Vol. 71/No. 24      June 18, 2007

The National Capital Immigrant Coalition called the rally. With banners and placards that dotted the crowd, demonstrators focused their fire on a provision of the latest immigration “reform” bill introduced in the Senate May 17.

The measure would require undocumented immigrants to pay nearly $4,500 in fines and fees per family of four to apply for four-year renewable “Z” visas that would allow them to work in the United States on a probationary basis.

After eight years, applicants could seek permanent resident status after paying an additional $4,000, showing they can speak English and that they have remained employed, and passing a background check. They would also have to leave the United States and apply from their country of origin.

“Why are they making this unjust fine?” asked José Cordosa of the Workers and Tenants Committee in Virginia, speaking at the rally. “We are workers. We clean, we build, we drive the trucks and pay our taxes. Those are not crimes for us to have to pay fines,” he said, arousing applause and chants of ¡Sí se puede! (Yes we can!).

Aníbal Orellana, 34, a construction worker originally from Guatemala, told the Militant the fines would be difficult to pay. “In my case, there’s my wife, my son, and me. That would be $15,000.”

Alicia Hernández, 12, from Alexandria, Virginia, carried a hand-made sign that read, “When will my father come home?”

“A lot of families are just like ours,” said Alicia’s mother, Luz Hernández, a 32-year-old house cleaner. “My daughter was born here. I have papers, but her father does not. We need immigration reform that allows us to be together.”

Rosa Muñoz, a restaurant worker here, was among a group carrying five-foot letters that spelled out “Legalization Now!”

Organizers said the rally had been timed to coincide with the return of Congress from its Memorial Day recess. They appealed to protesters to lobby members of Congress.

Smaller numbers of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean also attended.

Abdul Moussa from Senegal said he doubted that those who voluntarily leave the country will be able to return. “It has been 20 years since I applied to bring my brother here,” he said. “He was supposed to receive priority consideration. How will those people who leave ever get back?”

Sam Manuel contributed to this article.
 
 
Related articles:
Workers outraged at Minnesota raid
U.S. officials, employers debate new immigration bill
Immigration cops sweep through rural Washington town
End raids, deportations! Help circulate ‘Militant’!  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home