It’s a brand new year, but if Republicans thought that immigration reform advocates were going to ease up, they’re mistaken.
Last year, supporters of reform accosted Speaker Boehner outside his favorite Washington, DC diner, prayed outside his office, and held a pre-dawn vigil outside his house–all to push the Speaker toward passing immigration reform in the House. Today, dozens of advocates organized by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada and AFL-CIO waited for Boehner outside his Las Vegas fundraiser for Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), to remind Boehner that millions of immigrants are still waiting on legislation. The Las Vegas Review Journal covered the event:
Laura Martin, a spokeswoman for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said 11,000 people are getting deported each day while Congress drags its feet in approving comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented people living here.
“We can’t play politics with people’s lives and families,” Martin said.
Demonstrators waved U.S. flags and carried signs saying “Stop Separating Families” and “Stop Playing Games.” One drummer banged so hard on his instrument that he broke through the drum’s skin. Passing cars honked in solidarity.
Chants switched from English — “Do your job! — to Spanish: “Queremos la reforma!” or “We want reform.”
View pictures and video of the rally below, or read the Las Vegas Review Journal’s coverage here.
