Immigration activists charged with trespassing call for reform in Iowa


Erin Murphy, Journal Des Moines Bureau
Immigration reform activists gather at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines on Wednesday to call for immigration reform and support two activists who are on trial after protesting at a conservative political event in January in Des Moines.


1 hour ago • ERIN MURPHY Journal Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES | Immigration reform supporters lined the Polk County Courthouse late Wednesday afternoon to show their support for two fellow activists who are on trial for trespassing after protesting at a political event earlier this year.

National immigration activists Cesar Vargas, of New York, and Marco Malagon, of Texas, were among more than a dozen protestors who stood up and shouted questions during two candidate speeches at a conservative political event in January in Des Moines. The event was hosted by U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa and the nonprofit political action committee Citizens United.

Police escorted the protestors out of the building. Vargas and Malagon said they left the event willingly and peaceably and were notified weeks later that they had been charged with trespassing.

Malagon said they face up to 30 days in jail and that he, an undocumented immigrant, could be deported.

Vargas and Malagon said the state presented its case to the jury Wednesday, and their case will be heard Thursday.

They were joined Wednesday by roughly two dozen activists who expressed their support for the pair and called on Iowans to press presidential candidates on immigration reform.

“To me, immigration reform is a much-needed reform. It is about keeping my family together,” said Monica Reyes, director of DREAM Iowa and also an undocumented immigrant. “I am in every way an American, except on paper.”

Malagon echoed the call to quiz presidential hopefuls on immigration reform.

“We want to make sure our families are given an opportunity to stay together,” Malagon said. “We know Rep. Steve King would love to deport us. All of us.”

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