USA: U.S. immigration activists rally for change in Washington D.C.

Record ID: 215618

  • Title: USA: U.S. immigration activists rally for change in Washington D.C.
  • Date: 22nd March 2010
  • Summary: WOMEN WITH BANNER SAYING 'WE WORK FOR AMERICA' (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JAIRO FROM COLOMBIA SAYING: "I have my documents, but the majority of the people here do not. It's time for all immigrants to gather and support a just immigration reform. This country really needs it because the power of the latino labor produces a lot of money for this country." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish)
  • Embargoed: 6th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA35VH1ELT8URKQI1UL766B9S07
  • Story Text: Tens of thousands gather in Washington D.C. to press U.S. President Barack Obama to address immigration system and urge Congress to pass legislation.
    Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, DC on Sunday (March 21) to demand immigration reform that defends the rights of foreign workers, but their voices may have been muted by Democrats' push for a historic vote on healthcare.
    Carrying signs that said "Justice and Dignity for all U.S. Immigrants" and "We just want to work," the immigration activists filled five blocks of the National Mall. Some protesters wore T-shirts that read, "Our journey as immigrants is a journey for human rights."
    New York Democratic Representative Nydia Velazquez told the crowd, "We stand here to say to the Republican leadership in the Senate, to the Democrats in the Senate and also in the House, and the President Barack Obama - we want immigration reform now."
    Velazquez, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, called on Congress and the president to reform immigration laws immediately.
    Immigration is a sensitive issue in the United States where some 10.8 million illegal immigrants live and work in the shadows and where Hispanics, the largest immigrant group, are a rapidly increasing voting bloc.
    Despite Washington's focus on healthcare, some in the ethnically diverse crowd were confident that lawmakers would hear about the rally and take note of their concerns.
    "I have my documents, but the majority of the people here do not. It's time for all immigrants to gather and support a just immigration reform. This country really needs it because the power of the latino labor produces a lot of money for this country," said a Colombian man who lives in Arlington, Virginia and gave his name as Jairo.
    Socorro Trejo, an undocumented worker from Mexico says she is there to urge the leadership to give them the same same benefits that all Americans get.
    President Barack Obama benefited in 2008 from a huge Hispanic turnout, drawn by his promise to deliver immigration reform allowing millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
    Frustrated that Obama has yet to fulfill a pledge to overhaul the nation's immigration system, immigration supporters have warned him to deliver this year or face the consequences in congressional elections in November.
    Immigration is a bitterly-fought issue in the United States where some 10.8 million illegal immigrants live and work in the shadows and where Hispanics, the largest immigrant group, are a rapidly increasing voting bloc.
    Supporters of an overhaul say illegal immigrants fill the jobs that Americans are not willing to do, while opponents say they drive down wages and are a drain on government resources.
    Many Americans were in the crowd to rally for the cause of immigration reform.
    Isaac Silver, who works for the Immigrant Youth Justice League in Illinois came to the capital with about 10,000 people from his state.
    "I think this is the beginning or the renewal of a struggle that began years ago. And looking back to any previous examples in history, these things take a long time. But we have to have resolve, we have to be clear about what we are fighting for and have to build large united actions like this one to demand it," Silver said.
    While Hispanics are seen as unlikely to switch support to Republicans, who have fought immigration reform without a clampdown on illegal immigrants, they could hurt Democrats by failing to turn out at the polls.
    On Thursday, Obama embraced a framework for legislation offered by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer. Obama said the plan, which features a new high-tech identification card for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants who want a job, "can and should be the basis for moving us forward."
    The plan also calls for bolstering border security, a new process for admitting temporary workers and a "tough but fair path" to legalization for those already in the country.
    Latino activists praised the framework, but analysts are skeptical there will be enough time or political will to tackle the issue this year.
    Conservatives, angry that there was not stronger border enforcement, helped sink an attempt at an overhaul in 2007, which would have included a guest-worker program for illegal immigrants.
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