More than 200 march for DREAM Act

Benjamin Ortiz takes part in the A Day Without Immigrants march to protest federal government's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform. It was held on Monday, July 4, 2011. OMAR PEREZ/operez@express-news.net less Benjamin Ortiz takes part in the A Day Without Immigrants march to protest federal government's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform. It was held on Monday, July 4, 2011. OMAR ... more Photo: OMAR PEREZ, OMAR PEREZ/operez@express-news.net Photo: OMAR PEREZ, OMAR PEREZ/operez@express-news.net Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close More than 200 march for DREAM Act 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

While many San Antonians were celebrating independence Monday, more than 200 others braved almost 100-degree heat to show their opposition to state-led anti-immigrant legislation and federal deportation policies that have torn families apart.

Shouting slogans such as “We are Americans” and “We love America,” marchers expressed support for the DREAM Act, which would give citizenship to those who are in college or the military after having been brought to the United States illegally as children.

Representing such groups as the League of Latin American Citizens, the Brown Berets of Texas and the Neighborhood First Alliance, the marchers waved U.S. flags and carried an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Placards called for President Barack Obama to sign an executive order that would enact comprehensive immigration reform. The marchers also pledged to mobilize for next year's elections.

“What we're asking for is what America has done historically: to accept immigrants and what they do for us,” said state Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-San Antonio, who is running for Congress in a newly redrawn district. “As a nation, we have to be honest about the role they play in our country. We need to integrate folks who are here into our society.”

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, who's also running in the new district, addressed the marchers in support of the DREAM Act.

Luis Figueroa with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund noted that it was involved in “fighting off racism” during the recent state legislative session that included 85 immigration-related bills.

Called “A Day Without Immigrants March,” the 2.4-mile trek from the Guadalupe Theater to Elmendorf Park was originally organized to protest Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 9, both of which failed in a special session. Both would have required local police to act as federal immigration agents.

Events have been staged throughout the country where similar legislation has been filed. In Georgia, where a bill passed that criminalizes undocumented migrants, Hispanic businesses closed Friday in solidarity against it.

While most of the local marchers were U.S. citizens, at least a few were undocumented but participated anyway to plead for reform. One woman said she has been unable to become a citizen although she is married to one and is the mother of another. The Fourth of July marked her 21st year in the United States, she said.

“We have to deal with it,” said Ramon Vasquez of the American Indians in Texas. “States are passing racist laws. This movement is getting more and more organized.”

Jaime Martinez, head of the César E. Chávez Legacy and Education Foundation, said a national march is planned for Sept. 15 in Washington, D.C.

As originally published, this story contained an error.