Hundreds of Immigrant Families Attend Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez First Community Orientation On Immigration Executive Action in Chicago

Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez Orientation Event in Humboldt Park on December 13, 2014
Community Effort to Educate Immigrants on Executive Immigration Action
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Humboldt Park, Chicago, IL (60654)

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, at Iglesia Rebano in Humboldt Park, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez held the first organized community engagement outreach effort to educate immigrant communities on how prepare and determine their eligibility for the Executive Action on Immigration that President Obama announced on November 20.

Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez Community Event on Immigration Executive Action
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The event called “Orientation On Immigration Executive Actions” or “Orientacion Sobre Las Acciones Ejecutivas De Inmigracion” took place at Iglesia Rebano Church, located at 2435 W. Division in Humboldt Park. The event was held from 9:30am-2:00pm.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel was also in attendance and spoke to the audience. Prior to the event, Congressman Gutierrez’s office dispersed flyers written in both Spanish and English.

Luis V. Gutierrez Community Flyer on Immigration Executive Action
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More than 500 families had pre-registered for the orientation.

Those who pre-registered received informational packets that described the Immigration Executive Action and also got the opportunity to meet one-on-one with “Family Defenders,” trained professionals who shared how to prepare for the application period, which begins approximately 180 days following the November 20 announcement.

Luis Gutierrez Community Event in Humboldt Park on Immigration Executive Action
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Congressman Gutierrez encouraged all people who may qualify for the executive actions to apply for the program so that they can avoid deportation and help keep their families together.

Laura, a U.S. citizen, discusses why she came to support the Luis Gutierrez event on Immigration Executive Action
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Approximately 5 million immigrant individuals and families could be prevented from deportation according to the Executive Action on Immigration. Chicago was among the major cities that held orientation sessions in community centers and churches. Also on Saturday in Los Angeles, more than 5,000 people lined up to attend a immigration information session to find out if they qualified for the executive actions on immigration that President Obama ordered.

Luis Gutierrez with community members at Immigration Executive Action Event
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Facts about Immigration Accountability Executive Action to defer deportations, keep families together and streamline immigration process.

1. Undocumented parents who have U.S. born children or lawful permanent resident children and who have lived consistently for 5 or more years in the U.S. will be eligible to apply for a 3-year temporary relief from deportation and work permits. The program is called Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA)


2. Anyone undocumented who was brought to U.S. as a child before their 16th birthday, also known as Dreamers, will be eligible to apply for 3-year deportation relief and work permits and will be eligible to apply for the program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)


3. For foreign students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at U.S. universities, the Department of Homeland Security will propose changes to expand and extend the use of the existing Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and require stronger ties between OPT students and their colleges and universities following graduation.


4. High-skilled workers waiting on green cards along with their spouses will be given H-1B spouses work permits


5. Department of Homeland Security will clarify guidance so that individuals with pending applications for lawful permanent resident (LPR “green cards”) or temporary status will have opportunity to travel abroad with advanced permission

For more facts about immigration executive action visit the White House website.

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Congressman Gutierrez has been a long-time advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. In October 2014, he and other advocates were arrested in front of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. where they were protested against deportations of immigrant families in the United States and demanded that Congress act on comprehensive immigration reform.