On Tuesday, as part of a series of similar events throughout the nation, Colorado residents gathered in front of the Aurora Municipal Building to call upon Congress to enact a just and humane immigration reform that keeps families together. The event drew local faith leaders, congressional staff, politicians, labor unions, immigrant rights organizations, and community members, who all support Rep. Luis Gutiérrez's (Ill-D) introduction on October 13th of immigration reform principles that demand a fix to a system that rips apart American families.

State Representative Morgan Carroll offered support and urged immigration reform, “We have a clear and unequivocal need for immigration reform – it is not working for anybody in any measure.

We cannot afford to wait another day, another week, another year.”

Residing in the United States since the age of seven, Yatzin, now a mother and activist with Rights for All People, explained her personal struggle and urged sensible action. “Our families are suffering because of the inaction of politicians to provide us with workable solutions that move us all forward together. We can't wait any longer. We need to join together and push forward the principles provided by Rep. Gutiérrez for real immigration reform,” stated Yatzin.

“The moment is now,” she added.

At the event, participants delivered a community mural with more than fifty comments created at the América United for Immigration Community forum held in district with more than 400 participants to Congressional staffers from Rep. Perlmutter's office. One mural comment reads, "My children are American citizens and I have had to tell them of the danger that their father is running and that there may be a time when their dad doesn't come home."

Other community murals depicting the need for immigration reform for students, workers, and like values will be sent to Colorado Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet following the Tuesday event.

“U.S. Congressman Luis Gutiérrez and his Congressional allies have laid out principles for a real and lasting solution to the broken immigration system. It is a solution that works for our families and for América. These principles uphold our shared ideals of protecting families and communities, and outline a realistic and fair way to restore control and order to our broken immigration system,” said Emily Parkey of Rights for All People. "We need ...