Immigration Forum for CSULB Students

Enrique Morones discussing the need to reduce deaths on the border.

Crosses adorned the Karl Anatol Center in honor of unidentified immigrants who have died crossing the border, at Wednesday’s Marcha Migrante forum and candlelight vigil.

Marcha Migrante volunteers, faculty, staff and students gathered to address immigration reform, and to provide a place where students could express their own experiences in being undocumented immigrants.

While this forum was sponsored by various on-campus organizations, including the Chicano/Latino studies department, Border Angels was the primary host of the event. This non-profit organization conducts the Marcha Migrante event annually in an effort to publicize the abundance of deaths on the U.S.-Mexico border.

BA was founded by Enrique Morones and has diligently worked on providing immigrants with the tools needed to make their journey less treacherous than necessary. For example, volunteers place warm clothing, food and water in various locations near the border during winter months.

CSULB's Latino students flocked to this event seeking more information about immigration in California and in essence, educating themselves on issues that pertain to their culture.

"This is something in my culture I should be aware of," said Pedro Briseno, Chicano/Latino Studies major. "This links me to my ancestry. I feel obligated to be here."

While the event consisted of various speakers and performers, in addition to a candle light vigil in honor of immigration-related deaths, three individuals stood out amongst the rest. Fernando Romero, Carlos Leon, and Giovanni Rodriguez are AB 540 students, as well as F.U.E.L. members, who have gone against all odds. These individuals shared their personal accounts of being undocumented, while remaining optimistic about their futures.

Carlos Leon a CSULB graduate and former AB 540 student recalls working 20-40 hours per week, while carrying a full-time student's workload.

"My father died during finals week, but I had to be strong and attend school and work," said Leon.

The hardships depicted by the previously mentioned students emphasized the growing need for the passing of the Dream Act, which would assist AB 540 students in becoming permanent residents of the U.S.

Many remain optimistic of the Obama regime in regards to coping with this issue.

“The election of this new president gives me a lot of hope,” said Rodriguez.

Video Courtesy of Daily Forty-Niner