Immigration rallies held in Providence

 Nicole Brazier
nbrazier@abc6.com
@NicoleBrazierTV

PROVIDENCE – A should of “Yes we can!” was A cry for freedom from local groups pushing for the expansion of rights for illegal immigrants.

On the heels of Governor Chafee’s decision to stop holding undocumented workers behind bars without a warrant, activist groups want even more change.

“Issue an executive order giving drivers licenses to all people that look the same, unmarked,” said activist Harol Lopez from the group Power of Workers.

But that request is met with serious opposition.

In an expression of patriotism and loyalty… Anti–immigration protesters gathered in front of the state house today, chanting the national anthem, with a message for those in support of opening the border.

“We can’t let them get away with this any longer, we’re losing our country, we’re losing our state! Wake up everyone!” shouted Karen Gorman, of the group Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement.

Those advocating for undocumented immigrants are calling this a case of asylum.

“President Obama has already declared this situation a humanitarian crisis, now we are calling on him to recognize this as the refugee crisis that it is,” said international activist Elvira Arellano.

Which is the reasoning behind possibly opening up Rhode Island to a number of unaccompanied children abandoned at the nation’s southern border.

Massachusetts and Connecticut have already been asked by the federal government to house those kids.

Rhode Island hasn’t been asked yet… but is exploring housing options just in case.

“We’re just assessing what might be available out there, whether its closed prison facilities or just what might be out there, that we could in an emergency situation, deal with a request from the federal government,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee.

But protesters say: take care of our children., before taking on any more.

“45 million Americans in poverty, 35% of which are children, yet we want to help children that are flooding illegally to this country,” said Rhue Reis, Republican congressional candidate.

Pro–immigration groups will meet with Governor Chafee at the State House on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of granting undocumented immigrants Rhode Island state drivers licenses.

(c) WLNE-TV 2014