More than 100 women – many of them undocumented – were arrested today for gathering at the Capitol with demands for the House of Representatives to stop stalling on passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill. 
The women-led, women-focused “We Belong Together” protest addressed inhumane deportation and detention practices that are destroying families. Patty Kupfer, managing editor of America’s Voice, was one of the many women arrested today. In a released statement, she says, “Today’s action is about women and how they bear a tremendous burden trying to keep their families together when faced with deportation.”
The Gamiliel Network, a grassroots network of non-partisan, faith-based organizations, also released a statement:
The 100 women who were arrested came from 20 states across the country to draw attention to the fact that women and children constitute three-quarters of immigrants to the U.S. and disproportionately bear the burden of the failed immigration system. An additional 200 supporters stood witness for the group and called on the House to match their courage by passing fair and inclusive immigration reform.
Despite a record number of deportations under the Obama administration, the President has asked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use a “common sense” approach “when deciding who to deport, including a memo that’s supposed to protect children whose parents are facing deportation.”
As the legislative year quickly comes to a close, efforts such as these are increasingly important. Activists and supporters of positive immigration reform are right in that reform needs to address basic human dignity.
While the House GOP use the immigration debate as political currency, families are being torn apart. As Kupfer aptly states, “What they don’t seem to get is this: this fight is not about congressional procedures, it’s about real people with full lives, big dreams, and the courage to fight for what’s right and never give up.”
For more photos and tweets on today’s action, visit America’s Voice.
To learn more about the women at today’s action, visit 100 Women.