Thousands march in Washington for US immigration reform
March 22 2010 by Liam Clifford
Calls for urgent reform to US immigration laws increased in volume this weekend, when thousands of people rallied in Washington.
Participants at the “March for
America” rally included immigrants, politicians, labour representatives and
religious leaders, and many of the signs were written in both English and
Spanish. A common theme amongst supporters of the rally was the need for the US
government to legalize large numbers of the country’s estimated 11 million
illegal immigrants.
Yulmi Rock, a middle-aged worker who came to the
rally with other members of his family says many of the illegal immigrants in
the United States are professionals who want to work but are exploited because
they are undocumented. He said many work 15-16 hours a day, holding two jobs and
are underpaid because their lack of legal status gives them no recourse or
protection.
Mely Lopez, who came to the US from Equador 18 years ago,
agreed that most illegal immigrants want to be legalized. Her own status has
meant she has not been able to return to Equador to see the rest of her family
for nearly two decades.
President Obama promised to make US immigration
reform a top priority during his first year in office, but health care reform,
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economy have instead taken centre
stage.
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