On Saturday, October 5th, more than 80 mobilization efforts are planned to take place across the country to celebrate the National Day of Dignity and Respect. These efforts will include marches, rallies, prayer vigils, car caravans and group pilgrimages aimed to pressure lawmakers to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrant rights activists will join in solidarity to demand that Congress pass humane legislation.
The demand for reform is not going to go away, and it is not going to be solved by increased enforcement, or border control. Deportations and detentions are not long-term solutions; in fact, they are not solutions at all. These tactics have inflicted maltreatment towards immigrants for far too long and have done nothing to fix the issue at its root.
Our country has historically embraced immigrants who came here in search of a better life, and we must preserve this tradition by granting the 11 million a way to become U.S. citizens. A path to citizenship is the only approach that offers immigrants full inclusion and integration into the greater society.
As members of Congress delay fair immigration reform, tremendous human costs result from their inaction. Families are torn apart, children are separated from their parents and lives are thrown off track. The demonstrations on October 5th will emphasize the injustices faced by immigrants and their families, while pressing legislators to give them the respect that they deserve.
No one benefits from our current immigration policy. The need for immigration reform must therefore transcend the complex party politics of Washington. Family unity should exceed party loyalty as members on both sides of the aisle need to come together to do what is right not only for immigrants, but also for our country.
Join the fight for reform! Come out on October 5th to an event near you.