14 major cities, grassroots lobbying by the Labor Alliance

14 major cities, grassroots lobbying by the Labor Alliance American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) President Chumka said on the 7th that they will launch a national campaign to promote immigration reform...

14 major cities, grassroots lobbying by the Labor Alliance American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) President Chumka said on the 7th that they will launch grassroots lobbying to promote immigration reform across the country, focusing on 14 cities, to call on Congress to approve providing a path for illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens. The immigration reform movement that the union is preparing to launch in various places started on the 6th in Lori, North Carolina. Organizers said a rally will be held in Las Vegas on the 11th. The remaining cities where events will be held are Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Anaheim, Denver, Atlanta, Miami, New York and Sao Paulo. President Chumka said the union will support President Obama's immigration reform plan through rallies, educating voters and pressuring officials. He said unions and business leaders will continue to work together to rebuild the guest worker program and enable companies to hire more seasonal workers. Labor unions strongly support providing a path for illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens, arguing that it will increase their wages and improve working conditions for illegal immigrants. The immigration lobbying will be similar to what the American Federation of Labor does during the election, Tszumka said, with union members using door-to-door visits, phone calls, television and advertising to build support. "Not only are we optimistic, but we are also committed to working hard," Thakar said. He said the election was a clear signal to Republicans that they must work with President Obama to implement a new immigration system, otherwise it would be political suicide.