Harrisonburg, Va.—A new website was released today by Virginia Organizing and New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center to focus on immigration stories from people in the Shenandoah Valley. The Valley Immigration Stories Project (www.vaisp.com) was done in response to U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte asking for personal immigration stories as part of the ongoing immigration reform debate.

 

The website features videos of people with personal experiences with the broken immigration system of the U.S.

  

Eduardo Robles, a Virginia Organizing Harrisonburg Chapter leader, said, “This story project is important because it puts a face to the movement. We need to share our stories, our families, our reasons for coming here, and the fear we live with every day.”

  

“I shared my story because I want to make sure that my voice is heard and considered in this debate,” said Isabel Castillo, a Virginia Organizing leader and immigrant rights advocate.

 

Virginia Organizing is meeting with Representative Goodlatte later today to share the stories and discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

 

Virginia Organizing and New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center want to acknowledge the important work of  Shaun Wright and Shelly Hokanson who produced the videos and website to showcase stories of immigrants in the local community.

 

 

To interview a spokesperson for Virginia Organizing, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.