Yesterday immigration reform advocates from around the Bay Area embarked on a journey toward raising awareness and supporting changes in immigration policy. Over the weekend, they marched 40 miles from San Jose and Petaluma to the San Francisco Federal Building, uniting to call for the passage of H.R. 1511, also known as the Registry Bill.

The Registry Bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, would provide lawful permanent resident status to certain long-term residents, including undocumented individuals, allowing an estimated 8 million undocumented residents to apply for legal permanent residency. Inspired by the nearly 40 years of congressional inaction on immigration reform since the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, the 40-mile walk is a testament to the urgent need for change via CBS News San Francisco.

Organized by the Northern California Coalition for Just Immigration Reform (NCCJIR), the march aimed to highlight the plight of undocumented immigrants living in fear and working in exploitative conditions. Driven by personal experiences and hope for a better future, participants like Bryan Fructuoso marched for family members who had not seen their loved ones in years due to an undocumented status from the Press Democrat.

As the marchers reached the Golden Gate Bridge, they met with immigration reform advocates from across the country. Similar demonstrations took place in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Miami, Denver, Houston, and Washington, spotlighting the Registry Bill as vital legislation for millions of undocumented individuals in the U.S.

 

Immigration rights supporters march down I Street in Petaluma on a 3-day March to San Francisco. @NorthBayNews pic.twitter.com/xAV6cypKRj

— Erik Castro (@_erik_castro) August 5, 2023

 

March leaders sought to challenge misconceptions about undocumented immigrants by emphasizing their productive contributions to society, as well as the human rights implications of immigration. Socorro Diaz, a leader of the organizer, noted that all individuals have the right to move to new places.