Several hundred Oregon children born to undocumented immigrants are expected to march and rally Saturday in Salem.

By Thelma Guerrero-Huston • Statesman Journal • October 6, 2010


The children aim to remind lawmakers that the Constitution guarantees their citizenship, said Francisco López, director of the Salem-based CAUSA, an immigrant-rights group.

It's the first time an immigration rally is being held by children in Salem, López said.

A children's march around the Capitol and the Capitol Mall will follow the rally.

Children born to undocumented immigrants living in the United States are citizens as stated in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and the Immigration Act of 1952.

Efforts to change the citizenship rule for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants has come up during every Congressional session since 1995, including this year.

But as in the past, proposals introduced this year never made it to a vote.

A broad immigration reform bill was introduced Sept. 29 in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. The bill calls for stronger border security to prevent people from entering the U.S. illegally, beefed-up workplace enforcement to limit employment of undocumented workers and cutting delays in legal residents bringing their family members to the U.S.

The bill is not likely to be taken up this year.

"Children are future voters," said Lorena Manzo of Woodburn, whose two children, Diana Sanchez, 12, and Noe Sanchez, 8, plan to participate in the rally.

"They will remember those who want to take away their citizenship," the mother said.

Saturday's gathering will include speeches by children, who are expected to come from Redmond and Bend, as well as from Eugene and Portland.

The event is expected to last about 90 minutes.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article ... 60308/1108