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San Bernardino – May Day 2016

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On Sunday May 1, nearly 300 people gathered at the San Bernardino Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Facility on W. Rialto Ave. in San Bernardino and made the nearly 5-mile trek to San Bernardino City Hall.

Some participants held signs that said “Luchando Por Justicia” or “Fighting for Justice” while others held signs that said “Vota!” or “Go DAPA Go.” DAPA refers to another deferred action program under review by the Supreme Court that would grant undocumented parents of U.S.-born children and legal permanent residents protection from deportation if implemented.

Among them was 19-year-old Eric Melendez of Colton, who said his cousin was deported after serving in the U.S. Army and returning home from Iraq. “There is something very wrong with our immigration system,” Melendez said. Melendez said his cousin, Marco Melendez, who deployed to Iraq twice, was arrested and convicted on charges of driving under the influence in Los Angeles County. After his conviction, he was placed on an immigration hold and deported back to Mexico. “He’s lived here his entire life,” Melendez said. “He didn’t even speak Spanish and after serving this country during a war they just sent him to Mexico after one mistake.”

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The march was sponsored by the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, local families and community members. Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is an active member of the Coalition and very active in the planning of the event.

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