Immigrants march 40 miles for immigration reform in the Bay Area!
The 40-mile march that started on Saturday with the goal of reaching the federal building in San Francisco concluded on Tuesday.
This was done to request that Congress approve the “registry law” that would provide immigration relief to millions of undocumented individuals.
“I’ve had blisters since yesterday,” said Cruz. With her tired and sore feet, she explained why she decided to join one of the 40-mile marches for three consecutive days, which were simultaneously organized from Petaluma and San José to San Francisco to call for immigration relief for the undocumented.
“I’ve been here for 20 years and it’s been very difficult for me,” said Cruz.
She and several participants expressed their anxiety due to the lack of an immigration solution.
“I have my 83-year-old mother, and it’s very difficult for me every day, thinking if I’m going to see my mom again,” said Cruz.
“Because there have been many since I immigrated in 2005, and the truth is that I’ve wanted to work in other things, and because of this, I haven’t been able to do it, I feel helpless,” said Cinthya Montenegro from Mujeres Unidas y Activas.
In Cruz’s case, she is concerned about remaining in limbo with her son who has autism.
“I’m tired of hiding, I’m tired of not having papers, I’m afraid of going out on the street with my son and not being respected,” said Cruz.
They call them the 40-mile marches because they say it has been nearly 40 years without comprehensive immigration relief. That’s why the hope now rests with the registry law.
“The registration process comes from an old immigration law that allowed undocumented immigrants to apply for permanent residency as long as they were within the country from a certain year,” said Renee Saucedo.
So, they advocate for the federal bill that would update that date, allowing more than 8 million undocumented individuals to apply for permanent residency, but exactly who?
“Stating that if an undocumented person has lived within the country for at least seven years and has good moral character, meaning they don’t have a felony on their record, then they can apply for residency,” said Saucedo.
That is the heart of the current struggle.
“It’s time, it’s been more than 40 years since something was done for the immigrant community, and with all the fatigue and blistered feet, I have the strength to say yes, it can be done,” said Socorro Diaz, who marched for three days.
