National Day of Dignity and Respect

Oct. 5, 2013

Today, thousands of people are taking to the streets to call on Congress to pass fair and inclusive immigration reform. A broad coalition of immigrant communities and allies from faith, labor, and civil society groups will stage over 140 events and actions all around the U.S. as part of the National Day of Dignity and Respect. Together, we will send a message that our communities cannot wait any longer. The time is now for immigration reform that includes a broad roadmap to citizenship, protects family unity, and ensures ALL workers have full access to their labor and human rights.

In Mexico, former migrant workers are standing in solidarity with immigrants and migrants in the U.S. and are calling on policy makers to fix our broken immigration system.

“Guestworkers need the government on their side. Every time that the men and women from Mexico go to work in the U.S., they leave their families behind in search of a better future. At these jobs in the U.S., many of them give so much more-their efforts, their health, and their lives. It is only fair that they be justly compensated and protected in return,” says Elisa Tovar Martinez, former H-2B worker in Maryland’s crab industry.

Next week, a delegation of guestworker women will converge on DC to make their voices heard as a part of the ongoing policy debate. They will join thousands in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday October 8 to bring our communities’ message to policymakers’ front door. CDM will be there to stand with these women and all of the other immigrant community members who are demanding change now.

In solidarity,