Activists traversed Orange County on Tuesday to call on Congress to support President Barack Obama’s plan that would clear a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are here illegally.
The 50-plus-strong group traveled by chartered bus to stops in Orange, Brea and Irvine, drawing hundreds of supporters. Meanwhile, about a dozen protesters rallied against the group in Brea, saying that an amnesty plan will hurt American workers and unfairly reward people who have broken the law.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles organized the event called the Keeping Families Together Tour, which included stops this week in Los Angeles, Sacramento and other regions in California.
The group’s first Tuesday stop, at 11 a.m. in Orange, drew 200 people to the parking lot next to the offices of the SEIU United Works West, on the 1900 block of West Chapman Avenue. Other groups, including the Korean Resource Center Los Angeles and some service-worker unions, also participated.
“Today is about fighting for our families,” Angelica Salas, CHIRLA’s executive director, told the crowd. “We’ve been to Washington, D.C. We’ve been to Sacramento. Now we’re here in Orange County.”
The rally included a short march along Chapman Avenue, with drummers leading chants of “Si se puede” (“Yes, it can be done”). Marchers carried large banners and picket signs that read “Pathway for citizenship,” “Fix the broken system” and “Legalization now.”
Leticia Santibaez, who rode on the chartered bus, said the tour across Orange County was aimed at bringing attention to families that have been separated by deportations.
“We need to protect children from losing their parents, who are labeled as criminals for the simple fact that they wanted a better life for their families,” she said.
In January, Obama said comprehensive immigration reform is one of his top priorities for his second term. His plan includes placing an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants on a pathway to citizenship, cracking down on businesses that employ people illegally and tightening security at the borders.
The group pulled up at about 1 p.m. to the Brea office of Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton. Royce, who was in Washington, D.C., has sponsored and supported legislation calling for the construction of a 700-mile fence along the Mexican border, requiring English-only government services and implementing mandatory work-authorization verification.
They were met on the street by a dozen people advocating against amnesty and for legislation tightening immigration laws.
“We’re against amnesty in any shape or form,” said 70-year-old Westminster resident Vaughn Becht as he waved an American flag to passing motorists. “They cross the border willy-nilly and expect handouts. They come from a culture of takers and produce next to nothing.”
The anti-amnesty supporters said they were from the California Coalition for Immigration Reform and California’s Crusader.
Robin Hvidston, executive director of California’s Crusader, said people who come to the U.S. illegally for jobs displace workers who are American citizens.
“We oppose illegal immigration because we support American workers,” Hvidston said.
Although protesters from opposing sides occasionally argued and traded verbal jabs, the event appeared peaceful. There were no arrests, Brea police said. Shoppers watched the demonstration behind store windows.
The immigrant-rights group marched for an hour outside Royce’s office. Several of the group’s leaders met with members of Royce’s office and discussed immigration policy.
Royce later released a written statement: “We are hearing renewed interest from all sides on the immigration issue. … I will say this, however, I have long-standing views that border security must be front and center.”
At 3 p.m., the chartered bus arrived at the offices of Rep. John Campbell, R-Irvine. Activists picketed and marched, demanding the congressman embrace the president’s immigration plan. Campbell’s aides also met with activists during the rally.
Min Ji Lee, 18, shared her story of how she was brought at age 3 to this country from South Korea on a tourist visa. The UCLA freshman was undocumented until last month, when her application for deferred action was accepted. She said she is looking forward to getting a legal part-time job and a driver’s license.
The deferred action plan “has opened a lot of doors that were closed before,” she said.
Currently, there is no federal legislation on the table for comprehensive immigration reform.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3773 or fleal@ocregister.com
