Activists from the greater New York City area demand immigration reform.

Immigrants from all areas of New York and nearby Connecticut came with their whole families to Carmel, to gather in front of Congressman John Hall's (D-NY-District 19) office to ask for his vote in favor of the legalization of undocumented immigrants. 

"We are organizing to seek support from the elected official in order to bring a bill to Congress and have it approved," said Betsy Palmieri, executive director of the Hudson Valley Community Coalition, a pro-immigrant organization. 

As part of the campaign, which seeks support and consensus, Palmieri said that she had received support from Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who have committed to voting in favor of immigrants.

"The campaign is urgent, and the signing of the law as well, to avoid the continued detention and deportation of thousands of immigrants.  We want the deportations to stop," she added.

As part of the national pro-immigrant campaign, teams have been created to undertake public events to push forward the debate over the immigration law.  Twelve of these teams exist in our areas. 

One of the leaders, Norma Pereira Mora, member of the Hudson Valley Patriots for Immigration Reform, said that the community is participating in the public acts and there are many volunteers supporting the cause.

"We are working in our communities to educate our people on laws and how to use them," said Pereira.  "Immigration reform is necessary because there are many people being detained and then deported, without knowing the damage being done to their families," she added.

Local activists are also preparing for the national march in favor of immigration reform in Washington, D.C. on March 21.  At a local level, events will take place that day as well.

"We want to get 100,000 people together to support this effort," said Pereira Mora.