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Gutiérrez said the Latino
community needs to find allies in its fight for immigration
reform and hold Republicans, who blocked discussion on the DREAM
Act, accountable. He said Pres. Barack Obama won the election
by campaigning on immigration reform and was able to attract two
million Latino voters. “If he wants to win re-election, he will
have to do something,” Gutiérrez said.
Comprehensive Immigration
Reform has little chance of being brought up this year, but he
is hopeful the DREAM Act will be discussed during lame duck
sessions after the Nov. 2 elections. “Fifty-seven Democrats
stood up and voted in favor of the DREAM Act, not a single
Republican did.”
Questioned by an audience
member on why the DREAM Act has not been introduced as a
stand-alone bill, Gutiérrez said it would be a tragedy if only a
portion of those undocumented can be helped. He added activists
should thank allies in Congress for their efforts and speak out
clearly and loudly at Republican rallies too. “Go to Senator
Voinovich’s office and bring the same anger, passion and energy
that you are displaying here.”
Rubén Castilla Herrera,
Ohio Director of Reform Immigration for America said the
rift between supporters of the DREAM Act and CIR needs to be
addressed. “Many dreamers are upset; they are tired of waiting
and want something done now,” said Herrera.
Gutiérrez said if CIR does
not pass, the goal and strategy should be changed to immediately
stop deportations and grant the 11 million currently in the
country Temporary Protective Status until complete reform can be
undertaken.
He said four million U.S.
born children should not have to live in constant fear of being
separated from their parents. Opponents of immigration reform
want the movement to be tired and flatter, said Gutiérrez, “It
isn’t an option for you; as long as 1,100 people are deported
every day, children lose their Mom or Dad, families are
destroyed.”
Fudge said the community
should maintain enthusiasm for immigration reform, “Stay the
course, do not be discouraged.” She said the rally being
organized on Columbus Day [observed] was not coincidence, “When
Columbus accidently landed here he started immigration that is
unstoppable.” She said immigration reform is the Civil Rights
movement of this era.
Herrera said hosting the
event at Mt. Sinai is a great proactive step in building
partnerships between Latinos and the African-American community;
“Hispanics must support them in causes important to their
community as well.”
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