Rep. Jayapal Appointed Co-Chair of Congressional Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), the Co-Chair of the Congressional Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform, announced that Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) would join her as Working Group Co-Chair during the group’s 2017 kickoff meeting on Thursday. The meeting, which was held at Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s Capitol Hill office, was attended by numerous members of the Women’s Working Group, including congresswomen and representatives of immigration groups. 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.
“I am so excited to have Congresswoman Jayapal join me as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “As an immigrant to America herself, a longtime civil rights activist, and the first Indian American woman in the House of Representatives, her experiences and dedication will enrich our group and our mission. As we prepare for a Congress in which the needs of immigrant women and children will be a prominent issue, I could not be prouder to be working with Congresswoman Jayapal and every member of the Women’s Working Group to ensure these women and children are treated with compassion and care.”
“Women and children bear the brunt of our inhumane and broken immigration system. Yet, they have no seat at the table,” said Rep. Jayapal. “I’m honored and humbled to be appointed as co-chair of the Women’s Working Group. As an immigrant woman of color, I’ve been fighting for justice in our immigration system for years. I pledge to bring the same passion and commitment to the group as we work to reform our nation’s laws. I’m proud to be working with a leader like Congresswoman Roybal-Allard to defend and protect immigrant families from this president’s policies.”
In addition to Congresswomen Roybal-Allard and Jayapal, meeting attendees included Congresswomen Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Karen Bass (CA-37), Judy Chu (CA-27), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Norma Torres (CA-35). Organizations represented at the meeting included Catholic Charities USA, the National Council of La Raza, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, We Belong Together, and the Women’s Refugee Commission.
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Issues: Immigration