Immigration reform hope shared
By Sarah Reinecke
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
South Omaha's Tree of Life sculpture at 24th and L Streets is a symbol of immigrant heritage.
Gathering under that symbolic tree Tuesday were people of different races and ages who spoke, prayed and sang in Spanish and English, urging changes in federal immigration policy.
Omaha faith leaders joined in the national campaign of fasting and prayer for immigration reform. This week has been designated as Nebraska's week of action.
The campaign is a response to Arizona's new immigration law, which makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.
It also comes just days before Fremont, Neb., residents vote on a proposed ordinance that would require businesses to take steps to ensure the identity of new employees and restrict landlords from renting to people without verified documents.
Maria Teresa Gaston, director of the Creighton University Center for Services and Justice, said the goal is to get federal leaders to create a new immigration policy that makes the legalization process easier for immigrants.
“If they are here, they should have a path to become citizens, and there is not a path for the majority of them,” Gaston said.
“We are not trying to say we shouldn't have borders and policies to regulate borders. We're talking about reasonable policy. ... We can work things out in humane and just ways.”
More than 50 people took part in the vigil.
Bright orange day lilies were held by many participating in the vigil. Gaston said the flowers were an expression of “what is blooming today” and represented how immigrants are helping Omaha and Nebraska to grow and flourish.
The Rev. Howard Dotson spoke of how much Latinos contribute to society and how everyone deserves dignity and human rights.
Immigrants “seek the American dream, but the reality is that dream has become a nightmare,” Dotson said. “We need to learn from our mistakes and turn a new page.”
Contact the writer:
444-1543, sarah.reinecke@owh.com
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About Me
- Howard
- Im a Mainline protestant minister who loves serving in multicultural and urban contexts. I'm very interested in how liberation theology and existential-humanistic psychology are applied to the praxis of pastoral care and counseling. My most profound encounters with God come as we sojourn as brothers and sisters seeking the inbreaking of God's reign, here and now.
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