Denver, CO — Today, immigrant leaders gathered at the Colorado State Capitol West Steps to mark the start of their 60-mile Pilgrimage for Citizenship. Over the next 4 days, they will walk from Denver to Greeley, arriving at the Greeley district office of Congresswoman Caraveo on Monday, December 4th. This pilgrimage is dedicated to honoring the contribution of millions of immigrants and urging Congresswoman Caraveo and Senators Bennet & Hickenlooper to reconsider their positions on the registry update and join the rest of the Colorado Democratic delegation in supporting a pathway to citizenship through updating the registry law.
The pilgrimage signifies a collective demand from the immigrant community, calling for dignity and justice for the millions residing in the shadows. Immigrant leaders are disillusioned and fed up with empty promises from the Democratic party to deliver on a clean path to citizenship.
“We are only looking for the opportunity to contribute better to this great nation. We want to be free and are asking our Colorado delegation to support that by passing comprehensive immigration reform through an update to the registration law. We do not have to wait for the perfect moment, we can create it,” shared Omar Gomez, long time community activist and member of United for Immigration Reform.
“Our families have been asked to wait and be patient, while Democrats and Republicans try to use our lives and freedom as a political bargaining chip. We are tired of waiting and tired of empty promises. Through this pilgrimage we are simply asking to be treated with the same dignity and respect as those who were born here. We are demanding that our Colorado Congressional Delegation stand up for our families and support a pathway to citizenship through updating the registry law,” said Gladis Ibarra, Co-Executive Director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
Representatives from the offices of Congressmembers DeGette and Pettersen were present at the press conference. The coalition expresses gratitude to Congressmembers Crow, DeGette, Neguse, and Petterson for their early and continuous support in creating a pathway to citizenship through updating the registry law.
“The purpose of this pilgrimage is to motivate our federal representatives who have not yet given us their support, to let them see the leadership of the offices who are already signed on. Because only together can we achieve immigration reform. We are experiencing moments of attacks and increased discrimination and persecution against our immigrant community, and it is in the hands of our congressional delegation to help us make this change,” added Leticia Ramirez, mother and activist with United for Immigration Reform.
Press are invited to cover any portion of the pilgrimage and can do 1-1 interviews with community members participating in this event. There will also be events daily as community leaders meet with local congregations and communities along the pilgrimage route through Congressional District 8.
Event Schedule:
Day 1:
- December 1st – Starting at the Colorado State Capitol at 9am (download detailed agenda here).
- Stops at Senator Hickenlooper and Senator Bennet’s offices
- Ending at Congresswoman Caraveo’s office in Northglenn at 3:30pm
Day 2:
- December 2nd – marching from Northglenn to Brighton (agenda)
Day 3:
- December 3rd – marching from Brighton to Platteville (stopping in Fort Lupton)
Day 4:
- December 4th – marching from Platteville to Greeley
For media inquiries, interviews, and coverage opportunities, please contact Raquel Lane-Arellano at 720-345-9516. Detailed itineraries and additional information can be provided upon request.