December 2, 2013
The Latin American Herald Tribune



CHICAGO – Activist groups in Chicago are preparing to participate on Dec. 12 in a National Action Day to demand that President Barack Obama halt deportations and the separation of immigrant families.

The date coincides with the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint.

Activists here and across the country are hoping that their voices are heard regarding their demand that Obama expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to undocumented migrants of all ages.

Bernardino Echeverria, a member of the United Front For Immigrants, told Efe that he is ready to hand out flyers on the local level in Hispanic churches in Chicago’s mainly Mexican Pilsen neighborhood on Dec. 12.

“I’m going to participate because it’s necessary and because I’m disappointed with the president,” Echeverria said.

Pro-reform activists point out there have been a record 2 million deportations under the Obama administration and thousands of families have been split up as a result.

Carlos Arango, with the Immigrants Rights Alliance, said in Chicago that the Virgin of Guadalupe is considered the protector of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

“President Obama has to be made to listen to the voices of millions of our united families and (make) the change that we’re seeking in this country,” Arango said.

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