Saturday, July 04, 2009

Hundreds rally in Salinas for immigration reform

People in these demonstrations are hoping it is getting the message to the President and Congress to make immigration reform happen soon. - - Donna Poisl

By CLAUDIA MELÉNDEZ SALINAS, Herald Staff Writer

Julieta Reyes has a brother who fought in Vietnam. Ricarda Rodriguez became a U.S. citizen after almost a decade working in the fields. Hector Rojas was brought to this country when he was 8 years old. Leticia Garcia Romo is a third-generation American, the first one in her family to go to college.

Their stories, similar to those of millions of illegal immigrants in this country, were heard by hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at St. Mary of the Nativity Church in Salinas to garner support for reforming U.S. immigration laws.

"This reform that you are asking for reminds me of how much I suffered," said Rodriguez, who works as an educator at Escuela Libertad in Salinas.

The town hall meeting, conducted in Spanish with English translation, is similar to actions that have been taking place across the country. Some believe they are having an effect because President Barack Obama recently renewed his promise to push for comprehensive immigration reform this year.
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