Next week, 10 buses originating from ten cities from across the U.S., will make their way to Washington, D.C. for an historic rally October 13 at the U.S. Capitol to demand urgent Congressional action on immigration reform.

In one of the buses, over 30 members of SEIU Local 26--cleaning service workers who have experienced first-hand the fallout from aggressive enforcement of broken immigration laws--will travel from Minneapolis for the event. Passing by a rally in Chicago on their way, these SEIU members will join hundreds of SEIU 32BJ members and thousands of religious leaders, immigrants, and other pro-immigrant advocates for a rally at the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to get cracking on immigration reform.

SEIU 32BJ Director of the DC Metro Area Jaime Contreras will join Representative Luis Gutierrez (IL-D), Reverend Coleman, and other national immigration leaders to address the crowd during the Tuesday afternoon rally. While speaking at the rally, Representative Luis Gutierrez (IL-D), is expected to introduce his principles for comprehensive immigration reform that will guide the legislation he is currently drafting for introduction in the House in the coming weeks.

Rep. Gutierrez's legislation will incorporate progressive principles for immigration reform, including the reuniting of families, a generous legalization program, and enforcement that respects the rights and dignity of people. While the Senate still plans to lead on immigration, after Senator Chuck Schumer's scheduled introduction of a bill next January, Rep. Gutierrez' leadership puts in focus the urgent need for Congressional action to overhaul a broken immigration system that has festered for far too long.

Can't be in Washington, DC on October 13th? No problem, RIFA.org has several easy ways to join in the action that day:

« Find an event taking place in your area.
« And if you can't make it to one of our events, there are still plenty of other ways to spread the word and make sure Congress hears your voice.