Group pushes immigration reform via ‘Trail of Dreams’

ALBANY — Four students who were brought to the United States at a young age, and say they now find themselves unable to achieve their full potential, are making a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. in an effort to make things better for others facing a similar position.

They began a 1,500-mile journey on foot on Jan. 1 from Miami to the nation’s capital as part of the “Trail of Dreams” to call attention to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. On Monday, they stopped into the Albany Welcome Center in an effort to rally public support.

Felipe Matos, 23, born to a single mother in Brazil, was sent to the United States at age 14 to live with relatives. He is currently studying economics at a community college in Florida, but has dreams of doing something bigger — which he says his immigration status prevents him from doing.

“I’ve been called an illegal alien, but last time I checked, I’m not an alien,” he said. “I’m just a human being, yet I’ve been stigmatized. Day after day, I’ve been told to go in the shadows.”

Being denied equal access to an education and living in fear of having a family split apart at any given moment are among the burdens people like Matos say they have to carry.

“They are separating our families in the middle of the night,” he said.

A few members of the Albany community were there to welcome the group, including Polly Cherry from the Dougherty County NAACP chapter.

“So many times we know what is right, but we don’t stand up for what is right,” she said. “Until we get justice everywhere, we can’t afford to sit around and not do anything.”

The Rev. Ezekiel Holly, vice president of the NAACP of Georgia, also offered words of support.

“I hope when you get to Washington and you talk to our president, I hope he will have an open mind,” he said. “I applaud you for trying to get justice for all.”

The nationally recognized effort aims to share the real life stories of the country’s newest arrivals and confront the myths and stereotypes of immigrants, both documented and undocumented.

“We are trying to organize our community and bring awareness of immigration reform here and nationally,” said Adelina Nicholls, executive director of the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. “A broken immigration system put them out of the picture to become professional and more productive members of the community.”

Gaby Pacheco, 25, Carlos Roa, 22, and Juan Rodriquez, 20, are the other three walkers making the journey.

Three organizations were instrumental in launching the “Trail of Dreams.” Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER) is a student-led grassroots movement that fights for just and humane immigration reform, and access to higher education. The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) coordinates immigrant organizations in Florida to seek equal rights for immigrants and integration into civic and cultural life.

Presente.org is a national online organizing effort seeking to amplify the voices of Latinos and their allies.

The group is expected to reach their final destination on May 1. They arrived in Albany after visiting Cairo. Before continuing their pilgrimage, they plan to visit Tifton and Bainbridge. They will carry on with their journey Wednesday, with the next scheduled stop to be in Smithville.

For more information on the movement, visit www.trial2010.org.