Laredo, TX – On Thursday, August 29^th, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) and Laredo Catholic Bishop James Tamayo spoke in a town hall meeting on the need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  Bishop Tamayo presented the Catholic Church’s position on immigration reform and encouraged audience members to actively advocating for reform, highlighting individual stories of immigrant families.  Congressman Cuellar provided an update on the current status of legislation regarding immigration reform in the United States Congress and discussed the benefits immigration reform will bring to the United States economy. 

“As the son of migrant farm workers and lifelong resident of the border, I have seen first-hand the benefit immigrants from all over the world bring to our culture and our economy,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28).  “Immigration is not a new phenomenon and it is one we are especially familiar with in South Texas. We must take advantage of the current momentum and desire for change to come to an agreement that includes a viable border security plan that limits the influx of illegal immigrants and legal visa overstays, a guest worker plan that provides an avenue for farm workers and high-skilled employees to benefit our economy, and a pathway to citizenship for the 11 to 12 million immigrants currently living in the shadows of illegal status.”

Over 200 people attended the immigration town hall meeting at which Bishop Tamayo and Congressman Cuellar spoke.

“Through prayer, and with this public discourse, we hope to bring Catholics and all people of goodwill together to find a human solution to our immigration crisis. The U.S. Bishops are united in the view that the status quo is unacceptable and that comprehensive immigration reform is needed," Bishop Tamayo said. 

Congressman Henry Cuellar speaks with Laredo Bishop James Tamayo on the need for immigration reform

The event was open to the public and the media.