Under signs reading “No human being is illegal” and “If we go, we’re taking the tacos with us,” RedEye asked a few marchers why the immigration issue is important to them and what kind of reform they’re looking for.
Translated from Spanish: “I came [to the U.S. from Mexico] about seven years ago without papers, for the same reason everyone does — for a better life. I’m still undocumented, but my wife is a legal resident, and my daughter is a citizen. We don’t want there to be raids; we don’t want to live life afraid [of being separated].”
— Jose Garcia, 22, of Ukrainian Village, who Works as a food runner in a restaurant. He’s pictured with his wife, Olga Garcia, 21, and their daughter, Dalyanara, 2.
“Legal immigration is impossible. You have to be a rocket scientist or be a person who is oppressed to get through the system. I came [from Lithuania] on a student visa, and when it expired I wanted to stay, but there was no way. So I chose to overstay my visa and continue studying. They have to come up with some sensible way to deal with the problem.”
— John Vaiciulis, 32, of Joliet, who studies nursing at Joliet Junior College. He’s pictured with his wife, Olga Vaiciulis, 22, an undocumented immigrant from Russia.
“I’m here to represent the Asian-American community and encourage them to come out and get involved. We need to organize ourselves and assert our presence. For many Asian communities, the problem is the stigma of being immigrants: that we’re not quite worth as much, that we’re third-class citizens.”
— Melissa Woo, 22, of Edgebrook
Translated from Spanish: “There needs to be a just law for the undocumented. Even a permit to work temporarily would be good. The way things are now makes the situation more difficult. … I want to be legal, but it’s too expensive to get papers. There should be a fee, but it shouldn’t be so exaggerated.”
— Gustavo Calixto, 27, of Chicago Heights, who Works in construction
“I came [to the U.S.] from Mexico when I was 2 years old, and I’m still waiting for my paperwork. … I was hoping I’d be legal by the time I graduated high school, but the system is just too slow. I don’t have a Social Security number, so I can’t get student loans, no scholarships, no financial aid. I want to go to U. of I. [University of Illinois], but I can’t afford it.”
— Julio Lopez, 18, who studies business administration at Morton College in Cicero
