F AST FOR F AMILIES : QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is Fast for Families?
Fast for Families is a coalition of a diverse group of partners from the faith, immigrant, labor
and civil rights communities and individuals committed to making commonsense immigration
reform with a pathway to citizenship a reality.
What is the next phase of Fast for Families?
“Fast for Families Across America” will visit more than 100 key Congressional districts across the
country to engage constituents in a dialogue about commonsense immigration reform and urge
them to act.
Where do you plan to go?
We will visit both Republican and Democratic districts. Some are districts of Republicans who
have not publicly stated their support for immigration reform and others are districts of
Democrats or Republicans who are championing immigration reform on the Hill.
Who will be fasting and for how long?
It depends. In each district, we will be recruiting solidarity fasters who can commit to a 24 hour
fast or longer.
What are you calling on people to do?
In each district we visit we will be recruiting solidarity fasters, registering people to vote and
asking constituents to contact their members of Congress to call for commonsense immigration
reform with a pathway to citizenship.
What do you think the prospects for immigration reform are this year?
We are more hopeful than ever. Last year, we came the closest ever to achieving real
immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. In June, the U.S. Senate passed a
comprehensive, bipartisan immigration bill (S.744). Now, the House of Representatives has
chance to complete the dream for 11 million aspiring Americans by addressing the moral crisis
that is our broken immigration system.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
By fasting, we hope to follow the examples of Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr. and
Mahatma Gandhi to touch the compassion and sensibilities of our elected leaders to address
the moral crisis of an immigration system that fails to comport with our national values, our
creeds and belief in justice.
What about those who say that you should settle for legalization instead of full citizenship for
undocumented immigrants?
This is America. Immigrants come to this country for opportunity and a better future. To
achieve that, they need to be equal in every way. People are eager to come out of the shadows,
pay a fine, and earn citizenship. Without a pathway to citizenship, we will create 11 million
second-class citizens. That is unacceptable and harkens back to some of our country’s darkest
days of institutionalized discrimination. We have come too far as a country to relegate people
to second-class citizenship. Unless you fight for it, you are never going to get it. We are
absolutely convinced for immigrants to have the same rights as anybody else is fundamental to
our conditions as citizens and human beings. We absolutely oppose anything that means
people are going to be second-class citizens.
Why are you doing this now?
We are closer than ever to real immigration reform that protects immigrant families and builds
a pathway to citizenship. The votes exist in the House for a pathway to citizenship. We just
need Speaker Boehner to allow a vote. It’s time for decisive action to end this moral crisis.
Do you really expect Congress to respond to your actions?
Yes. The House leadership’s inaction is inexcusable, we pray that more and more members will
listen to their conscience and their faith, support reform and apply pressure to House
leadership as a result of this act of prayer.
What do you say to those who argue that immigration reform cannot happen in an election
year?
We disagree. Members of both parties agree that immigration reform is a national priority. The
House Republicans are taking the issue seriously and seem ready to move toward introducing
legislation. They know it is the right thing to do for families, for our economy and our country.
We don’t think that political repercussions will play a role in whether they move immigration
reform forward or not.