A message from Raul Raymundo

Dear friends and supporters,

Our country appears on the verge of dramatic immigration reform, and we are proud to be at the forefront of these historic changes at the local, state, and national level.

The Resurrection Project (TRP) has long advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, believing that it is for the benefit of the individual and the country. The economic value undocumented immigrants bring into the economy can be measured in the billions of dollars. The value they bring to our society by pursuing higher education, joining the military, or simply contributing to our national narrative is more difficult to quantify—yet may have the strongest impact. But those who come to this country to work hard and seek a better life also deserve a life of dignity, a life without fear. They deserve no less than any one of us would want. That is why TRP and its partners have been at the forefront of this fight. We advocate for the undocumented individual and the country alike.

In late November, a member of our staff, Erendira Rendon, appeared on CNN to discuss the importance of new legislation—SB 957—that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for temporary drivers’ licenses. The passage of such a law would help thousands of undocumented families while making our roads safer by dramatically reducing the number of uninsured, unlicensed drivers in Illinois.

In January, SB 957 passed the Illinois legislature. It was a historic moment, and our elected officials chose to celebrate alongside TRP and its partners. Mayor Rahm Emanuel held a celebratory press conference at the La Casa Student Resource Center the day SB 957 passed the Illinois Senate. And on January 27, Governor Quinn signed the legislation into law at a press conference at Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy.

We are excited about the new legislation, but understand that it’s only one step toward comprehensive immigration reform. We are hopeful that President Obama’s proposals for immigration reform, and proud that our state has become a model for others to follow. We will continue to work with our partners and elected officials to ensure that the historic victory of the past month is but a prelude to larger victories that will preserve the rights and dreams of thousands of people.

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