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Rep. Joe Baca to hold forum on immigration and families


07:40 PM PST on Thursday, March 5, 2009

By DAVID OLSON
The Press-Enterprise

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca is holding a forum Saturday focusing on U.S. citizens and legal residents who have family members are risk of deportation.

The Rialto Democrat will be joined by Bishop Gerald Barnes, of the Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' immigration task force.

Baca is inviting those whose families have been or could be split apart by deportation of an illegal-immigrant member to share their stories at St. George Catholic Church in Ontario.

Barnes believes that illegal immigrants are too often demonized and misunderstood, said diocesan spokesman John Andrews.

"Putting a human face on this issue reminds people that undocumented immigrants are human beings with lives, families and children...," Andrews said. "We believe this is key in changing the hearts and minds of people and having them look at undocumented immigrants and seeing themselves."

Baca said in a statement that the break-ups of families illustrate how "America's immigration system is broken" and in need of reform.

"We are all witness to the disastrous results and tragedy this has caused for too many families," he said.

Joseph Turner, executive director of the anti-illegal-immigration group Save Our State and a San Bernardino resident, said it was ironic that advocates of immigration-law liberalization were focusing on family unity, because many illegal immigrants voluntarily leave their families behind in their homelands to seek work in the United States.

The forum is one of at least 17 that are scheduled around the country, said Rebecca Dreilinger, spokeswoman for Gutierrez. Gutierrez held forums on family break-ups in his Chicago district in November and, after noting the large turnout, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus decided to expand the events nationwide, she said.

Reach David Olson at 951-368-9462 or dolson@PE.com

IMMIGRATION FORUM

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, is holding a forum Saturday on immigration focusing on U.S. citizens and legal residents with family members at risk of deportation.

Who: Baca will be joined by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Bishop Gerald Barnes, of the Diocese of San Bernardino.

When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Where: St. George Catholic Church, 505 N. Palm Avenue, Ontario

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