WASHINGTON -- October 20 -- Over 135,000 New Voters Registered in Low-Income and Immigrant Communities

The Center for Community Change has worked with 53 grassroots organizations in 24 states to register over 135,000 first-time voters and mobilize over 250,000 voters in low-income, minority and immigrant communities as part of a non-partisan voter drive.

According to the report released by Immigration Policy Center, newly naturalized citizens accounted for more than half of the net growth in persons registered to vote between 1996 and 2000. With efforts like the Center's targeting naturalized citizens, they are likely to play a critical role in the upcoming national, state, and local elections.

Furthermore, according to a report released this summer in conjunction with the Center and the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), turnout of Latino, Asian, and naturalized- citizen voters is estimated to reach 15 million in November- roughly a 40 percent increase over 2000. Both parties are targeting minority voters and new citizens and immigration policies will play a critical role in getting these constituencies out to vote.

"Immigrant groups are realizing that they can gain power through the ballot, and bring crucial immigration issues to the consciousness of both immigrants and policymakers," said Cristina Lopez, Deputy Executive Director, Center for Community Change. "We are forcing political observers to broaden their view of voting constituencies beyond soccer moms and NASCAR dads to include immigrants."

TELEPHONIC PRESS CONFERENCE DISCUSSING NEW REPORT

WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 3 p.m. Eastern Time

HOW: Dial 1- 800-441-0022 and ask for the Immigrant Vote 2004 Teleconference

WHO:

Rob Paral and Benjamin Johnson, Immigration Policy Center

Christina Lopez, Deputy Executive Director, Center for Community Change, an organization registering and mobilizing voters in immigrant and low-income communities nationwide.

EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC National Korean American Service & Education Consortium in Los Angeles, an organization conducting voter registration and voter mobilization in the Korean and Asian community.

Jorge Mursuli, National Director, Mi Familia Vota, an organization that has registered 73,000 Hispanic voters in South Florida.

Clarissa Martinez de Castro, Director of State and Local Policy, National Council of La Raza, moderator.

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