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Latino Congreso Expected to Blast Immigration Bill Direction

September 26, 2006


National Latino Congreso organizers have scheduled a press conference Wednesday to oppose what they say is Congress' last minute attempt to pass enforcement-only immigration legislation.

One of the immigration reform proposals is building a 700-mile border fence that would cost more than $2 billion.

Earlier this month, National Latino Congreso organizers held a five-day conference of Hispanic leaders and community members, billed as the first comprehensive gathering of Hispanic leaders in nearly 30 years.

Some of its organizers include the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, National Hispanic Environmental Council, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).

The gathering was aimed at developing a national policy agenda for Hispanic advocacy organizations. One of the resolutions adopted by the National Latino Congreso is an opposition to local law enforcement of federal immigration law.

The National Latino Congreso also supported comprehensive immigration reform bills related to students and agricultural employees that the "U.S. House of Representatives ignored and are not part of the bills being debated this week," the organizers said.

The 1 p.m. hearing will be held at MALDEF headquarters, 634 S. Spring St., Los Angeles.

For more information please contact Tania Llavaneras at 323-972-6620.