Latino immigrants in New York hold "Viacrucis" memorial vigil
Title
Latino immigrants in New York hold "Viacrucis" memorial vigil
Vtmbh article article file
v15n3.doc
Vtmbh article article order
3
Vtmbh article author
Vtmbh article blurb
The Way of the Cross (Viacrucis) began in front of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) building, the cross symbolizing policys that oppresses immigrant workers and cause so much of their suffering.
Vtmbh article body
More than 350 undocumented immigrants and hundreds of children gathered for a Way of the Cross vigil (Viacrucis) in memory of undocumented immigrants who died in the struggle to survive with greater dignity, far away from their home and families.
The Viacrucis began in front of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) building, the cross symbolizing policys that oppresses immigrant workers and cause so much of their suffering.
They asked God to enlighten those in power in the United States and in their respective countries, to establish international exchange agreements and laws that consider immigrants lives, values, and culture instead of mere economic interests. They asked God to help U.S. lawmakers reconsider their positions and reexamine immigration laws that leave immigrants without legal options, vulnerable to oppression and exploitation by those who take full advantage of their lack of legal status.
They reaffirmed their fight for the right to human mobility, asserting that everyone has the right to work in the country that allows them to care for their families. They asked God to make them stronger as people and as organizations, so that they will not stumble in this fight. They asked to know how to join together, organize and educate themselves to move forward and attain what they hoped for when they left their home countries. They asked for better working conditions and better living conditions, to live with greater dignity and prepare for a better future for their children and their race, here and in their country of origin.
And in light of the new Supreme Court decision to annul undocumented immigrants protections and labor rights, they hoped that unions appeal the ruling. We need to reinforce our struggle for permanent residence, it seems to be the only thing that assures we will be treated a little better, they said.
We are filled with hope that the National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty is meeting with U.S. senators and representatives to find one senator and one representative who will sponsor amnesty legislation.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) will no longer be promoting proposal HR 500 (the U.S. Employee, Family Unity, and Legalization Act)
The coalition's proposal is called Freedom Act. This proposal suggests giving temporary three-year legal status to four types of immigrants: those who are already in the United States, the family members of those already in the United States, those who have already filed papers and are waiting for the INS to process them, and those who want to work in the United States have an employer willing to send a letter on their behalf. Those who qualify would go to the United States consulate to solicit their temporary residential visa, with the right to choose permanent residence after the visa expires.
The government would give these immigrants a Social Security number and investigate to ensure that they are working and paying their taxes. The immigrants, including who were requested by a specific employer, would be able to work for any employer. As soon as the person completes his or her third year, he or she can begin the process of requesting permanent residency.
The Asociación Tepeyac reminded everyone not to miss the demonstration for amnesty in Washington, D.C. on May 1. They suggested those who remain in New York, participate in the May 1 march that will go from the INS building to Battery Park.
The Viacrucis began in front of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) building, the cross symbolizing policys that oppresses immigrant workers and cause so much of their suffering.
They asked God to enlighten those in power in the United States and in their respective countries, to establish international exchange agreements and laws that consider immigrants lives, values, and culture instead of mere economic interests. They asked God to help U.S. lawmakers reconsider their positions and reexamine immigration laws that leave immigrants without legal options, vulnerable to oppression and exploitation by those who take full advantage of their lack of legal status.
They reaffirmed their fight for the right to human mobility, asserting that everyone has the right to work in the country that allows them to care for their families. They asked God to make them stronger as people and as organizations, so that they will not stumble in this fight. They asked to know how to join together, organize and educate themselves to move forward and attain what they hoped for when they left their home countries. They asked for better working conditions and better living conditions, to live with greater dignity and prepare for a better future for their children and their race, here and in their country of origin.
And in light of the new Supreme Court decision to annul undocumented immigrants protections and labor rights, they hoped that unions appeal the ruling. We need to reinforce our struggle for permanent residence, it seems to be the only thing that assures we will be treated a little better, they said.
We are filled with hope that the National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty is meeting with U.S. senators and representatives to find one senator and one representative who will sponsor amnesty legislation.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) will no longer be promoting proposal HR 500 (the U.S. Employee, Family Unity, and Legalization Act)
The coalition's proposal is called Freedom Act. This proposal suggests giving temporary three-year legal status to four types of immigrants: those who are already in the United States, the family members of those already in the United States, those who have already filed papers and are waiting for the INS to process them, and those who want to work in the United States have an employer willing to send a letter on their behalf. Those who qualify would go to the United States consulate to solicit their temporary residential visa, with the right to choose permanent residence after the visa expires.
The government would give these immigrants a Social Security number and investigate to ensure that they are working and paying their taxes. The immigrants, including who were requested by a specific employer, would be able to work for any employer. As soon as the person completes his or her third year, he or she can begin the process of requesting permanent residency.
The Asociación Tepeyac reminded everyone not to miss the demonstration for amnesty in Washington, D.C. on May 1. They suggested those who remain in New York, participate in the May 1 march that will go from the INS building to Battery Park.
Vtmbh article date
2002-04-10
Vtmbh article edition
15
Vtmbh article hit count
73
Vtmbh article keywords
undocumented, immigrants, Asociación Tepeyac
Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
Spanish
Vtmbh article publication
El Sol De Mexico
Vtmbh article section
news
Vtmbh article thumb
Vtmbh article title
Latino immigrants in New York hold "Viacrucis" memorial vigil
Vtmbh article translator
Erica Pearson
Source
born-digital
Media Type
article
Original Name
The Way of the Cross (Viacrucis) began in front of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Created by Author
yes
Described by Author
no
Date Entered
2002-04-10
Collection
Citation
“Latino immigrants in New York hold "Viacrucis" memorial vigil,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1541/.