Preparations for annual immigration walk underway
Leah Johnson
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: News
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Jhonatan Ferrer, a sophomore at UM-D is dedicated to this walk and all it represents.
"It's a big issue because it affects immigrants from all over the world," he said.
The upcoming march represents the culmination of four years of hard work by the Latino community in order to press Congress to work toward a comprehensive immigration bill. According to the Association of Latino Leaders, a reformed bill will seek three major goals: the streamlining of the immigration process, the improvement of our border security and the naturalization of undocumented immigrants who have not committed any felonies.
Other than the civil rights movement of the 1970's, the immigration debate is one of the biggest civil rights issues in US history. Millions of people suffer due to the lack of a proper immigration system. The faulty system has forced many to come to the US illegally, and has also allowed employers to hire undocumented immigrants, which has made the number of these rise to 12 million people.
"It's hard to explain to someone who has lived in a free society what oppression is," said Ferrer. "They don't understand the fear of knowing that all they have achieved could be taken from them instantly…one phone call could change everything."
The poor system has also violated major human rights as employers seek to take advantage of these individuals. Also, the demand for cheap labor in the US has pulled down minimum wages of workers in the US.
"This walk is important because it will prove that immigrants have a voice," said Ferrer.
Ferrer readily admitted that he has been advocating this issue for a while and believes that this walk will be as successful as the other ones.
"It's going to be held in Chicago, LA, DC, NYC and other places all on the same day," Ferrer said, excited.
Ferrer was born in Mexico and has been a permanent resident of the US for nine years. He's seen many of his friends stand by the issue of immigration that were later deported because of not having a green card.
"They fight so hard to get an education and it's unfair that not having a six digit number stops them dead in their tracks," he said.
Ferrer has also seen the struggles of his parents, who are aware firsthand of how difficult life can be for immigrants.
"My parents have their scars from the past, but I still want to make a change," Ferrer said.
Ferrer's interest in the immigration issue began while sitting in his car and listening to a Latino Radio station that was discussing that topic. During the radio program, Ferrer looked out his car window and saw a Mexican person working.
"Immediately, this person reminded me of my dad and I decided then that we deserve better," he said.
Ferrer followed up his decision by attending the advertised meeting of Latinos Unidos and has now been a member for a month.
"Now that I'm a member and the immigration walk is coming up, I only get about four hours of sleep," he said. "But I don't mind, I enjoy being busy."
Ferrer tirelessly promotes the walk by talking to students, printing and hanging flyers and even trying to get the faculty and staff to come support the event.
"I'm not superman, I just have a lot of caffeine," he said, smiling, "and I'm normally quiet, but when I want a change, I speak out."
Ferrer stated that immigration centers can be known as the modern version of concentration camps because they "dehumanize the immigration process." This is why Ferrer believes that these walks can and will make a difference and encourages students to support the cause.
"The walks portray an image that immigration is a problem and that students care about it too".
This year, the walk begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m., starting at Patton Park and ending at Clark Park.
Ferrer is expecting around 30 to 40 thousand people at this event.
"These people know that freedom isn't free and by supporting the event we can show that humanity isn't lost."
For more information on this event or about Latinos Unidos visit www.luum.org or contact Ferrer at jsferrer@umd.umich.edu.
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