On May Day, a traditional day of celebrating workers, some 1500 immigrants and supporters marched down Lake Street to a rally in Powderhorn Park, carrying banners and flags and chanting in support of workers rights and immigration reform. Coordinated with similar demonstrations nationwide, the message was loud and clear: end random deportations and find a way to legalize 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

While the numbers were down from last year, the spirit was not. The march came amidst recent immigration raids around the country, including here locally in Worthington and Willmar. These raids have left families afraid to send their children to school or even to leave home for work, for fear they would not return. Many of the marchers carried signs saying, “They can’t deport us all.”

The march hoped to bring attention to the plight of undocumented workers and their children who can’t attend college because of residency restrictions. Among the marchers were some of the over 100 high school and college students who left their classes early to attend an afternoon rally at the State Capitol.

Marinda Rodriguez said she walked out of Emerson High because “deportation is wrong and leaves children without families.” Christian Sanchez(right), from Washburn, said he was at the march because “it is his whole future.” Eli hoisted a sign for the Dream Act, a bill now pending in the Minnesota legislature that would allow immigrant children to attend college at the same tuition rate as citizens. He lives here, attended school here and wishes he could have the opportunity to go to college but can’t afford the expensive non-resident rates.

Many families who marched were concerned about families being torn apart. Victor Jimena(right), holding his daughter, said “deportations are not the right way.” We are not criminals, we are not terrorists. We work and help support Americans. Another mom from Ecuador, marching with her two kids, said “No more separations.” She says we need legislation to help families stay together.

Meanwhile, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has stepped up its detention and removal of undocumented immigrants as Congress and the administration haggle over what to do with the estimated 12 million living here. Polls show that a majority of the American public has reached a consensus on the issue and feel they should be given a chance at residency.

A comprehensive immigration reform bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Congressmen Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) in March. This bill (the STRIVE Act) is bipartisan and contains many solutions to the present system that fosters many of the ills behind these immigrant marches. The White House says it wants reform but is not clear about what that means. The Senate is yet to act.

Immigration advocates, like AFFIRM*, believe comprehensive immigration reform is the solution to fixing our broken immigration system, and now is the time to act. The STRIVE Act is the best proposal on the table. Call your Congressperson and tell them that “we need workable comprehensive immigration reform now.”

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Rose Grengshas been a SJA parishioner since 1982. She is an immigration attorney and passionate about the subject. She is a member of the choir and active in the Peace Movement. She and her husband, Paul, routinely attend the 11:00 Mass. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of three. She is looking forward to retirement, travel and enjoys music, especially singer, songwriter, Greg Brown.

* AFFIRM is an alliance of immigrant groups, religious and labor organizations, lawyers and legal services, advocacy organizations, and businesses working together to advocate for fair immigration legislation and policy at the local, state, and federal level that respects and protects immigrants.