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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Immigrants Urged To Go To Service Centers Despite Mass Murders

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Monday, April 6, 2009   

New York, NY — Following the murders of 13 people at an immigrant service center last Friday in Binghamton, N.Y., immigrant advocates are concerned that the tragedy might give some immigrants second thoughts about getting the training they need to become productive citizens and find work. Amy Sugimori, executive director of La Fuente, says if anything the tragedy points out how important it is that immigrants have access to as much training as possible, so they can learn the skills they need to fully integrate into society.

"There were many immigrants there who were learning English, taking classes, looking forward to becoming productive United States citizens — and we would want to encourage that work, encourage people to participate in classes and activities like that."

Authorities say 41-year-old Jiverly Wong (Vong) shot and killed 13 people and wounded four others at the American Civic Association, then killed himself. Wong had been laid off and had been taking English classes at the Center. Anger at low pay, loss of work and failure to learn English were his apparent motives.

Javier Valdes with Make the Road New York says the killer's acts were irrational, but his frustration with learning English does point to a pressing need.

"In this downturn, learning English is vital for the immigrant community, so these people are able to provide for their families."

Interfaith leaders will be calling for swift action on immigration reform today as Holy Week begins and Jews prepare to celebrate Passover. Sugimori hopes immigration opponents will not try to use the actions of one troubled person in Binghamton to try to sidetrack what she says are needed reforms.

"Some folks might want to make generalizations, or might want to use a tragedy in order to make a political point, but this was just what it was: a tragedy that was a senseless, senseless act."

The interfaith news conference will be held at 11 a.m. today at Interchurch Center, Stockman Lounge (1st Floor), 475 Riverside Dr., New York.




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