by Moses Apsan, Esq.
Washington D.C. - March 17 - In just a few days, Sunday, March 21, Washington will see the largest concentration of pro-immigration reform protesters in the history of the United States. This rally, will bring together legal aliens, illegal aliens, U.S. citizens, gay, black, Brazilians, Koreans, Indian, Irish, religious and non-religious people, as well as a myriad of different groups, from our “melting pot” with one goal in common – to fix our broken immigration system; a system that if left unchecked will eventually destroy families, business and the economy of the United States.
People from communities across the United States are working together towards achieving the 279 votes needed to win just and humane comprehensive immigration reform legislation: 218 votes in the House of Representatives, 60 votes in the Senate, and one signature from the President.
There are estimated to be between 11 and 20 million undocumented immigrants, at least 8 million of whom are in the labor force. These immigrants want to “come out of the shadows” and become productive members of the American society yet have not been able to do so because their undocumented status which give them basically no rights. They have to accept lower pay and worse working conditions than would be the case if they had legal. They are unable to drive a car, attend college and join the armed forces status or even collect unemployment benefits after they have paid into the system. The effect of the current laws undercuts the potential of millions in the country, reduces the consumption power of the working class, and, even though undocumented immigrants do pay taxes, deprives federal, state and local governments of increased revenues that would come from higher earnings.
Children have the greatest problems. Some 4 million U.S. citizen children with one or both parents undocumented, who, on a daily basis face the cruel possibility of the arrest and deportation of a mother and father. Many others entered when they were young. They graduated American high schools, and now, cannot attend college, get a job or even drive a care. They are relegated to a lower class, similar to the historically “untouchables” from India. These children, who for all intents and purposes are Americans; they speak English without an accent, they are part of our culture and have little or no knowledge of their parents country and heritage.
The far right anti-immigrant lobby complain that U.S. born workers that the undocumented are "stealing their jobs" and claims that their mass deportation would "open up" jobs for U.S. born workers. They have convinced many, but these people manipulate the facts to prove their point.
Workers of every kind, immigrant and U.S. born, documented and undocumented, occupy jobs in the economy, but also create wealth by their toil and engage in other activities (as consumers and taxpayers) that create jobs for others.
A recent study by the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Institute, "Raising the Floor for American Workers: The Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform," concludes that (the legalization of the undocumented would add $1.5 trillion to our country's Gross Domestic Product over a 10 year period), and generate billions in new tax revenues each year. This translates into many thousands of desperately needed jobs. Legalizing the undocumented will create jobs, not take them away.On March 21st, a march on Washington, DC to demand immigration reform and economic justice for all Americans will happens. People from all across America will lend their voice in the fight for reform will come together as one voice on the National Mall.
President Obama said that “[t]he time for comprehensive immigration reform is here.”
Join thousands from across the country in the March For America in DC on March 21st, and demand Congress act NOW to pass immigration reform and move quickly to put all Americans back to work.
For those that cannot make it to Washington, rallies will be held throughout the country. The list is below.
Alaska
* Rally on March 21st, 4pm-5pm. Corner of Seward & Benson in Anchorage Midtown
Arizona
* March 21st, 2010 2:00pm-4:00pm Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church, 320 N 20th Dr. (Van Buren Street &21st Ave), Phoenix, AZ 85009
Colorado
* Rally, March 21st, 1pm ”Confluence Park, across the river from Senator Bennet’s office, 2300 15th St. (15th & Little Raven) Denver, CO
Illinois
* Send off Press Event, March 20th . US Cellular Field Parking Lot, Chicago, IL.
Indiana
* Send off March and Rally Friday March 19, 2010 at 5:30PM OLG: Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3510 Deodar Street East Chicago, IN 46312. Sunday March 21, 2010 4:30-6:30 PM, St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church , 519 S. Olive St., South Bend, IN 46619
California
* Send-Off press conference & blessing of the travelers. Friday, March 19, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 9149 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045-4803
* Solidarity Event, March 21st, 1pm – 5pm. St James Catholic Church, 269 West 3rd St. Perris CA 92570.
* Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m. Steps of State Capitol in Sacramento, CA.
New Hampshire
* Interfaith Blessing of the bus and bus-riders 9:30pm – Saturday, March 20th. 383 Beech St, Manchester, NH
Nevada
* Rally to echo Washington, D.C. march for immigration reform. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 21. Bruce R. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 400 Virginia St., Reno, NV.
Ohio
* The community—marchers and all– will turn out en masse for a blessing and prayer service prior to the march Send of Rally/March Saturday, March 20th at 5 p.m. the Servants of Mary Center for Peace (site of the largest statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe) 6601 Ireland Road, Windsor, Ohio.
Utah
* 12-3pm on March 21st. From Salt Lake city hall to Capitol Hill, Salt Lake City, UT
Washington State
* Press conference to show unified support for comprehensive immigration reform and to send off local delegation to “March for America”. 9:00am, Thursday, March 18 South Dome Room, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA
Wisconsin
* Interfaith Prayer Service. Thursday, March 18th at 6:39pm Kenosha Christian Center, 8035 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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