New Yorkers embark on 5-day trip to remind Obama of his promise on reform.
 

Dismay and disappointment.

Those words accurately describe the mood among immigrants and their supporters. After President Obama's sustained failure to deliver on his promise to reform our cruel and dysfunctional immigration system, it could not be otherwise.

That's why Monday - Presidents' Day - 12 concerned New Yorkers will begin a five-day road trip across the state hoping to remind Obama of his promise and to demand lawmakers act immediately on immigration reform.

"We want to send a message to our government that we cannot wait any longer," said Osmán Canales, 21, of Long Island, a green card holder who will be making the trip. "There is too much suffering, too many families torn apart, too many kids who can't get an education."

Canales, who left his native El Salvador in 1999, is a psychology major, but says his goal is to become a lawyer "to help our community."

"I have the opportunity to go to college, and I want other students to have the same right," he said with passion.

The caravan, dubbed the "Road Trip for Our Future," will make stops at 10 cities and towns. It is coordinated by the statewide New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and the national Reform Immigration for America campaign, together with local groups along the route.

"President Obama has committed to passing immigration reform, and Sen. [Chuck] Schumer is leading the effort in Congress. But with the administration inexplicably ramping up enforcement of a system that they acknowledge is broken, and Congress faltering on so many issues of critical importance, we can't afford to get mired in Washington gridlock," said Chung-Wha Hong, NYIC's executive director.

"In the course of this five-day trip, nearly 5,000 people will be deported and more than 5,000 will be detained, and we'll be no closer to a workable, common-sense immigration system that serves the national interest," Hong said.

Deportations rose nearly 50% between 2003 and 2008, and have risen 18% during the first year of the Obama administration, according to Hong's group.

The caravan participants are taking to the road to bring their message to their elected representatives on their home turf, Hong said.

The road trip steps off in New York City and will make stops in upstate Carmel, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Sodus, Pittsford, Greece, Batavia, Buffalo and Ithaca before ending in Brooklyn.

The destinations are where immigrants have suffered repression and persecution, and the NYIC cites a few examples:



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...#ixzz0fXtIHWJm

Re: New Yorkers embark on 5-day trip to remind Obama of his promise on reform.
 

Great to see there are still some people out there with a heart. God bless them for their efforts.