December 9, 2014
By Stephanie West
New York, NY — Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday December 8th, convened a special meeting of over a dozen Mayors and representatives from across the country for an immigration summit. The meeting focused on a discussion for the implementation of President Obama’s plans to act on immigration reform.
At Gracie Mansion, the summit included Mayors and staff representing 25 cities from across the country, including: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Dayton, Hartford, Houston, Jersey City, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, New Haven, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Juan, Santa Fe, Schenectady, Seattle, Syracuse, Tacoma and Washington, D.C.
“The President’s plan to act on immigration reform is crucial to creating a more just country, and the federal government is depending on cities to implement the plan. It is critical that we get it right,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Mayors are in the trenches and see firsthand the need for comprehensive immigration reform. We will take this opportunity to lay the ground work for a deeper national movement from the grassroots up.”
The discussion included the following: Planning strategies to organize local coalitions for action—including faith, business, community and labor leaders. Planning a Mayoral Lobby Day in DC.
Convening state legislator sessions to gain support for the initiative. Generating constituent activities and action plans.
Coordinating Know Your Rights events in all cities. Planning to disseminate successful stories of DREAMers.
“As the son of immigrant parents, this issue is personal to me. The President’s bold action on immigration has set the course, and now we must follow through,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “Most of the nation’s 12 million undocumented immigrants live in America’s cities, and so as Mayors we must lead on this reform to provide all of our residents with hope, opportunities and the services they deserve. We know our diversity drives our economies and makes us stronger. I thank New York City Mayor de Blasio for convening us today, and I am eager to create the change we need to see in our cities to help our residents succeed.”
