Immigrants Take to US Streets in Show of Strength

US Congress is divided about how to control illegal immigration. In 2005, the US House of Representatives approved legislation to increase border security, making illegal immigration a felony along with providing assistance to such immigrants. The US Senate bill would give some illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. The US has about 11 million illegal immigrants. As long as Congress remains stalled on the issue, advocates for immigration continue to protest the House version. In a show of solidarity, hundreds of thousands immigrants and their supporters refused to go to work, school or shop Monday, in what was described by some as an attempt to “shut down the country.” Immigrants already in the US, many Hispanic, decided to give the policymakers a taste of what the bill proposes – “a day without immigrants.” The protests in dozens of cities disrupted some industries, particularly those involving meat-packing, produce, restaurants and construction. The economic impact of the boycott is unknown, but the immigrants have made the issue a national priority and insist that their voices be heard. – YaleGlobal