“Immigrants rally for reform - Asbury Park Press”

Immigrants rally for reform - Asbury Park Press

Posted: 10 Apr 2010 05:43 PM PDT

LAKEWOOD — They want reform, now.

That's what about 300 people, mostly Hispanics, chanted Saturday as they marched along Route 9 and Clifton Avenue, carrying red, white and blue balloons, American flags and megaphones.

"We are marching because we want immigration reform passed in 2010," said Jose Villanueva, a march organizer. "We need it passed to fix a broken system we have now."

There are more than 10 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Now that an overhaul of the health care system has been passed, immigration reform is quickly becoming the new issue of the day.

The march was organized by New Labor, an advocacy group with an office here. Protection for undocumented workers when they are threatened or not paid by their employers and protection for families who are torn apart by deportations are chief among New Labor's reform wish list.

The marchers on Saturday simply wanted to grab the attention of one congressman, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who represents Lakewood.

"We know that Chris Smith will do the right thing," said Marien Casillas, the executive director of New Labor. "We need to get the support of Smith. He understands the rights of families."

Smith, a staunch Roman Catholic, has lobbied for human rights throughout the world during his long tenure in the House of Representatives. A Smith spokesman did not immediately comment Saturday afternoon.

The march here was one of many throughout the country. The most notable was the march in Las Vegas, where a crowd of 10,000 people was expected. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was slated to speak.

The marches throughout the country were a follow-up event to a march on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. late last month attended by tens of thousands of people. New Jersey sent the third largest contingent to the capital, Casillas said. Her group sent 15 buses full of people.

In a videotaped message presented on giant screens to thousands marching on the National Mall last month, President Barack Obama warned of the cost of inaction. He said problems with today's immigration system include families being torn apart, employers gaming the system and police officers struggling to keep communities safe.

Obama said he would work to forge a bipartisan consensus on immigration reform this year.

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