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(CHICAGO) March 21, 2006 - The Priests for Justice for Immigrants, parishioners from the Archdiocese of Chicago and the dioceses of Rockford, and Joliet, and religious leaders from other denominations will participate in a Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s office, 27 N. River St., Batavia. Chicago Auxiliary Bishop, Gustavo Garcia-Siller will lead the delegation.
This event is a continuation of Lenten prayers services by Priests for Justice for Immigrants that started on Ash Wednesday and that will continue throughout the Lenten season with other vigils planned at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the South Beach Street Detention Center in Broadview, and another at Speaker Hastert’s Office at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5. At the April 5 gathering, participants will deliver 170,000 postcards to Speaker Hastert in support of comprehensive immigration reform.
The prayer services are part of the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform that seeks support for responsible, respectful, comprehensive immigration reform that includes legalization. Religious leaders in Illinois are urging Speaker Hastert, who will have decision-making power in conference committee, to support adding a path to citizenship for immigrants that is not part of the HR 4437 bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in December, and which is regarded by some as anti-immigrant in its current form.
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