Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), the Chair of the Congressional Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform, hosted a meeting today in her Capitol Hill office to kick off the group’s 2016 efforts. The meeting was attended by numerous members of the Women’s Working Group, including congresswomen and representatives of immigration groups. Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also attended, and spoke with attendees about DHS immigration policies. The Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform was formed in 2013 to ensure that women’s voices are heard in the immigration debate, and that America’s immigration policies reflect the interests of women and children.
“Many of the immigrants to our country are women and children, yet our immigration debate continues to give too little attention to their needs and experiences,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “The Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform will continue to fight for policies that will ensure fair and humane treatment for women and children.”
In addition to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas, meeting attendees included Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-24), Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18). Organizations represented at the meeting included the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Immigration Law Center, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, the National Latin@ Network, We Belong Together, and the Women’s Refugee Commission.
