Clergy, immigrant-rights advocates and other residents gathered in downtown Freehold Tuesday to encourage the passage of legislation that could help keep immigrant parents and their citizen children together.
"Families are being torn apart. . . . Children belong to their parents," said Marien Casillas of the immigrant worker group New Labor.
The crowd of about 40 people first gathered in front of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office for a series of speeches and readings. They then proceeded to the Hall of Records plaza for a rally that ended with a candlelight vigil.
The Freehold vigil was one of 10 planned statewide by the New Jersey Advocates for Immigrant and Detainee Rights. The events were co-sponsored by several other religious and advocacy organizations, including Casa Freehold and Pax Christi Monmouth County.
Besides Freehold, vigils were scheduled in Keyport, Highland Park, Morristown, Bridgeton, Dumont, Hightstown, Jersey City, Montclair and Newark.
The purpose of the gatherings was to support federal bill H.R. 182, which was introduced by Rep. Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y.
The bill, known as the Child Citizen Protection Act, would give immigration judges discretion when determining whether the alien parent of a United States citizen should be removed, deported or otherwise excluded from the country.
Four million U.S.-born children live in mixed-status families in which at least one of the parent is undocumented and at risk of being arrested, detained and deported, according to data distributed at the Freehold vigil.
"It (the bill) is another aspect of comprehensive immigration reform. . . . It deals with fundamental issues of humanity," said Shai Goldstein, executive director of the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network.
The rallies turned emotional at times when attendees spoke of losing parents to deportation or of their fears of being deported themselves.
"I'm nervous all the time," Cecilia Bueno, one of the speakers, said after the rally. Bueno, 16, of Lakewood, said she moved to the United States from Mexico about three months ago. Her mother also immigrated from Mexico, while two younger siblings were born in the U.S.
"I think it's important that we make this (passage of H.R. 182) happen," said Bueno, whose Spanish was translated by Casillas.
In Highland Park, 15-year-old Valdio Toar of Woodbridge told of the morning three years ago when he was awakened by a commotion in his home. He thought he was dreaming when an immigration official pointed a gun at him.
"This only happens in the movies," he remembered thinking.
Four months later, his father, Frankie Toar, was deported to Indonesia.
Religious leaders also played a role in the vigils, often leading attendees in prayer.
"We shall make our voices heard for the unwanted among us. . . . We are bringing to the attention of our brothers and sisters -- and our nation -- the plight of the immigrant people," said Pastor Ronald Cioffi of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Keyport.
In Freehold, a lone protester held aloft a sign proclaiming on one side, "Arrest all criminals including illegal aliens," and on the other, "Enforce all laws."
Also observing the rally was Republican Borough Council candidate Ted Miller. He came, he said, not to protest but to listen to the organizers' message.
"They (organizers) have no credibility," said Miller, who called the event a press opportunity.
"It was all a big dog-and-pony show," he said.
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koleary, 
tigerpilot and 3 others are discussing. 
Truth is discussing. 
Lisa, 
double 00, and 
double 00 11:43 am on October 9, 2009 Permalink |
Its amazing, people that enter the countries,of China Iran, North Korea, and proably a lot more countries are put immediatley in jail. This country rewards illegals, by giving them a driver license, social security, health care, social services, and probably more rewards that we know about, and now they are walking in the streets of Freehold demanding this and that. Enforce 287g, and illegal immigration and send these illegals back where they came from, they broke our laws, lets enforce it.
beenaround 6:23 pm on October 9, 2009 Permalink |
Freehold has been designated a sanctuary town and welcomes anybody, including the undocumented workers and their families. Freehold Borough has become a very good place for these immigrants and ensures their stay is a good one. They are here with very strong support and it will not change, Get used to it.
eric foster 12:53 pm on October 10, 2009 Permalink |
If we were in Mexico illegally, we would be rotting in jail. Also, we would have to learn spanish to communicate. Put all illegals in jail and deport them. Then we should deduct what these people are costing us from the foreign aid we give Mexico. I think the problem would be taken care of south of the border when we start charging them for their people…
tigerpilot 2:35 pm on October 10, 2009 Permalink |
We need to chain them up and send them home. They are ILLEGAL but our spineless politicians do nothing.
Let’s hope Christie will have a firm plan to deal with the issue. It’s bigger than the local governments can handle, obviously.
koleary 3:49 pm on October 10, 2009 Permalink |
double 00 said “Its amazing, people that enter the countries,of China Iran, North Korea, and proably a lot more countries are put immediatley in jail.”
Sure, just who we should be looking to for domestic policy advice China, Iran and North Korea.