One day after the Father’s Day celebration, a group of five pro-immigrant activists traveled from Los Angeles to Washington DC on Monday to participate in the nationwide Freedom Fast.
Members of the Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights (CHIRLA) said they will be on a five-day hunger strike very close to the Capitol and the Supreme Court; the goal is to make a clear and remarkable reminder of President Joe Biden.
They are part of a national movement where various organizations will be arriving for a period of at least three weeks. The purpose will be to encourage Congress to use the jobs and infrastructure package to codify a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have kept the economy functioning as essential workers during the pandemic.
Participants who left Los Angeles included a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, domestic workers, long-time residents as well as parents and children.
Josefina, one of the participants who traveled with the group, said at a press conference before leaving that she is willing to sacrifice herself and show politicians that it is time for comprehensive immigration reform.
“We call on the president because 100 days have passed and nothing has happened. Now we are over another 100 days and we hope that we are included so that there is an immigration reform ”, said Josefina, who abstained from providing her last name.
“I am going to join together with my colleagues …, to show the president and legislators that it is time for reform for the 11 million immigrants in this country.”
Fátima Flores Laguna, political director at CHIRLA, said that this past weekend thousands of people around the country gathered to celebrate Father’s Day. But the reality is that there are many families impacted by America’s incarceration and deportation system.
“Our immigrant community is not celebrating as it would like and that is why we are here, to recognize the families who have been incarcerated, separated and deported,” said Laguna.
Among the community members who fired the activists was Jair Solís, a father of a family arrested in February 2019 on his way to work. The immigrant spent a month in the Adelanto detention center, separated from his family.
“Thanks to CHIRLA, I’m here and I was able to celebrate Father’s Day with my children,” said Solís. “I am sorry for those who were unable to celebrate Father’s Day with their families due to being deported. Please we need immigration reform Now! “
Currently President Biden and Congress are negotiating what will be included in the jobs and infrastructure package of the President’s “Build Back Better” plan.
Activists believe this is a good time to include immigration reform through the budget reconciliation process.
They expressed that they will ask legislators to pass immigration reform by whatever means available, whether through reconciliation, obstructionist reform or adjustment of existing law.
People can follow the activists’ fast with the hashtag #weareessential #wearehome
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