In the long-running and contentious political debate surrounding immigration reform, one of the most widely discussed issues has been how to resolve the immigration status of those brought to the United States as children. While pundits often argue that passing comprehensive immigration reform will reward law breakers, few seriously contend children should be punished because their parents or guardians may have violated immigration law in bringing them to the United States illegally or overstaying their visas. It is hard to insist that young people who have grown up almost exclusively in the United States should abandon their homes, families, jobs--and the only lives they’ve known--in order to come into compliance with immigration law.
Read moreNYC Immigration Rally
Thousands rallied for immigration reform this past Saturday, October 5, 2013, in Brooklyn. This rally (one of many across the nation) formed at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and ended in a march over the Brooklyn Bridge. Holding such signs as "El Momento Es Ahora," "No More Death at the Border," and "I heart Immigration Reform," protestors listened to such speakers as Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio. Speaking of the undocumented in the US, he said, "They deserve a chance too. Eleven million people who make this country work." He added, "We are the city of immigrants." Attorney Elizabeth Brettschneider and I were on hand to capture a few shots from the rally and march.
