Thursday, March 19, 2009
Illegals tell of hardship

MEETING TOUCHES ON HEALTH CARE, DRIVER'S LICENSES

By Paula J. Owen CORRESPONDENT



288 comments | Add a comment




Alejandra Lopez, center, and Carlos Piedra, right, of Fitchburg listen to speakers yesterday at the immigration forum at Fitchburg High School. (ED COLLIER)
Enlarge photo


FITCHBURG — Illegal immigrants told a government task force yesterday of the difficulties they face in day-to-day life in Massachusetts.

Seven panelists, using translators, told the Governor’s Advisory Council on Immigrants and Refugees last night at Fitchburg High School of the problems their undocumented status causes them in education, public transportation, the workplace, health care, housing and transportation.

Fitchburg panelist Oscar Zapata from Uruguay has lived in the United States 20 years.


“As immigrants, many times we don’t have secure work,â€