Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=141347
Story Retrieval Date: 2/9/2010 8:53:25 PM CST
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Angry Chicago immigration reform activists heading to DC to lobby
by Jessica Binsch
Oct 07, 2009
Emma Lozano, founder of Sin Fronteras and one of the trip’s organizers, said the Latino community feels frustrated with a Democratic administration that hasn’t made good on campaign promises to Hispanic voters.
“Instead of the comprehensive immigration reform that we were promised,” Lozano said, “the deportations, raids and separation of families have increased under the Obama administration and a Democratic majority. Therefore, the Latino community is angry.”
Lozano estimated about 300 people will be joining the trip that starts Monday evening. Participants will meet with lawmakers and lobby for immigration reform. In addition to Sin Fronteras, a number of groups within the Reform Immigration for America National Coalition are taking part.
“This is our final notice,” Lozano said.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Chicago) is expected to announce details of a new immigration reform bill on Tuesday. His office declined to give further information on Wednesday, preferring to wait until next week's announcement.
Illinois has long been a destination for immigrants to the U.S.
A 2008 report by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press estimated that 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants live in the U.S., around 450,000 of them in Illinois.
