Protestors Call for Change in Immigration Legislation
Immigration
New Bedford Standard Times
Matthew Huisman
Boston University Washington News Service
2/12/08
WASHINGTON- Chants of Si se puede (Yes we can) filled the cold air in front of the Health and Human Services Department building Tuesday morning, where more than 200 protesters voiced their disapproval of current immigration legislation and their support of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The protesters, representing nearly 100 immigrant-rights organizations from 30 states, were attending the Standing FIRM (Fair Immigration Reform Movement) Summit sponsored by the Center for Community Change, a Washington-based group that advocates for low-income people and “communities of color.”
The second FIRM Summit coincided with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ announcement that it would allow immigrants seeking permanent residence visas (so-called green cards) to bypass the FBI background check.
The decision affects applicants whose status is complete except for the background check and could allow up to 47,000 applicants to be approved for permanent status while awaiting completion of the FBI checks, said Chris Bentley, the immigration services press secretary. He said he expected the first green cards to be issued next month.
“We’re here today as delegates and allies from all over the United States standing with FIRM,” said Martha Sanchez of the Gamaliel Foundation, a coalition of grass-roots organizations. “We’re families, workers, neighbors, coming together to solve problems collectively because we believe in community values,” Ms. Sanchez said during the rally.
Participating in the FIRM Summit and also at the rally was Gabriel Quintero, an immigrant from Mexico City who has been living in Waukesha, Wis.
“As an immigrant, I feel like it’s not fair what is going on with the laws,” Mr. Quintero said. “I do my best in the name of 12 million people, write my boys and ask for justice for all. We are here because we come to make this country better. We don’t come here to steal any jobs. We are here to give our best and try to raise our family in this great nation.”
Ms. Sanchez introduced three speakers who provided their own testimonials, including Dedra Lewis, a Springfield, Mass., resident. Ms. Lewis spoke about losing her health insurance coverage when she switched from a full-time job to a part-time job to take care of her daughter, who contracted uveitis, an inflammation of the eye that can lead to blindness.
“If I didn’t have SCHIP, my daughter would be blind,” Ms. Lewis said. She pleaded with Washington politicians to continue the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for the sake of the millions of children who lack health insurance.
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