Women Risk Arrest for Immigration Reform

By Laura Vasquez, Senior Immigration Legislative Analyst, NCLR

Today I was fortunate to witness a courageous group of women get arrested as an act of civil disobedience at the U.S. Capitol calling on lawmakers to pass immigration reform that treats women and families fairly.

It was incredible to see this diverse group of women from across the country representing families and communities who demand that the House pass immigration reform.  They were mothers, wives, and daughters who shared how the broken immigration system impacts their lives and why it’s urgent that the House act.

The group included U.S. citizens, DREAMers, and undocumented women who chanted, sang, and told their stories before they were arrested by the Capitol Police.  It was powerful to see women from the LGBT community, the faith community, labor, and from the NCLR familia, including Affiliates like CASA de Maryland, Latin American Coalition, Make the Road New York, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, and allies like Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, and ACTION Institute NC.

Josie Molina, a twelve year old citizen from Tennessee told the crowd about the impact of the broken immigration system on her family as her father is facing deportation and Leisha Carrasquillo a U.S. citizen from North Carolina told of the impact of her husband’s detention.  Their stories demonstrate why it is critical that the House act now to keep families together and allow for a vote on immigration reform.  The event led by the We Belong Together campaign was successful in showing the faces of immigration reform and reminding members of congress that the face of immigration reform is women and children.  It is time for congress to deliver a solution that will recognize the contributions of women who day in and day out play a critical role in their families and communities.