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Protesters chant at a mass rally for comprehensive immigration policy reform on the Washington Mall - Source: Reuters -
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Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the US capital to
demand immigration reform that defends the rights of foreign
workers, but their voices may have been muted by Democrats' push
for a historic vote on healthcare.
Carrying signs that said Justice and Dignity for All U.S.
Immigrants and We just want to work, the immigration activists
filled five blocks of the National Mall.
Some protesters wore T-shirts that read, "Our journey as
immigrants is a journey for human rights."
New York Democratic Representative Nydia Velazquez said: "Every day
without reform is a day that 12 million hard-working immigrants
must live in the shadow of fear, and ... a day that a family is
torn apart. That is wrong and it is un-American."
Velazquez, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, called on
Congress and the president to reform immigration laws
immediately.
Immigration is a sensitive issue in the United States where some
10.8 million illegal immigrants live and work in the shadows and
where Hispanics, the largest immigrant group, are a rapidly
increasing voting bloc.
Despite Washington's focus on healthcare, some in the ethnically
diverse crowd were confident that lawmakers would hear about the
rally and take note of their concerns.
"I have my documents, but the majority of the people here do not.
It's time for all immigrants to support a just immigration reform.
This country really needs it because ... Latino labour produces a
lot of money for their country," said a Colombian man who lives in
Arlington, Virginia and gave his name as Jairo.
Frustrated by Congressional, Presidential inaction
President Barack Obama benefited in 2008 from a huge Hispanic
turnout, drawn by his promise to deliver immigration reform
allowing millions of illegal immigrants a path to
citizenship.
Frustrated that Obama has yet to fulfil a pledge to overhaul the
nation's immigration system, immigration supporters have warned him
to deliver this year or face the consequences in congressional
elections in November.
"A lot of these people are here like myself are voters and if they
don't do something, then I am voting against that congressman,"
said Gumecindo Salas, vice president of government relations for
the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
While Hispanics are seen as unlikely to switch support to
Republicans, who have fought immigration reform without a clampdown
on illegal immigrants, they could hurt Democrats by failing to turn
out at the polls.
On Thursday, Obama embraced a framework for legislation offered by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer.
Obama said the plan, which features a new high-tech
identification card for US citizens and legal immigrants who want a
job, "can and should be the basis for moving us forward."
But on Friday, Graham said, "If the healthcare bill goes through
this weekend, that will, in my view, pretty much kill any chance of
immigration reform passing the Senate this year."
He and other Republicans have complained about the tactics used by Democrats to win support for the healthcare bill.
