USA-IMMIGRATION/RALLY Immigration activists chant "Yes we can!" following Obama's executive order

Record ID: 214812

  • Title: USA-IMMIGRATION/RALLY Immigration activists chant "Yes we can!" following Obama's executive order
  • Date: 21st November 2014
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 21, 2014) (REUTERS) IMMIGRATION ACTIVISTS MARCHING THROUGH LAFAYETTE PARK IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GUSTAVO TORRES OF CASA DE MARYLAND SAYING: "Today is a victory for many families who until now have been living in fear for being separated!" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GUSTAVO
  • Embargoed: 6th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAFUCDI572FYBEY055FKDZGQ9C
  • Story Text: Dozens of immigration activists gathered in front of the White House on Friday (November 21) to thank U.S. President Barack Obama for his executive action on immigration reform.
    Protesters held signs that read "Thank you President Obama" and chanted "Yes we can! Yes we can!"
    Executive Director of the CASA de Maryland organization, Gustavo Torres, kicked off the rally with that he said was a triumphant day for immigrant families in the United States.
    "Today is a victory for many families who until now have been living in fear for being separated," said Torres.
    Taking part in the rally were two Latina women, both of whom said they had been on hunger strike until Obama announced his executive order.
    Lenka Mendoza was on day 19 of her hunger strike and was waiting for Obama to make his speech in Las Vegas before breaking her fast.
    "Realistically I'm not thanking him (Obama). I benefit, but we were hoping it would be more generous, more just. But we're also optimistic that it's the first step to immigration reform. And we're going to refuel our work and we're off to Congress from here to work hard so that a legislative law is passed, so that the six million that were left out of the (mandate) can qualify," said Mendoza.
    Also in the crowd was a young man named Romeo Ndonfak, who said his family is back home in Camaroon.
    "I come here today to say thanks to Mr. Obama, Mr. President. We know we are with you and we are so glad for what you did today. And we're going to keep fight with you and make sure if any Republicans, we say any Republicans want to fight with you, we will be with you forever," said Romeo.
    Two demonstrators also turned out in protest of the executive order.
    "If everyone comes in and everyone is running crazy then what happens to the rule of law? We have mass craziness. I mean, I'm not against citizens having a better way, I'm against things that are blatantly illegal," Traci Hurrle said.
    Her view was echoed by Chris Underwood, who stood with her in protest.
    "I am not against immigration, I actually believe, cuz a lot of it was founded on that. My family is Native American, alright, we've got multiple generations of it. I am not against legal immigration. Illegal immigration, this bill that he's trying to pass, has anybody seen it? Has anybody read it? It's an executive order. But for every person that he allows that's here amnesty, he's also allowing their families that are not here," he said.
    Administration officials described Obama's actions as the biggest shift in immigration policy since 1986 changes enacted during President Ronald Reagan's administration.
    Some legal analysts said Congress could struggle to win a lawsuit to overturn the action since presidents have historically had broad authority to act on immigration.
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