04/11/06 Immigration reform rally in Idaho

Sam Byrd knows how hard it can be to get people to rally for a cause. That's why he was so pleased with an estimated five thousand people paraded through downtown Boise in a peaceful rally for immigration reform. BYRD "For the first time I think advocates in the community and industry and to a large degree a lot of policy makers are on the same side. We know that we have to do something." Byrd is director for the Center for Community and Justice. BYRD "People are caught in a system that not only isn't securing the borders but also isn't processing folks the way it should be. That's frustrating." The Republican controlled Congress doesn't go back to work for another two weeks and there are some who predict that no legislation will make it to the President's desk in this election year. BYRD "We agree with many of the same family values and traditional values that are espoused by very frankly the Republicans but this is also a major moral issue that really affects out communities and those same elections that people seem to be holding back might be a surprise to them because I think people are going to vote on this issue big time." Byrd says the Hispanic community will support immigration reform but they'll fight the House passed bill, HR4437, which makes it a felony to be in the US illegally and punishes employers who hire undocumented workers. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott