”
Editor’s Note: Michigan United is a statewide coalition working to “reform the immigration system, advance housing justice, protect the rights of low-wage workers and develop leadership. More information can be found at the Michigan United’s website:www.miunited.org
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