Report from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Story and Photo by Laura Brache | News & Observer | FEB. 14, 2022
Representatives from a coalition of North Carolina immigrant rights and social justice groups spent Valentine’s Day in Washington, D.C., demanding immediate immigration reform.
The national day of action is called “A Day Without Immigrants.” It encourages immigrants to not work or spend money for one day to raise awareness about their importance in the American economy and society, despite not having a clear pathway to citizenship.
Locally, other members of El Colectivo NC and their allies gathered for a peaceful protest in front of the Terry Sanford Federal Building in downtown Raleigh, where U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ Raleigh office is located.
“I’ve given so many speeches here in the past several years,” said María López González, community engagement and policy advocacy manager for El Pueblo. “At times screaming, crying, begging for something, right? For Thom Tilllis to listen to us. To do his job and take care of the people that live here.”
López González was 1 1/2 years old when she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. She a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Also known by the acronym DACA, it is a type of humanitarian status granted to immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children that allows them to work and live in the U.S. for two years at a time without deportation.
While against citizenship for all immigrants who have entered the country illegally, Tillis has supported finding a means for citizenship for DACA recipients. None has been successful so far.
Most recently, Tillis joined forces with Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, last July asking Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, to consider a targeted bill to protect those with DACA.
However, a few days later, on July 16, a federal judge in Texas ruled that DACA is illegal, blocking new applicants while allowing current recipients to keep their status while the case is appealed.
The News & Observer contacted Tillis’ office for comment on “A Day Without Immigrants” and his latest efforts on immigration reform, but hasn’t received a response yet.
It wasn’t just immigrants with DACA that El Centro Hispano, El Pueblo, the Poor People’s Campaign and the Carolina Peace Center protested for.
“Until we talk about the real stuff that is causing tremendous harm in countries like in Central America, South America, in the Middle East and Africa, we really can’t change anything,” said Faisal Khan, a local human and civil rights activist and community organizer.
“Migrants and refugees are seeking protection, safety and running from prosecutions and oppressive policies — from harm,” he said.
Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, president and CEO of Durham-based El Centro Hispano, talked about the “more than 11 million undocumented people” who have “contributed to the growth and development of the United States,” but whose livelihood here is on the line because of the lack of solutions from Congress and the government.
“(For 33 years) we have advocated for comprehensive immigration reform that recognizes the importance of economic, social and cultural contributions of the undocumented immigrant population,” Rocha-Goldberg said. “(Immigration reform) that offers them the opportunity to come out of the shadows and live without fear.”
Other speakers at the demonstration were Ana Blackburn of the Poor People’s Campaign of North Carolina, Pastor Edgar Vergara of the Millian Iglesia Methodist Unida, and state Rep. Caleb Rudow (NC-114) of Asheville.
Last year, The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reported that undocumented immigrants collectively pay an estimated $11.64 billion in taxes a year.
