Latina reproductive health advocates join April 10 mobilization for citizenship

Today, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) joins a nationwide mobilization calling for compassionate, inclusive immigration reform that includes roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million aspiring citizens in the United States. NLIRH activists across the country are lifting their voices to call for an immigration reform package that advances the health of immigrant families and communities and recognizes the contributions of immigrant women.

“Today, thousands of immigrant Latinas, their families and their communities will stand together to call for a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million aspiring citizens living in the United States,” notes Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. González-Rojas adds, “We stand together today in Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta and throughout the country to call for an immigration reform package that recognizes immigrant Latinas’ contributions and advances health and opportunity for all.”

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health will be mobilizing activists in Washington, D.C., New York City and Atlanta to elevate the call for immigration reform to advance the health of immigrant Latinas and their communities. NLIRH activists and coalition partners will also be live-tweeting with #4immigrantwomen and engaging in other social media activities.

“As our country moves toward reforming immigration policy, the health care needs of immigrant Latinas are at risk of being marginalized. That’s why the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health will stand in solidarity with immigrant women and work with policymakers to find commonsense solutions that keep our families healthy and our communities strong” notes González-Rojas.

Background

Immigrant Latinas face additional barriers to health insurance and health care due to lack of culturally and linguistically competent health services, poverty and other factors. One of the most significant barriers to health care for immigrant Latinas is lack of access to health insurance because of immigration status: 45 percent of immigrant Latinas live without health insurance. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation demonstrated that there is high public support for advancing immigrant equity in health through immigration reform. Earlier this year, NLIRH and allies issued a Statement of Principles on Women and Immigration Reform. NLIRH also serves as a steering committee member and co-founder of the National Coalition for Immigrant Women’s Rights.

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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national organization working on behalf of the reproductive health and justice of the 24 million Latinas, their families and communities in the United States through public education, community mobilization and policy advocacy.