Valley joins prayer vigils for immigration reform

Staff reports • the desert sun • April 10, 2010

Advocates held a prayer vigil in Cathedral City on Friday night as part of a nationwide campaign to urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.

On the campaign trail, President Barack Obama pledged to overhaul the nation's immigration policies, but that promise has taken a back seat to the ailing economy and health care reform.

“The rallies and vigils will show America wants immigration reform now, which will help families, workers and youth,” said Hadley Bajramovic, an immigration attorney who has Coachella Valley clients.

“The immigration reform efforts of the previous years failed, not because America did not want it, but because those supporting immigration reform were not united and organized.”

The event was organized by the Diocese of San Bernardino, which includes Riverside County, and the Justice for Immigrants Coalition.