Updated 04:11 AM EDT, Fri, Mar 29, 2024

Immigration Reform 2014: Undocumented Mothers Arrested for Protesting Outside DNC Headquarters

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Washington, D.C. police made several arrests on Monday when protesters made up of primarily undocumented mothers gathered outside of the Democratic National Committee's headquarters. The protest was intended to pressure the democrats controlling the Senate as well as President Obama to force them to act on promises to use their power to reform the U.S.' official immigration policy.

At least four protesters were arrested for blocking either side of the road directly outside of the DNC headquarters. MSNBC reports that the four arrested protesters included Teresa Galindo, 70; Andrea Adum, 28; Maria Elena, 50 and Mayra Canales, 20. Elena is reportedly an undocumented immigrant. Another protester told media representatives that the women were aware that they might be arrested; that man, Cesar Vargas, said he is Galindo's son.

"I'm definitely concerned, but she knows what she was getting herself into," said Vargas of his mother. "For me, it's an inspiration. She is fighting for her freedom, to remind all political parties that she's fighting for her family." 

Protesters advocating for immigration reform were reportedly angered in early September when President Obama passed on enacting any new immigration reforms before the upcoming election in November. Many believe this move is an effort to help the Democrats maintain their control over the Senate by making immigration reform (or any poorly implemented immigration reform policy) an issue for debate before the election. However, this plan could backfire on the president and Democrats as advocacy groups claim that 70,000 undocumented immigrants could be deported because of the Democrats' inaction. 

Obama had pledged just a few months ago to use his presidential powers to make some reforms to official immigration policy in the face of a Congress that was gridlocked on the issue. And when the president announced he would be delaying any action until after the election, advocacy groups were angered that the president appeared more concerned with playing politics than aiding those he promised to help. 

Back in 2012, the president used his executive powers to allow some 580,000 undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. on a temporary provision. 

"We came especially to say please come through with your promises," one protester told MSNBC outside the DNC headquarters on Monday. Maria Cruz has lived in the U.S. for over 13 years but is concerned that inaction on the part of Congress and the president could result in her being separated from her three children.

"We're human beings and we're running the risk that by the time he passes executive orders, something might happen ... Maybe I'll be deported,"  Cruz said.

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