Clergy, families and local mayors from PICO federations in California, Colorado and Massachusetts traveled to Washington, DC in May to deliver a statement signed by 350 clergy in 37 states asking the Bush Administration to halt mass immigration raids. Families and clergy from New Bedford and other communities told about how the raids had torn parents from children and traumatized whole communities. Congregations Building Community (CBC) in Northern Colorado and Contra Costa Interfaith Sponsoring Community Organization brought their mayors to Capitol Hill to speak out against the impact of mass immigration raids on local communities.  Richmond, CA Mayor Gail McLaughlin said that despite what federal authorities had said only 18 of 119 people arrested in a series of raids in January had criminal convictions. Greeley Colorado Mayor Tom Selders told how raids in December had left 200 families without income.  After Mayor Selders was criticized for traveling to Washington, CBC organized a community forum to promote dialogue in Greeley on immigration and the immigrant community in the city. With intense polarization over immigration policy and the collapse of immigration reform legislation in Congress, many PICO federations continue to work at a local and state level to promote civic engagement and leadership within immigrant communities, while actively building bridges between new immigrants and other residents.  

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