Published: February 25, 2010

Elected and community leaders met on Tuesday 23  in the offices of the Service Employees International Union to announce a massive mobilization to demand the adoption of comprehensive immigration reform and an end to the raids. The march will be held March 21 at 2 pm at the Lincoln Memorial in DC, and expect the participation of about 100,000 people around the country.

"The community is angry and tired of waiting for unfulfilled promises by the administration of President Barack Obama," said Gustavo Torres, president of the Coalition of National Capital Immigrant. "The only way that reflected that anger is coming out en masse to protest for our rights. This is a historic responsibility, "added Torres, who also directs CASA of Maryland. Bus service will be offered to those attending.
 
Representatives from Chicago, Illinois confirmed the arrival of 200 buses.
Walter Tejada, Member of the Board of Arlington and the first Latino immigrant elected in Virginia, stressed that the community can not remain with folded arms. "Take Action!, Do something! It’ s us who now have to stand up for reform, "he said.

According to organizers, the time to push the reform is just because in July congressional officials began to campaign for their elections and do not want to comment on contentious issues.

Torres said the Hispanic community voted for Obama and he promised to pass immigration reform in the first year of his administration. And "All he has done is to deport more people in the administration of former President George W. Bush, "he said.

Margarita Ramon, the group of Tenants and Workers of Culmore, said the community has to show the government that "we are united."

"I demand change. We must show that we are an economically active population, "said Ramon, a native of Mexico.

Carlos Saavedra, national coordinator of the United We Dream, explained the crisis "What happens is that the immigrant boy internalizes his frustration and gradually loses hope," he said Saavedra.

Saavedra expected immigration reform to include the DREAM Act, a law that would legalize undocumented students.  "Many work hard and society should offer them hope," he said Saavedra.