NHCLC Head Calls for Unprecedented Activism to Urge Leaders to Pass Immigration Reform 

PRESS RELEASE

During Justice Summit Next Week, Dr. Samuel Rodriguez and NHCLC will ask Congress for commitment to Immigration reform in early 2014

SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- After House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said today that the House will not go to conference on the Senate-passed immigration bill, signaling that Immigration reform will not move forward in 2013, Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the nation's largest Christian Hispanic organization representing more than 40,000 churches, made the following statement:

"I am extremely disappointed in today's comments that immigration reform will not move forward this year, but I am committed now more than ever to this cause and will do everything in my power to ignite an unprecedented prophetic activism movement to force the hand of our leaders to remain steadfast in passing comprehensive immigration reform. Reform is necessary to save 11 million lives and heal broken communities across this country.

"Next week, the NHCLC will be hosting a Justice Summit in the Washington, D.C., metro area and immigration reform will be one of the highest priorities. We will be going to the Hill seeking a commitment from the Republican leadership to pass comprehensive immigration reform in early 2014."

Rodriguez last week announced that he would be fasting beginning Nov. 5 for 40 days to help ensure immigration reform is passed. Believing immigration reform is as much a religious issue as it is a policy, Rodriguez and NHCLC leaders have been actively rallying support from the Evangelical Christian community, which was once hesitant to embrace reform but now believes it is necessary to heal communities, usher in peace and promote righteousness and justice.

In order to join together, amplify influence and find solutions for some of the most pressing issues in our nation, the NHCLC is hosting a multi-cultural Justice Summit focusing on protecting human rights and dignity Nov. 18-19 in Arlington, Va. The Summit, which is open to the public, will feature political, social and educational experts. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Summit attendees will lobby Congress on justice issues, including immigration, as part of the conference, and a Congressional Luncheon will be held with various leaders confirmed to join including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and Trent Franks (R-AZ).

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the nation's largest Christian Hispanic organization, emphasizes "seven directives" of Life, Family, Compassionate Evangelism, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.

FUENTE  NHCLC

CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 1-719-360-0586, mattistevenson@nhclc.org; Kristin Cole, Kristin@alarryross.com