Project depicts lives of immigrants in Shenandoah Valley

A new website was released this week by Virginia Organizing and New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center to focus on immigration stories from people in the Shenandoah Valley. The Valley Immigration Stories Project (www.vaisp.com) was done in response to U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte asking for personal immigration stories as part of the ongoing immigration reform debate.

The website features videos of people with personal experiences with the broken immigration system of the U.S.

Eduardo Robles, a Virginia Organizing Harrisonburg Chapter leader, said, “This story project is important because it puts a face to the movement. We need to share our stories, our families, our reasons for coming here, and the fear we live with every day.”

“I shared my story because I want to make sure that my voice is heard and considered in this debate,” said Isabel Castillo, a Virginia Organizing leader and immigrant rights advocate.

Virginia Organizing is meeting with Representative Goodlatte later today to share the stories and discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Virginia Organizing and New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center want to acknowledge the important work of Shaun Wright and Shelly Hokanson who produced the videos and website to showcase stories of immigrants in the local community.