Thread: Illegals and Backers to Rally in D.C.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/11/1 ... rs-to.html

Undocumented aliens, backers to rally in Washington
BY ALFONSO CHARDY
achardy@ElNuevoHerald.com
Men and women from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and other countries are spending their evenings at a Homestead community center writing slogans on large white sheets of paper.

``No More Raids,'' says one. ``No to the Separation of Families,'' reads another. ``Obama, Keep Your Promises,'' says a third.

The placards convey the aspirations of hundreds of undocumented immigrants and their U.S-born supporters who plan to board buses next week in Homestead and other Florida cities to participate in a March 21 march and rally in Washington, D.C. urging President Barack Obama to champion immigration reform.

``I'm going to Washington because the issue affects me personally,'' said Cynthia Moreno, an undocumented Mexican immigrant at Miami Dade College. ``I need the reform for myself, and for the millions of other undocumented immigrants living in the shadows right now.''

Moreno, 19, was one of about a dozen undocumented immigrants and supporters preparing placards this week at the offices of WeCount!, an immigrant rights organization in Homestead.

The rally comes at a time when the Obama administration appears ready to renew the uphill battle to legalize an estimated 10.8 million undocumented immigrants.

On Thursday, immigration reform advocates met with President Obama and were reassured of his commitment. Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are drafting a bipartisan immigration reform bill.

In a speech last June, Schumer expressed optimism about the legislation, saying that Obama's ``leadership will be the critical difference in getting us over the hump this time around.''

Immigration activists plan to bring tens of thousands of supporters and undocumented immigrants to the nation's capital rally as a way to intensify pressure on the White House to act quickly on immigration reform.

``Florida's participation in the Washington event is remarkable,'' said Ali Noorani, executive director of Washington-based National Immigration Forum, one of the groups involved in organizing the rally.

Noorani said Florida organizers were planning to send 40 busloads to Washington, including about half a dozen from South Florida.

Moreno and the others are hopeful but skeptical of seeing legislation become law.

They desperately want immigration reform so they can stop being fearful of being deported, but are also tired of government promises.

Former President George W. Bush tried -- and failed -- several times to convince Congress to pass an immigration bill, while Obama last year put immigration reform on the back burner to advance healthcare reform.

``We have been fighting for immigration reform for years and nothing has happened,'' said Sebastián Sebastián, a 29-year-old Guatemalan artist in Homestead who will travel to Washington on one of the buses. ``It's time the government fulfills its promises.''

``We have been fighting for immigration reform for years and nothing has happened,'' said Sebastián Sebastián, a 29-year-old Guatemalan artist in Homestead who will travel to Washington on one of the buses. ``It's time the government fulfills its promises.''

You do not have the right to fight for immigration reform in a country you don't belong in.

Do these people use a brain?

This is absolutely disgusting! There is probably no other country in the world that would put up with illegal aliens parading around in front of lawmakers demanding amnesty. What is wrong with our government? ICE, police, and the National Guard should be ordered to apprehend and prepare to deport every single illegal alien that has the audacity to show up at these rallies.

Originally Posted by butterbean

This is absolutely disgusting! There is probably no other country in the world that would put up with illegal aliens parading around in front of lawmakers demanding amnesty. What is wrong with our government? ICE, police, and the National Guard should be ordered to apprehend and prepare to deport every single illegal alien that has the audacity to show up at these rallies.

I said that they should be deported in the comments after the article. It will be interesting if they edit it. Also I wonder if the signs they are working on are in English or Spanish.

Originally Posted by swatchick

No to the Separation of Families'

We do not want you to be separated from your families either. Go back to your home country and reunite with your family there. Then you can remain together for the rest of your lives and give up the foolish idea that whining and crying wolf over being a victim of racism gives you the right to enter another country and break its laws...

Originally Posted by CindyB

You do not have the right to fight for immigration reform in a country you don't belong in.

Do these people use a brain?

No they don't have a brain, if they did they would not march since it will greatly help our movement.

They desperately want immigration reform so they can stop being fearful of being deported, but are also tired of government promises.

``We have been fighting for immigration reform for years and nothing has happened,'' said Sebastián Sebastián, a 29-year-old Guatemalan artist in Homestead who will travel to Washington on one of the buses. ``It's time the government fulfills its promises.''

What "government promises"? The only "government promise" is to deport you. Maybe you means the promises from some corrupted, treasonous politicians, obviously these people are not smart enough to know the difference. Well we hope to deport lots of these traitors along with you.

Originally Posted by Bowman

Originally Posted by CindyB

You do not have the right to fight for immigration reform in a country you don't belong in.

Do these people use a brain?

No they don't have a brain, if they did they would not march since it will greatly help our movement.

Wave those mexican flags HIGH!

Make sure all of America sees you! We need more of America to get pi$$ed OFF!

Originally Posted by SicNTiredInSoCal

Wave those mexican flags HIGH!

That's what I told them on their bulletin boards, Americans love to see those colorful foreign flags!!

Originally Posted by millere

Originally Posted by swatchick

No to the Separation of Families'

We do not want you to be separated from your families either. Go back to your home country and reunite with your family there. Then you can remain together for the rest of your lives and give up the foolish idea that whining and crying wolf over being a victim of racism gives you the right to enter another country and break its laws...

I didn't mention separation of family but the artilce did. They make me sick as I came legally and we were separated while going through the process. Another interesting fact many illegals leave their spouse and kids bakc home, work here and send money back. I guess they think it is okay when they choose to do it only. Well that is not the way it works.