State residents protest in D.C.

By KATHERINE M. SKIBA
kskiba@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 19, 2007
Washington - As the Senate is poised to decide whether to take up immigration reform again, nearly 100 people from Wisconsin protested here Tuesday for more liberal immigration laws.

The one-day trip drew 98 people traveling in two buses and a van, said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, an organizer. Neumann-Ortiz, 39, is executive director of Voces de la Frontera, which means "voices of the border."

The group took the lead in organizing mass pro-immigrant rallies in Milwaukee this year and last.

She said her group arranged the trip with the Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope for protests at the White House and Capitol.

"We want to communicate to President Bush and (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi and to members of both parties that we need a federal solution that is fair to immigrant, working-class families," she said.

By week's end, the Senate may resume consideration of a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Reform efforts sank earlier this month after nearly two weeks of debate.

Neumann-Ortiz said she's concerned that the hurdles to citizenship for the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants will be costly and prohibitive.

The group arrived about 11:30 a.m. and planned to leave Tuesday evening, she said.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=622193