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Hundreds of Local Business Supported Largest Mobilization of Immigrants since Election

Press Release
May 1, 2017
3 min read

DNC CHAIR TOM PEREZ JOINS THOUSANDS AT WHITE HOUSE RALLY DEMANDING TRUMP STOP DEPORTATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Thousands of people marched from Dupont Circle to Lafayette Square on Monday, to demand an end to Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, in the largest protest of immigrants since Trump took office. CASA in Action and 32BJ SEIU’s event was one of more than 100 events nationwide organized to speak out against unconstitutional mandates that are terrorizing communities and encouraging racial profiling practices that legal and law enforcement authorities agree have no place in our legal system. Speakers included: DNC Chair, Tom Perez, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, ( D- Ill) and Delegate Carlo Sanchez (D-47B, MD, Chair Maryland Latino Caucus); Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-49, VA), Del. Maricé Morales (D-19, MD); Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-21, MD); Senator Victor Ramirez (D-47, MD); Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (D-18, MD); Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez, City of Brentwood, MD; CASA in Action; 32BJ SEIU and immigrants affected by Trump's policies. More than 100 local businesses supported the march in Washington, D.C. as well as sister marches in York, PA and Richmond, Va. Some businesses closed and others gave the day off to employees who participated. “Standing up for the rights of workers, whether they be immigrants, the poor, and the disadvantaged has never been easy but, especially in these times, when our values are under attack, stepping forward is absolutely necessary,” said 32BJ Vice President, Jaime Contreras. “Families in our community are being destroyed, American-born children are being separated from their parents. We refuse to stand aside and do nothing.” Almaz Beyenne, a contracted Dulles International Airport worker who went on strike last week against her employer, the Huntleigh Corporation said, “We make this country stronger with our work, by exercising our rights, and by paying taxes. Now I am scared because I don’t know what he will do next, but he must respect us, because this nation is made for immigrants.” “Today, immigrants stood side by side with workers in rallies around the country to protest the Trump Administration’s xenophobic and racist actions, and his policies that favor the rich and hurt poor people,” said CASA in Action President Gustavo Torres. “We let the President know that we will not accept his wall, his ban, or his persecution of immigrants. These events are part of CASA’s ongoing struggle to protect the Latinx community and uphold the rights of all immigrants.” A recent CNN poll shows 90% of the public supports offering citizenship to immigrants living in the US illegally but hold a job, speak English and are willing to pay back taxes, including 87% of Republicans. Immigrants strengthen the economy by creating millions of jobs every year and are more likely than U.S. born workers to be small business owners. In 2012, it was estimated that there were 11.2 million undocumented people collectively paid$11.84 billion in state and local taxes. Immigrants nationwide pay a tax rate of around 8 percent, while the top 1 percent of taxpayers pays an average nationwide effective tax rate of just 5.4 percent. Granting lawful permanent residence to all 11.4 million Immigrants and allowing them to work in the United States legally would increase their state and local tax contributions by an estimated $2.2 billion a year. Immigrants also pay property taxes directly on their homes or indirectly as renters. Furthermore, taxpayers already spend more money on immigration enforcement than enforcing on all other laws combined. With 163,000 members in 11 states, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country. 32BJ members hail from 64 different countries and speak 28 different languages. The overwhelming majority of 32BJ’s 18,000 members in the D.C. Metropolitan Area and Baltimore are immigrants from Central and South America. CASA is a Latino and immigrant organization and a national leader in building power and improving the quality of life in low-income Latino and immigrant communities. Its vision is for a future in which diverse and thriving communities live free from discrimination and fear, and work together with mutual respect to achieve full human rights for all. Over its 30-year history CASA has established itself as a strong national leader in innovations for Latino and immigrant-focused services, and backbone organization for collective impact involving community-based, government and private partners.