PRESS ADVISORY For Immediate Release Contact: Ali Noorani May 26, 2005 (617) 350-5480 ext. 201 (617) 835-1402 (cell) New Hampshire Leaders Gather to Call for Immigration Reform WHEN: Tuesday, May 31st, 11:00 am WHERE: International Institute of New Hampshire 315 Pine St., Manchester, NH WHO: Westy Egmont, International Institute of New Hampshire Margarita Fernandez-Letowski, Mexican American Association of NH Nabil Migalli, Arab-American Forum Idary Sann, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 Corinne Stahr, Granite State Organizing Project WHAT: Leaders of New Hampshire immigrant communities, local organizations and labor unions will gather on Tuesday, May 31st, 11:00 am, to highlight the positive contributions of the Granite State’s immigrant and refugee community. Speakers will call upon New Hampshire’s Congressmen and Senators to support comprehensive immigration reform as embodied by The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005, introduced May 12, 2005 by Senators Kennedy and McCain and Congressmen Gutierrez, Kolbe and Flake. The bill includes provisions that would:

Increase the number of visas available currently, so as to clear up the backlog at the immigration service;

Allow for many of the millions of undocumented workers currently in the country to pay a fine and gain temporary legal status for a period of up to six years, after which they would have the opportunity to apply for legal permanent residency;

Allow for the legal immigration of temporary workers and their families, and provide the opportunity to apply for permanent residency;

Create more programs for English language and civics education, to better integrate newcomers into society; and,

Increase border and workplace enforcement of immigration laws. Organizations that work with immigrant communities have been calling for such reform to help ease the extreme pressure on families and workers who are forced either to live apart from their families, or an underground and often exploited life, due to the unavailability of visas to meet today’s economic, political and social demand. ### MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members across New England, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.