Latino Evangelical Leaders Condemn Census Robert Groves and Congressman Henry Cuellar's Visit To Texas Colonias

McAllen, TX - The National Coalition Of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) and the Valle De Rio Grande Conference Of Latino Pastors (CONLAMIC-TX) condemn the recent visit by Congressman Henry Cuellar and Census Bureau Director, Robert Groves, to the Texas Colonias, Latino barrios located in southern Texas, to promote census participation.

"We consider this visit to the Texas Colonias by Congressman Cuellar and Robert Groves to be a hideous act of cynicism and political opportunism," said Rev. Miguel Rivera, Chairman of CONLAMIC.

The primary question at hand that Latino Pastors have asked is "Where are the federal funds that have been allocated to Las Colonias due to the Las census count? Where are the funds allocated to Congressman Cuellars district? Latino Pastors would like an answer from Congressman Cuellar.

"In the Texas Colonias there is no water or sewer system, no public parks, no infrastructure, or public works services. We know that the residents of the Colonias were counted during the census 1990 and 2000 yet there has been no improvement no change. How can Congressman Cuellar and Mr. Groves visit to promote the census asking for participating, see with their own eyes the great need of these communities and leave with a clear conscience?" said Rev. Rivera, who also serves as the lead spokesperson for the Latino evangelical Legalization Before Enumeration campaign, a census boycott effort on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform.

CONLAMIC leaders see this as an appalling example of how disconnected public and government officials can be in their effort to push their agenda without regard for human decency and compassion. Unfortunately, this is one more example in our nation's history of seeking cooperation from underrepresented and under served populations to push a government agenda that requires voluntary provision of personal information that may expose the most vulnerable members of the Latino community to the harsh dysfunction and cruel strong arm of our dismal immigration system.

Many of these residents in the Colonias are legal temporary workers in the United States who send money to their families from Texas, Washington State, and Oregon, from the "colonies" where they settle during to work.

"Local politicians do not pay attention to the needs of the people of Las Colonias because these people cannot vote," says Dr. Antonio Bolainez, CONLAMIC Regional Vice-President based in Southern Texas.

The UNIVISION weekly TV documentary, "Aqui Y Ahora" was televised last night exposing the visits of Mr. Cuellar and Mr. Groves to the Texas Colonias where residents (women and children) were filmed carrying water from a public well to their homes because neighborhood (along the border region) has no public services whatsoever.

CONLAMIC leaders agree that Mr. Groves lacks of understanding regarding the daily struggle experienced by underrepresented immigrants experience, regardless of their immigration status in this country as do most of our nations leadership in Washington. It exposes the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to immigration reform.

Thanks to UNIVISION, a leading Spanish-language media provider and a Census 2010 partner, last night Americans witnessed the truth about the daily struggles experienced by some of the immigrants most in need, as they continue to hope and wait for President Obama to deliver his promise to fix a broken immigration system.

"Congressman Cuellar needs to apologize to Latinos who live in his district and throughout the Texas Rio Grande Valley for his role in this embarrassing visit to Las Colonias. He needs to show some humility and compassion, particularly as we near the mid-term elections," concluded Rev. Rivera.

CONLAMIC: Response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Speech

Washington, DC - The Chairman of the National Coalition Of Latino Clergy And Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) expressed profound disappointment after President Barack Obama's State of the Union remarks due to the vague comments delivered on the most important civil rights issue of the 21st century: Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

"President Obama said almost nothing regarding the urgent need to revamp and correct our broken immigration laws," said Rev. Miguel Rivera, Chairman of CONLAMIC.

After almost one hour of remarks President Obama mentioned the issue bit his statement clearly lacked a sense of commitment to achieve a comprehensive solution to the immigration problem.

Nothing in his speech gave the assurance that any specific immigration reform efforts by this administration will be directed or accomplished. He did not state his intention to move forward with a legalization initiative. Latino's in the United States expect President Obama to comply with his promise to prioritize Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

" We are deeply disappointed and frustrated in President Obama's omission of the comprehensive immigration reform issue, which is of critical importance to Latino's who mobilized to help put him into the White House. More than 67% of Latino voted for him, including many of our members, conservative evangelical leaders," said Rev. Rivera.

CONLAMIC's National Board of Directors will convene Wednesday, February 3rd, to analyze further the situation and consider a response to what CONLAMIC leaders consider a misguided presidential strategy for the next midterm elections.

CONLAMIC pastors will increase its efforts to empower its undocumented church members by encouraging them to not be counted in the 2010 Census. Leaders see it as a matter of principle as they are committed to the protection and well being of millions of undocumented immigrants who are members of Hispanic Christian churches," conclude Rev. Miguel Rivera.

Latino Evangelical Pastors Condemn Andre Bauer's Insults and Demand Resignation!

Greenville, SC - The National Coalition Of Latino Clergy And Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) and the South Carolina Latino Clergy Council called an emergency meeting on Saturday, January 30th of their members for the purpose of voting on a resolution to condemn Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer's recent comments against low income families and to demand his immediate resignation.

"CONLAMIC-South Carolina Latino evangelical pastors and church leaders, are ready to fight; first, with a letter addressed to the South Carolina State Legislature and the Republican Party, condemning the extremist views and insulting remarks by Mr. Bauer," said Rev. Miguel Rivera, CONLAMIC Chairman of the Board of Directors

Conlamic pastors report that once again, Mr. Bauers actions demonstrate alarming racial intolerance and arrogance in his interview with USA Today this morning in which he compares low income families who are struggling to make ends meet with "stray animals who- once fed, they breed" as per the USA Today reports this morning.

"The people of South Carolina have recently suffered the humiliation of Governor Mark Stanford's scandalous behavior, and now, Mr. Bauer, follows by making immoral and racist comments that insult the people of his own state. We demand retribution," said Rev. Julio Sotero, President of the South Carolina Latino Clergy Council, representing over 250 evangelical Hispanic churches in the state of South Carolina.

CONLAMIC, the largest Latino evangelical advocacy organization in United States and Puerto Rico, representing over 20,000 pastors, based in Washington DC, will provide legal and media strategic assistance to its affiliates in South Carolina, to confront this latest assault against all minorities. Rev. Rivera, its Chairman will travel to the state immediately.

"South Carolina needs to be healed from the bad behavior politicians with despicable actions who still behave as if the white rich elite are still the owners of the South. They must open their eyes and look around at their true surroundings and embrace diversity, " said Rev. Sotero.

Thousands of Latino conservative evangelical leaders are also unemployed and suffering the wrongdoings of liberal spending and out of touch politicians in DC.

The CONLAMIC Leaders' meeting will be held, Saturday, January 30th at 1200 Woodruff Road, Suite E-1, Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 297-0950 at 10:00am.

Weather permitting, a prayer vigil will be announced at the steps of the Greenville's City Hall urging action by the Republican leaders and SC legislators against Mr. Bauer.

Latino Pastors Urge President Obama To Activate TPS For Undocumented Immigrants

Washington, DC - The National Coalition Of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) delivered a letter to President Barack Obama, just as his first year in office has come to an end, and after the Massachusetts election,(which resulted a victory that gave Republicans the votes needed stop Democrat legislative initiatives in the Senate). The letter from CONLAMIC to the President urges that he move forward immediately in issuing an Executive Order, which would authorize Temporary Protective Status for all undocumented immigrants and stop Deportations.

"In light of the Massachusetts senate race outcome, its unlikely that President Obama will keep the promise that he made to Latinos to achieve Comprehensive Immigration Reform," said Rev. Miguel Rivera, Chairman of CONLAMIC.

Since 2007, Democrats have lost precious time. They have had control of both legislative chambers; to avoid fixing the broken immigration system is reprehensible and irresponsible and Pastors witness the fact that this places millions of families in more danger today by this Administration's enhancement of enforcement only approach to immigration.

"We urge President Obama to act quickly to exercise executive powers to bring peace and justice to millions of hard-working, Christian families affected by this matter," said Rev. Miguel Rivera.

Latino pastors nationwide, members of CONLAMIC, remain strong in their resolve and conviction as they remind both political entities that the Latino swing vote is more valuable for this coming 2010 midterm elections. The pattern of lies and broken promises will hurt more present incumbents.

Today, CONLAMIC is calling for a "Day of Fasting and Prayer" on behalf of President Barack Obama with an understanding that we still expect him to comply with his word.

We urge the President to call to STOP all Deportations and Temporary Protective Status for undocumented immigrants as the only alternative available at this time.

We pray that President Obama will move immediately with this Presidential Order.

Millions undocumented immigrants of Irish, Polish, Asian, Hispanic and other European descent are waiting for action by this President that if delivered, will be an outstanding accomplishment will contribute to building confidence among these communities that will lead to a more accurate and successful CENSUS 2010," concluded Rev. Rivera.

Latino Evangelical Pastors To Launch Fight Against Hate Crimes In America

Washington, DC -The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC), consisting of leaders representing 20,000 churches in America, recently approved a resolution that places hate crimes at the top of its agenda for 2010. This year, in response to rising reports from church leaders regarding increasing numbers of victimization's due to bias against Hispanics, CONLAMIC leaders will launch a campaign to fight hate crimes.

“The case of Luis Ramirez, the Mexican immigrant who was beaten to death by a number of local boys in the Pennsylvania town of Shenandoah is only one example of the injustices that are happening to members of our community due to their race and ethnicity,” said Rev. Miguel Rivera, Chairman of CONLAMIC.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes an annual report on hate crimes in America. Much more needs to be done in order to ensure effective reporting of hate crimes by law enforcement agencies.

FBI has documented that hate crimes committed against Hispanics and those perceived to be immigrants has increased in each of the past four years.

The good news is that in November, President Barack Obama signed into law the "Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act” (HCPA). HCPA is essential legislation that closes gaps in existing federal authority to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes.

“Latino Pastors want to support tough hate crime laws and vigorous enforcement, while educating communities to stop bigotry and bringing attention to this growing problem,” said Rev. Rivera.