Immigration rights activists retool reform efforts

AP ^ | Jul 31, 2009 | Sophia Tareen

[Cheap_Hessian]

CHICAGO – Activists disappointed that the Obama administration has not given immigration top billing are trying to yank the issue off the back burner by pressing ahead with lobbying and legislation plans they hope will reinvigorate reform efforts.

By honing in on national lawmakers they believe are sympathetic or can be swayed to support their cause and drawing on voters who said reform was a top priority, many immigrant rights advocates are striving to make headway at a time when the economy has become the top priority.

"We're not going to just be chanting, 'Yes we can! Yes we can!'" said Jorge Mujica, an immigration advocate in Chicago, which held the largest May 1 rallies and often sets the tone for activists nationwide. "We are going to put the pressure on discussing the details."

It's been a roller coaster ride for immigrant rights advocates pushing for reform over the past few years. When a call to action came in 2006, more than a million people nationwide marched in solidarity to fight a bill considered anti-immigrant. Since then, two legislation attempts failed. The movement fractured, and May 1 rallies lost attendance.

Then came a surge of energy with massive voter registration drives and the election of President Barack Obama, whose father moved to the U.S. from Kenya.

Many activists hoped Obama would push for immigration reform during his first 100 days in office. Some thought the president would go so far as to put a moratorium on immigration raids.

But the first hint of movement didn't come until late last month when Obama met with about 30 lawmakers. Though some immigrant rights advocates praised the meeting and Obama's vow to take up the issue this year, others complain he's been too vague on his plans.

[Tarpon]

Retooled — Just stealing the jobs Americans used to have ...

[kabar]

Then came a surge of energy with massive voter registration drives and the election of President Barack Obama, whose father moved to the U.S. from Kenya.

Obama's father never moved to the US nor was he an immigrant. His father came here on a student visa. As far as I know he never changed that status.

[Buckeye McFrog]

the lefty activist crowd practically crows it to themselves....Bam can be rolled!

[gubamyster]

ping

[La Lydia]

Campaigning against the Rule of Law, no less:

Instead of focusing on lobbying, one Chicago-based group, Centro Sin Fronteras, is focusing on putting an end to immigrant raids that often result in deportations. The group has helped host a listening tour in dozens of cities across the country where families share personal experiences on deportations and other issues. The tour is expected to continue through the fall.