Richmond, Va.—Virginia Organizing and other groups met with U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s office on immigration reform on Wednesday, September 4. The groups asked the Congressman’s legislative director, Cort Bush, for a commitment from Rep. Cantor for a vote on immigration reform by October.

 

“We need a vote on immigration reform,” said Virginia Organizing Chairperson Sandra A. Cook. “We cannot keep delaying comprehensive immigration reform because the U.S. House of Representatives does not want to compromise. An October deadline is a reasonable request considering the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill more than three months ago.”

 

Marco Grimaldo, President and CEO of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, attended the meeting today. “It is time for Congress and the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive immigration reform including a path to citizenship. It is morally the right thing to do and it’s the smart business decision as well. We appreciate that Representative Cantor’s office was willing to meet with us to discuss moving forward on immigration reform and we look forward to hearing back from his office on whether a vote on citizenship will come in October,” said Grimaldo.

 

In addition to meeting with Representative Cantor’s staff, Virginia Organizing and other groups delivered a petition with more than 8,000 signatures of Virginians in support of comprehensive immigration reform to the Congressman’s office. About 600,000 signatures from immigration reform supporters across the U.S. were delivered to Speaker John Boehner’s office earlier today.

 

“The House of Representatives has taken long enough to come up with a comprehensive solution to immigration reform,” said Cook. “We are only asking for a vote on citizenship. We are asking for the process of democracy to be played out and, for once, trump the politics of democracy. We want Congress to do the right thing and represent the people.”

 

A recent poll showed Virginians want comprehensive immigration reform, regardless of party affiliation.

 

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