11.18.09

Contacts:

Louie Gilot

Communications Director

Border Network for Human Rights

(915) 217-3621, lgilot@bnhr.org

Adriana Cadena

RITA Coordinator

RITA (Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance)

(915) 253-2262, acadena@bnhr.org

**Invitation to visit house parties for immigration reform**

TEXANS HOST HOUSE PARTIES FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

Over 400 people discuss Rep. Gutierrez reform plan at 17 parties

El Paso, Texas – Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA) members are joining a national campaign spearheaded by the Reform Immigration for America campaign to have thousands of people engaged in discussing immigration reform at house parties on Wednesday, November 18. The house parties are gatherings of 15-20 people at someone’s house to discuss immigration reform for about an hour and join the “Families Freedom and Faith” national telephonic conference call with U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.

Earlier this month, Congressman Gutierrez and other elected officials called for comprehensive immigration reform as a way of keeping families together, protecting the rights of immigrant and non-immigrant workers, and strengthening the U.S. economy. During the conference call Wednesday, Gutierrez will discuss a progressive outline for immigration reform legislation that he is preparing and share with families and communities directly, just what is happening in Congress.

RITA partners have organized 17 house parties with an overall participation of 400 supporters.  The house parties will take place in Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Fort Worth, San Juan, Mercedes, Alton, Pharr, Brownsville, and Port Isabel.

The following house parties will welcome visits from the media:

El Paso

Address: Border Network for Human Rights, 2115 N. Piedras, El Paso, TX  79930

Time: 6:30 PM Mountain

Estimated number of guests: 20

Contact: Adriana Cadena, 915-253-2262

Address: Spanish Baptist Church, 14500 Montana, El Paso, TX

Time: 6:30 PM Mountain

Estimated number of guests: 25

Contact: Adriana Cadena, 915-253-2262

Dallas/Fort Worth

Address: Private Residence, 1006 Judy Lynn Drive, Arlington, Texas 76014

Time: 7:45 PM Central

Estimated number of guests: 20

Contact: Douglas Interiano, 972-743-0246

Address: Casa del Inmigrante, 1901 Harrington, Fort Worth, TX  76164

Time: 7:30 PM Central

Estimated number of guests: 20

Contact: Maria E. Herrera 817-319-6166 or Edgar Ledezma 817-917-2966

Rio Grande Valley

Address: Rancho Alegre Café, 3224 E. 14th St., Brownsville, TX  78521

Time: 7:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 20

Contact: Maria Cordero, 956-832-4989

Address: Private Residence, 206 Hockabay St., Port Isabel, TX  78578

Time: 7:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 20

Contact: Maria Cordero, 956-832-4989

Address: LUPE, Cesar Chavez & Business 83, San Juan, TX

Time: 6:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 80

Contact: Marta Sanchez, 956-533-5633

Address: LUPE, 201 W. Main, Alton, TX

Time: 7:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 60

Contact: Javier Parra, 956-584-3636

Address: Mercedes, TX

Time: 7:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 40

Contact: Maria Gomez, 956-565-2761

Address: Pharr, TX

Time: 6:30 PM

Estimated number of guests: 40

Contact: Clarisia Murillo, 956-787-5557

Please join us.

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More information on the Border Network for Human Rights: This organization, founded in 1998, is one of the leading immigration reform and human rights advocacy organization in the United States. Based in El Paso, the BNHR counts about 3,500 members in El Paso and Southern New Mexico. Please visit us at www.bnhr.org.

More information about the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA): This alliance is a multi-sector, statewide network dedicated to building support for a sensible immigration policy.

More information about the Reform Immigration For America campaign: This campaign connects people from communities across the country who are ready to work together towards achieving the 279 votes needed to win just and humane comprehensive immigration reform legislation: 218 votes in the House of Representatives, 60 votes in the Senate, and one signature from the President, www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org.