Two views of immigration debate

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Sylvia Carranza, 40, a union organizer and South Central Los Angeles resident, said she joined the march to McArthur Park this afternoon to show her support for immigrant rights. Carranza, a second generation Mexican American, said the demonstrations show Washington lawmakers that people are paying attention and care about immigration reforms.

‘For U.S.-born citizens, it is really important to participate because it’s showing our representatives that we are watching,’ said Carranza, who wore a red T-shirt that said ‘We March today. We vote tomorrow.’ She said as long as immmigrants work, ‘they should have access to the same rights that we do.’

Richard Abrams, 51, an opponent of illegal immigration who observed the gathering of marchers at 3rd Street and Vermont, said that all immigrants should follow the legal process if they want to become citizens. ‘My issue with illegal immigration is that it’s illega. Enough said,’ Abrams said. ‘I’m personally bothered by today’s march. I know it’s not a black and white issue but gray.

However, if i went to Mexico and did this, would they allow it?’ Although he supports the government’s plans to build a wall along the border, Abrams said he did not believe that families should be separated because of immigration problems. ‘It’s fundamentally wrong if you believe in families,’ he said.

-Francisco Vara-Orta at 3rd and Vermont