A Call to U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson for Strong Reforms on International Migrants Day

MILWAUKEE – Voces de la Frontera and a coalition of community and labor groups will on Tuesday, Dec. 18^th, join the United Nations’ global celebration of International Migrants Day by asking U.S. Senator Ron Johnson to support meaningful immigration reform.

The groups, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, will gather with concerned citizens and supporters at 4 PM Tuesday for a rally in front of the Federal Courthouse (517 E. Wisconsin Ave.).  A delegation will then deliver to Sen. Johnson a giant Christmas card, signed by hundreds of supporters, requesting that the Senator take a strong stand in 2013 to secure a future for immigrant workers in the U.S.

International Migrants Day is a global celebration proclaimed in year 2000 by the United Nations, recognizing the growing number of migrants worldwide and their human rights and fundamental freedoms.  It’s also a day to share experiences; and a day of action to protect migrant workers. (For more info, see the United Nations’ Migrants Day page).

“We ask that people take some time and think, ‘What would we do without immigrants?’  They work hard, support our businesses, pay taxes, and make great contributions to society,” says SEIU Local 1’s Manny Vellon, an organizer of the event.

The need for immigration reform is urgent, Vellon adds, pointing out that only a bill supported by Democrats and Republicans can bring true reform.

“We are hoping that Sen. Johnson can stand up and stand out from the pack on immigration reform,” Vellon says.  “We can’t do this without him, and we don’t want to do this without him – not if we are serious about a bill that truly protects workers.”

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