TELEPHONIC BRIEFING: Rights Working Group (RWG) Members Begin National Dialogue on Flaws in the Immigration System

WHAT: On the record briefing with Q & A

WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 2007 – 1:00 p.m. (EDT) 10:00 a.m. (PST)

HOW: Dial: (800) 811-8824; Confirmation Code: 4836209; (913) 981-4903 (International)

WHO: Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director, Asian American Justice Center; Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director, Hate Free Zone; Taleb Salhab, National Outreach Director, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services; Kerri Sherlock, Director of Policy and Planning, Rights Working Group; and Diana Tellefson, Executive Director, United Farm Workers Foundation.

Background: Widespread concerns that our government's laws against immigrants deny basic rights to millions across America have prompted the Liberty & Justice for All campaign to begin its Night of 1,000 Conversations on Thursday, April 5. This briefing will offer the media an overview of how core American values are threatened, and how advocates and their organizations such as the Rights Working Group and its hundreds of member organizations are moving to enact positive change.

The priority of RWG is to ensure that any reform of the immigration laws fully incorporates the American tradition of respecting and protecting the rights of individuals to due process, including fair proceedings, and to government accountability. With the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy (STRIVE) Act of 2007 jumpstarting legislative action on immigration reform, members of Liberty & Justice for All seek to educate the media and the public about the government's over-reactive detention and deportation practices.

For further information, please contact Leonie Campbell at (202) 492-4591.