NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of thousands of immigrants are making their way across the country to the nation’s capital to rally Sunday on immigration reform.
Organizers hope to see as many as 100,000 people. Mostly Hispanic, they include day laborers walking from Hempstead, N.Y., and Californians who sold tamales and fruit to pay for their trip. At least 700 buses are expected from 28 states.
They will likely have to share attention on the same day as a possible vote in Congress on health care reform.
That’s one of the issues that has sidelined President Obama’s campaign promise of reform and possible legalization for the estimated 12 million people in the U.S. illegally.
Reform advocates met with Obama last week. He also met with lawmakers who are drafting legislation. It’s not clear if Congress will get him a bill this year.
