Thousands Rally to Urge Congress, Obama Administration to Fix Broken Immigration System

On Sunday, thousands people from across the country attended a march and rally in Washington, D.C., to urge Congress and the White House to push ahead with legislation to fix the nation’s broken immigration system.

Marchers, many of them carrying U.S. flags, gathered on the National Mall to hear faith leaders, union leaders, civil rights leaders and immigration reform advocates speak about the urgent need to move forward with reform for the benefit of immigrants and citizens alike. In a videotaped message, President Obama added his support for “an immigration system that works,” and pledged “to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue.”

Wade Henderson, president of The Leadership Conference, said fixing immigration was essential to addressing challenges such as health care, job creation, workers rights and education. “The principle behind the comprehensive immigration reform movement is the same principle that has guided every civil and human rights movement in our nation’s history – that people who work hard to make our country a better place, and who are willing to play by the rules, deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity and to have an equal chance to share in the American Dream,” he said.