Yesterday marked a “National Day of Action” for immigration reform. From Atlanta, Los Angeles, Tampa, Charlotte, Austin, and Washington, DC – all across the country – thousands of activists, immigrants, and allies, joined together to march in hopes of pushing the “Gang of Eight” and Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform immediately. After much pushback from anti-immigrant activists and legislators, stalling, and debate over language and provisions, the bill is expected to – hopefully – drop today. Check back at Imagine2050.org for updates as this story develops.
From ABC News | Univision:
Immigration Rally Pressures Congress to Act Fast
By Jordan Fabian
Immigrant activists are rallying in the nation’s capital on Wednesday, and they are sending a specific message to Congress: quicken the pace of immigration reform.
Organizers estimate tens of thousands of people will gather in front of the Capitol in support of an immigration. That could present a stark visual to lawmakers considering whether to support a bill. But activists are also speaking directly to members of Congress and their staffs about their demands.
Over 1,100 members of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement attending this week’s rally are meeting or holding demonstrations at 76 congressional offices, according to spokeswoman Donna de la Cruz. Those include meetings with supporters of the bill, such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), and protests at opponents’ offices.
Activists who made the trip want members of Congress to speed up work on the bill.
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From The Huffington Post
By Elise Foley
Senate Immigration Plan Takes Shape As Rally Keeps Up Pressure
WASHINGTON — Senators in the so-called gang of eight are coming close to a deal on immigration reform, and Democrats spent Wednesday assuring both activists and their colleagues on the left that the bill won’t pursue border security to the detriment of a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) briefed the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on the immigration deal in the afternoon, and Menendez headed outside later in the day to speak to thousands of immigrants and allies who gathered outside the Capitol for a rally demanding swift immigration action.
One of the biggest issues for rally attendees was the pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and the question of how closely it will be tied to border security.
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