Families from as far as Arizona or Illinois, many whom are undocumented immigrants in deportation proceedings, gathered in Freedom Plaza near the Capitol to push Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the fall recess. “Most people here are either facing or threatened with deportation,” says B. Loewe, a spokeman for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). People from around the country come to show support, including undocumented day laborers from Chicago, and immigrants who were arrested and detained following raids authorized by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. According to Loewe, about 1,100 people are deported from the U.S. every day. Today’s rally, in the form of an art exhibition, aims to expedite Congress’ decision on immigration before the August recess. Israel Lopez, 43, explained in Spanish that he drove from Chicago with four people to Freedom Plaza to support immigration reform for younger undocumented Latinos.
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