America Ferrera: Racist immigration laws make it critical for Latinos to vote

The star of Ugly Betty is urging Latinos to vote this year, saying it is more important than any other year.  She told her personal story, as a child of immigrants. - - Donna Poisl

By Aliyah Shahid

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera says her new effort to push Latinos to vote isn't just personal— it's critical to roll back the tide of strict immigration laws being passed across the nation.

The 28-year-old actress recounted to MSNBC's Al Sharpton on Thursday how she felt labeled as an "other" while growing up in Los Angeles during the '90s push for Proposition 187, a racially-charged ballot initiative (later deemed unconstitutional) that banned illegal immigrants from benefiting from public schools, health care, and social services.

She recounted her mother telling her at the age of 8 or 9 that "people might ask you questions" and urging the young girl to understand that "You are an American. You have every right to be heard. Don't be intimidated. Don't be afraid."
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