The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
August 29, 2014

More than 100 Arrested Outside White House Calling for End to Deportations 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
More than 100 people have been arrested in front of the White House
protesting the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Demonstrators
laid red carnations over photos of loved ones who have been deported.
The rally came as part of a national day of action in more than a dozen
cities calling on President Obama to take executive action on
immigration reform.

Jonathan Perez: "I'm an immigrant, and I achieved the DACA [Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals], so I can manage to work legally now, but
I'm the only one in my family, and it saddens me to know that I went
over half of what my mom makes in two weeks. So, I want her to have the
opportunity to make as much money as I do, and no matter what kind of
work she's doing. So, you know, I feel like I need to be out here in
support of everyone, because I want everyone to have equal rights."

Speaking inside the White House, Obama renewed his pleas to Congress for
the passage of immigration reform. But he also suggested he would take
executive action if it is the only way to act.

President Obama: "I have been very clear about the fact that our
immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. And my preference
continues to be that Congress act. I don't think anybody thinks that
Congress is going to act in the short term, but hope springs eternal
that after the midterm elections they may act. The good news is, we've
started to make some progress. You know, what we've seen so far is that
throughout the summer, the number of apprehensions have been decreasing.
Maybe that's counterintuitive, but that's a good thing, because that
means that fewer folks are coming across."

 

.