Labor Day Reminder: We Need Reform Now

Teresa Puente writes for Chicago Now:

On this Labor Day, think about who carved up the beef you are grilling or who picked the fresh vegetables you are tossing in your salad.

It’s likely that work was done by people who work in the shadows – undocumented workers.

Labor Day also is also a day to remind our political leaders that we need comprehensive immigration reform. Those who have contributed to this country should be given a chance to become legal permanent residents.

Supporters of immigrant rights are rallying Monday in Chicago to send this message.

At 11 a.m. Monday they will start marching from Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., to the Federal Plaza downtown.

This march also is indicative of a growing frustration in the Latino community and some say the Obama Administration is not moving fast enough to pass immigration reform.

“Obama’s declaration that there won’t be any immigration reform this year has really pissed a lot of people off,” said community activist Jorge Mujica.

He also criticized the Obama administration for continuing to enforce many of the immigration policies from the Bush administration. And in fact the number of deportations by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased, according to recent data. Click here for the rest of the column.

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