Special Mother's Day Vigil Today Will Honor Undocumented Immigrant Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Contact: Marianna Rivera 916.386-9725 Cell: 916.429-5579
Juanita Ontiveros 916.719-3801

Attention: Wednesday Assignment Desk


Special Mother's Day Vigil Wednesday Will Honor
Undocumented Women Who Suffered From 'Unjust'
Immigration Policy, Says Immigration Reform Group

Sacramento - A special Mother's Day vigil will be held here Wednesday to
honor undocumented immigrant women who suffered because of the unjust
immigration policies of the U.S., said a prominent immigration reform group.

The Coalition Against Unjust Immigration Laws (CAUIL) will hold a
Mother' s Day Vigil Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at Southside Park across from the
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7th & T Street.

"The women we are honoring on Wednesday, which is Mother's Day in Mexico
and other parts of Latin America, are the undocumented immigrant women who
have suffered from unjust immigration policy," said Marianna Rivera, CAUIL
spokesperson.

"The vigil will also honor mothers of immigrants, wives of immigrants left
behind in the home countries and all mothers who are impacted by the
immigration experience," she added.

Rivera said the women have a variety of experiences such as the trauma from
their border crossing journeys, being left behind in their native
countries to raise their children alone, or immigrating north without
their children, having grandparents raise their children while the
parent(s) work in the United States.

"These women will share their stories and we will gather to listen and
honor all immigrant women as we honor them," said Rivera.

Men are also welcome to attend and bring offerings for their mothers that
have been impacted by the migration process. "All will have the opportunity
for honoring these women who have sacrificed so much in order to have a
better life for their children and themselves," said Juanita Ontiveros of
CAUIL.

NOTE: Spokespeople will be available beginning at 5 p.m. for media outlets.