Thread: Opponents Of Immigration Bill Plan Rally In Downtown LA

http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php? ... 818&cha=10


National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Participate at Rally to Defeat Anti-Immigration Legislation in Los Angeles

Washington, DC/Los Angeles, CA--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--March 24, 2006--Today, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) President, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY) and other legislators will participate at The Gran Marcha 2006 Los Angeles rally to voice opposition to the “Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005” (HR-4437), sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman, Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Homeland Security Chairman, Congressman Peter King (R-NY).

“The proposed immigration bill is anti-American and directly disregards the lives of refugees, legal immigrants and many others. This is the time for all Americans to demand justice and respect for human rights,” said Assemblyman Ortiz. “We all know that this country was built by the blood, sweat and tears of immigrants and the many generations of those first immigrants who contribute to what makes our country a great country. We cannot allow this bill to go any further; it must be defeated.”

The Gran Marcha is being coordinated by the National Immigrant Solidarity Network and begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Broadway, and ends at LA City Hall.

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is a nonpartisan organization representing the interests of Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. NHCSL is a catalyst for joint action on issues of common concern to all segments of the Hispanic community. For more information visit http://www.nhcsl.com.

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/8240288/detail.html

Opponents Of Immigration Bill Plan Rally In Downtown LA

POSTED: 4:31 pm PST March 24, 2006
UPDATED: 4:37 pm PST March 24, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Opponents of a bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act plan to conduct a rally Saturday in downtown Los Angeles.

Organizer Javier Rodriguez said he expects several hundred thousand people to attend the event, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Olympic Boulevard and Broadway Avenue. Rodriguez said undocumented immigrants are essential to America's labor force.

"We will not accept less on the immigration reform than the pass to legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants that are in this country," Rodriguez said.

"If the politicians do not keep the public opinion of the American public -- a majority of Americans want legalization for the undocumented population - - then we will then move on a national level toward a national economic boycott," Rodriguez said.

Representatives from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office were not immediately available for comment.

A delegation of 35 Southern California religious leaders will fly to Washington, D.C., Sunday to urge Senate opposition to HR 4437.

The group will advocate for "the need for immigration reform that respects the dignity of every human being in the U.S. and therefore (we are) calling for the legalization of the undocumented who are here," said Alvaro Huerta, with the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles.

A bipartisan Senate bill proposed by John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., is a better alterative to immigration reform, Huerta said.

Under the proposed bill, illegal immigrants would pay a $1,000 fee to join a guest-worker program, and after working for six years would pay another $1,000 fee to receive a green card and obtain legal residence.

"There's a lot of hoops to jump through but we know a lot of folks are willing to go through that to become legal here," Huerta said.

However, Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who supports Sensenbrenner's legislation, said the McCain-Kennedy plan is unfair to immigrants who are in America legally.

"The problem with that proposal is it rewards those who have broken the law and it is an impediment to those who have waited patiently to immigrate here legally and obtain a work permit," Antonovich said.

"If we're going to be a nation of the law, we have to reward those who are abiding by the law and not make exceptions," he said.

On Sunday, farm workers will rally at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

About The Bill

The protests are in response to HR 4437, which would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen enforcement of the immigration laws, to enhance border security and for other purposes," according to its sponsors.

Opponents of the measure have called it racist and said it would penalize legal immigrants for associating with "illegals."

The bill would require employers to verify Social Security numbers with the Department of Homeland Security, increase penalities for immigrant smuggling and stiffen penalities for undocumented immigrants who reenter the United States after having been removed.

Under the bill, local law enforcement agencies would be reimbursed for detaining illegal immigrants. Refugees with aggravated felony convictions would also be barred from receiving green cards.

The bill was introduced by Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. Sensenbrenner's office Friday directed all calls to the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by the congressman.

"It's my hope this legislative effort will not only help regain control of our borders and prevent illegal immigration, but will also help strengthen and promote our compassionate and welcoming legal immigration system," Sensenbrenner said in a statement when he introduced the legislation in December.

"Fixing these enormous problems will require a comprehensive effort addressing alien removal, worksite enforcement, the hiring of illegal workers, border security and interior immigration enforcement as well as ensuring America's labor needs are met," Sensenbrenner said.

The House of Representatives approved the bill in December. The Senate is scheduled to begin debating the legislation Monday