One of the bills would allow illegal immigrants to legally obtain a driver's license.
State Rep. Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera, far right, who co-sponsored the event, marches with supporters of immigration reform march from the former Federal Building to the steps of City Hall.
SPRINGFIELD – Yvette Martinez talked about how her husband, an immigrant who entered the U.
S. illegally, was stopped for a minor driving infraction while heading to the store.
“Our lives were turned upside down when what we thought was a routine traffic stop turned into a nightmare,” she said. “My husband is facing deportation at any time.”
Martinez is a Springfield native and her husband is from Honduras. Although the couple is married, they had not begun the process to get him proper documentation, rally organizers said.
She was one of more than 100 people, many of them immigrants in the country illegally, who marched down Main Street and stopped at City Hall and the former Federal building to show their support for two bills being considered by the state legislature.
One would give undocumented immigrants an opportunity to obtain a legal driver’s license. The second would separate duties of local and state police from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement so people would feel comfortable speaking to police without concerns of being detained for months and possibly deported, said Alvaro Ramirez, an organizer for Just Communities, through an interpreter.
Ramirez said the drivers license measure would keep communities safer because it would allow immigrants to register and insure their cars legally.
“Most people here are undocumented and this is a coming out of the shadows for them,” Ramirez said.
Just Communities of Western Massachusetts was joined by nine other organizations, including New England International Chaplaincy, Western Mass Jobs with Justice and Hampshire Franklin Central Labor Council.
State Rep. Cheryl Coakely-Rivera, D-Springfield, who also sponsored the rally, said ineffective federal and state immigration laws need to be changed.
But she said the current bills are focusing on those who are living and working in the community now.
“There is a fairness issue for people who are here,” she said.
Coakley-Rivera said the bill that would give people the right to a legal license is key since most drive to work.
The second bill is in its infancy, but is designed so undocumented immigrants would not be afraid to provide information to police or call for help, she said.
During the rally she emphasized the country’s long history of immigration adding that the diversity has enhanced this country.
“I work every day, you work every day....I love this country, you love this country,” she said. “The only difference between you and me is I am a citizen.”
During the rally, Mayra Montiel, of Mexico, talked about how her husband has been detained since he was stopped while bring their children to school.
“We are not criminals. We are not murderers. We are productive people. We are working people,” she said.