Immigration march planned for Sunday

By Tovin Lapan

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 | 5:30 p.m.

A march in support of reforming the U.S. immigration system is planned for Sunday in downtown Las Vegas.

Organizers, who say the march is permitted and Metro Police will be on hand to ensure a safe event, are inviting any community members who wish to demonstrate their endorsement of current congressional efforts to overhaul what they say is a cumbersome immigration system and find a solution for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally.

"This march is to show support for comprehensive immigration reform and urge our elected officials to act," said Carlos Silva, an organizer.

Silva specifically singled out U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, who has been less adamant about his support for accomplishing reform than his fellow Nevada congressional delegates.

Amodei, a Republican, is the only member of the Nevada congressional delegation who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, where immigration legislation will be formed.

"I've always been for improvements in border security," Amodei told the Sun earlier this month. "And I am not convinced that guest workers are a bad thing. We should have a pathway for people who to come and work. You can't assume that everyone who comes wants to be a citizen."

Amodei added he was also open to a pathway to citizenship for immigrants with no legal residency status.

Silva said he and other organizers decided to hold this march to sustain momentum gained from President Barack Obama's Jan. 29 speech on immigration reform at Las Vegas' Del Sol High School.

"A lot of people felt motivated after the president came but were not ready to commit to do something," Silva said. "We wanted to hold this march now so we didn't let too much time pass by without action."

March participants will meet at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Fremont and Main streets. The march will begin at 1:30 p.m. and proceed to the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Those interested in participating in the event are encouraged to wear white, carry U.S. flags and bring signs that display "positive" messages, Silva said.