People gathered in front of the Lloyd George Federal Building Thursday night with candles and signs to kick off a national campaign to reform the U.S. immigration system.
The kickoff began Thursday morning with more than 100 people holding signs in front of the federal building, said Michael Flores, state director of Reform Immigration for America.
Throughout the day, residents and business owners displayed signs and made phone calls to elected officials, encouraging them to support the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act. The act would place stricter sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants and encourage illegal immigrants to register for citizenship.
Flores said similar events were held in Reno and Carson City to launch the campaign for the legislation.
“This is just the beginning,” Flores said.
Melissa Munzo said she attended the rally to show her support for the bill and to encourage immigrants to become legal citizens.
Munzo, a native of Mexico, became a citizen on Jan. 6, 1982.
“I still remember that day,” she said. “This is a great country, and if I could be born again, I’d like to be born American.”
Members of the organization spoke to Rep. Dina Titus via conference call about the tremendous effect the bill could have on the economy.
Flores said if all illegal immigrants were to become citizens, the federal government would gain $1.5 trillion in taxes over the next decade.
The act also encourages families to register with the federal government so they are not separated.
Kenia Pedroza, a 17-year-old Rancho High School student, said she knows what it’s like to be separated from a loved one because of the immigration system. She said her godmother’s husband was deported and her godmother had to leave the country, too.
“She was like a mother to me because my mom died when I was 2,” Pedroza said. “Separation of family affects everyone.”
The campaign also supports a revival of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — also known as the DREAM Act — which would give thousands of young adults the opportunity to attend U.S. universities and have permanent residency as long as they have been in the country five years before the bill’s authorization.
The Rev. John McShane of Holy Child Catholic Church in Caliente prayed for the U.S. to make changes to the immigration system so children are able to receive a quality education.
Luis Estinoza, 11, said the DREAM Act is important to all immigrant children. Clutching a “Stop the suffering” sign to his chest, he said immigrant students should keep fighting until the act is passed.
As the rally came to a close, participants chanted “si se puede,” which means “yes, we can,” and departed to the song “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson.