by Rosalba Ruíz
Already pronounced dead by president obama and key members of congress several times this year, immigration legislation remains alive in the souls and on the soles of millions of hispanics and other reform advocates.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched throughout the country may 1 to urge once again that the federal government reform the nation’s immigration laws. The april 23 passage of an arizona state law widely condemned as anti-immigrant helped fuel participation.
Advocates turned out for more than 70 international workers day events spread across 30 states. These included major rallies in los angeles, which attracted some 50,000 participants, and turnouts of additional thousands in dallas, chicago and milwaukee.
In washington, d.C., Thousands participated in protests that culminated in lafayette park in front of the white house. It was there that congressman luis gutiérrez (d-ill.) And 34 other persons were arrested for participating in a sit-in on the sidewalk in front of the white house.
“For myself, i know i am going to keep the pressure on the white house, on the leadership in my party, and on the members across the aisle. We need to get a bill passed this year,” said gutiérrez, on april 29, in response to federal immigration reform legislation outlined that day by a group of senate democrats, including majority leader harry reid of nevada and sen. Chuck schumer of new york.
This latest proposal by the democrats shows that the debate has shifted to the right, concluded a washington post analysis.
The bill emphasizes securing the border more tightly before taking steps to legalize many of the 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants estimated to be residing in the country. Analysts told the post that the democrats’ shift underscores how, in the struggle between enforcement backers and legalization advocates, the former appeared to be gaining.
Frank sharry, executive director of america’s voice, a pro-reform organization, says that, while enforcement-heavy, the latest proposal does deal with what to do with those who lack legal status. Even if “not perfect,” the revised bill addresses issues that need to be tackled as part of the reform, he said.
But what everyone does agree on is that the immigration system has to be reformed.
According to a new york times/cbs news poll, a majority of the public thinks an overhaul is needed, including 44 percent who say the system needs to be rebuilt completely and 45 percent who say it requires fundamental changes. Only 8 percent say the system needs only minor changes.
“The american people are ready for reform. What we need is courage from the leadership now,” said felipe matos, 24, an economics student who was brought to the united states at age 14. He wants to be a teacher but his undocumented status prevents him from gaining the credential that will allow him to achieve his dream.
Matos traveled to washington from miami with a group of students who embarked on foot jan. 1 On a 1,500-mile journey. They reached the white house on may 1.
The students called their campaign the trail of dreams, in reference to the dream act, a proposal that would help undocumented immigrants who arrived in the united states at age 15 or younger to obtain legal residency.
Their hope was to give president obama a petition signed by 30,000 people to stop the separation of families through deportations.
They were instructed by white house security personnel to mail in the petition. Instead, they left their shoes behind, “the same shoes we wore the day we started walking on january first, as a symbol of thousands in our communities that disappear due to our broken immigration system,” they wrote on their blog. “This is our official statement. May first is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter that all of us will write together!”
The grassroots immigration reform movement came to life in 2006 with huge protests, but it has seen no success yet. However, the demonstrations are helping the cause by mobilizing the community, says sharry.
The 2006 marches, with a common slogan, “today we march, tomorrow we vote,” helped generate three million new voters, he explains. In the 2008 election, four states with significant and growing hispanic populations that in 2004 were “red” states, turned “blue” — a message to politicians, sharry calls it.
“Marches and elections, lobbying and boycotts are aspects of the same movement,” he says. “If we are to have a victory … it’ll be in response to the mobilization of a community, the fastest growing group of voters.
That’s why i think we have a shot to have reform this year.”
More protests and marches are being prepared throughout the summer.
(Rosalba ruíz is a reporter with hispanic link news service in washington, d.C. Email her at rpruiz @yahoo.Com) ©2010
