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Feb 15, 12:10 AM EST

Hundreds protest bill that would limit jobs to illegal immigrants
By JOANN LOVIGLIO
Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Several hundred people, many of them undocumented immigrants, gathered at Independence Mall on Tuesday to protest a bill in Congress that seeks to stop unlawful immigrants from getting jobs.

Demonstrators waved flags from Mexico, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic and chanted "Si se puede" - "Yes we can" - as they packed the snow-covered lawn of the Independence Visitors Center, across the street from the Liberty Bell.

"We are united and we will fight for liberty," said Angel Cordero of Camden, N.J., who held a sign that read, "We Are All Immigrants." Other demonstrators and speakers hailed from countries including China and Indonesia, and spoke to the crowd in their native tongues.

The protest was called "A Day Without An Immigrant," because many demonstrators did not go to work as a way to illustrate how the absence of undocumented "shadow workers" affects businesses. An estimated 11 million workers - roughly 5 percent of the U.S. work force - are undocumented.

The work stoppage was planned for Valentine's Day because many of the protesters are Mexicans who work in Philadelphia's restaurants. The holiday is one of the busiest dining days of the year.

"They know that they could lose their jobs but they also understand why it was so important to come out today," said Ricardo Diaz, one of the event organizers.

The Border and Immigration Enforcement Act of 2005 passed the House in December and is awaiting action in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Under the measure, undocumented immigrants would be categorized as aggravated felons and anyone who assists them - from employers to clergy - would be classified as criminal "alien smugglers."

Rally organizers urged attendees to tell Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to reject the bill and instead support reforms that would help illegal immigrants to earn legal status so they could remain in the United States.

"We are the ones who work the vegetable fields, we are the ones who wash the dishes and clear off the tables in all the restaurants," demonstrator Jose Aguila said through an interpreter. "We are here to work and to make a better life for our children and we must stand up for ourselves and not hide in fear anymore."

About five counter-protesters held up signs across the street from the rally that said illegal immigrants should be jailed.

On the Net:

http://www.daywithoutanimmigrant