Immigrant Groups Rally for Reform

Immigrants rights groups rallied at the Federal building in lower Manhattan on Wednesday, calling for President Obama to be inclusive in his immigration policies and to stop raids and deportations. (Li Xin/Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—In the face of being deported under current immigration laws, immigrants were joined by community leaders to protest in front of the Manhattan Federal Building on Jan. 21.

They called on President Barack Obama to issue immigration reform legislation to stop all raids and deportations of illegal immigrants. Similar gatherings were held in cities across the nation.

Various representatives of immigrant groups gave speeches, among which were the New York Immigration Coalition and the Families for Freedom and New Sanctuary Movement. They discussed the impact that the deportation of immigrants has on families in the United States.

“This new president was elected on a platform of inclusion, change, and hope. It is time that our new president honors those principles,” said Fernando Munoz, member of the executive committee of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities in a press release.

Among the larger concerns that were raised is the issue that some illegal immigrants have family members that are U.S. citizens. When they are deported, the families are sometimes split.

“It is a time of change. I can smell freedom in the air. I do not have to hide nor live in fear any longer,” said Joe, who has been fighting deportation for years. Joe is the father of three children from China, all of whom are U.S. citizens.