Thousands marching for immigration reform

Having emigrated from Mexico, Belen Reyes wants her U.S.-born daughter to be aware of the struggles that immigrants, especially those in the country illegally, face when they come to America.

As part of her education, the Calhoun, Ga., resident is taking her daughter to a Sunday march for immigration reform in Washington, D.C. Organizers expect 100,000 participants from across the nation.

"Since I heard about the march, I immediately wanted to go because it's something that interests me personally and because I want my daughter to go with me and be more conscientious that in order to get something we have to fight for it," said Ms. Reyes, who arrived in Florida in 1995 and moved to Calhoun 10 years ago.

The Reform Immigration for America Campaign, a coalition of organizations and groups nationwide that advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, is organizing the march to send a message to legislators, said Shuya Ohno, spokesman for the campaign, which is based in Washington.

"Over a year has gone by with no legislative movement, so the march is now bringing the people to the politicians, and it seems to be working," he said. "It definitely already has had significant effects. It's starting to feel (like) a game-changer."

He noted that President Barack Obama has made several public statements and met with key legislators, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to move the legislation forward.

Closer to home, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is coordinating 10 buses to carry more than 500 people leaving from Nashville, Memphis and Shelbyville, among other cities, said Elias Feghali, spokesman for the state organization.

"There's a lot of energy," he said. "There's a mix of desperation, frustration with what people see as broken promises and hope that, if they can come to the center of power in D.C. and mobilize and voice their concerns, there's a chance we can move on this."

In Dalton, Ga., the Coalition of Latino Leaders and the Latin-American Community Alliance are gathering participants to drive to Atlanta today, where they will join more than 1,200 people and 20 buses.

Although Angel Silva is a U.S.-born citizen, he said he felt the need to participate in the march to show his support to the 11 million illegal immigrants estimated to live in this country.

"I think it's important to represent their rights and give them back their dignity, especially to the Latinos and especially Mexicans, which is the first group people think of when they think of undocumented (immigrants)," said Mr. Silva, who moved to Dalton from California nine years ago.