Immigrant Advocates Press Mass. Lawmakers For Action
BOSTON (AP) — More than 500 immigrants and their supporters are preparing to gather at the Massachusetts State House to press lawmakers to support issues that are important to foreign-born residents.
Participants are also expected to ask lawmakers to reject anti-immigration bills and amendments they say would divide communities, cause immigrants to mistrust police officers and harm Massachusetts' economic recovery.
Organizers say people scheduled to speak include consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren and her rival for the Democratic party nomination for U.S. Senate, Marisa DeFranco. Republican Sen. Scott Brown was invited.
The "Immigrants' Day" is scheduled for Monday at the Gardner Auditorium.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition says the largest immigrant advocacy day of the year helps engage voters.
Massachusetts is home to 320,000 foreigners holding so-called green cards that are given to legal permanent residents.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
