Immigrant Activist Leaders

 When Maria ElenaHernandez left Honduras for California, she didn’t speak English,didn’t have work papers, and her fear of being caught by Immigrationtied her stomach in knots.

Eight months later, she was marching up the steps of the Capitol toask some of the state’s top elected officials for better workingconditions.

Energized by the recent marches for immigration reform and supportedby growing participation in a network of civic organizations,immigrants are increasingly emerging as actors in America’s civic andpolitical life.

“It makes me feel like this is my country, like I don’t have to giveway to anyone else,” said Alex Palencia, a Guatemalan day laborer whowas waiting for work along a windy freeway in San Francisco.

That spirit of activism is behind the national immigration marchesthis week, with people expected to take the streets in San Francisco,Chicago, Phoenix, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and other cities. Click here.

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