Immigration reform advocates hoped her story would generate sympathy for immigrants. But they also knew enough to expect it would attract critics.
As Hispanic leaders gathered inside Houston's Alpha and Omega Church to call for immigration reform, protesters clashed outside. One side was crying out for the safety of our country. The other, for compassion toward its immigrants. And both wanted change.
"We deal with this issue literally every day in our offices," said Houston Congressman Gene Green.
Congressman Green hosted Saturday's 'Family Unity' event to gather signatures on a petition, calling for the president to pass legislation by the end of the year to allow thousands of immigrants already in the U.S. to stay here.
"Why would we deport a mother and father if their child is a U.S. citizen?" said
But the group, Borderwatch, believes lawmakers should prioritize homeland security.
"We need to secure our borders and then we can talk about the details of people who are here," said
Their message, at one point, made its way inside the church to interrupt the events inside, showing there's no sacred ground in this debate.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are travelling to 23 cities across the country to hold these family unity events. Organizers say they've faced protests everywhere they go.
QUICK HEADLINES | MORE LOCAL | GET NEWS ALERTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC13 SOCIAL NETWORKING
Find us on Facebook® | Follow us on Twitter | More social networking
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE FROM ABC13
ABC13 widget | Most popular stories |
Street-level weather
ABC13 wireless |
Slideshow archive |
Help solve crimes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
