Marching for immigration reform legislation

Peter Marcus, DDN Staff Writer
Friday, April 9, 2010





About 200 local immigrant rights advocates will leave Denver today for Las Vegas where they will join with thousands in support of comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

But foes are not concerned that a piece of legislation by Congressman Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., will be taken up by Congress this year. Critics of the reform legislation — which aims to create a path to citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants — say it is too controversial for lawmakers facing a difficult election year.

Still, immigrant rights groups are hopeful. The event in Las Vegas this weekend — with Gutierrez and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., — is expected to draw thousands of people who are expected to march in support of immigration reform. Advocates are not only trying to encourage Congress to take up the issue, but also inspire President Obama to become more passionate about the topic.

Supporters feel both the president and Congress has let them down, passing on a promise to bring about immigration reform.

“There is definitely anger, and consternation and frustration over the fact that Congress is moving so slowly,â€