Passionate protesters on both sides of immigration debate turn out in Irving. [View All]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-irvrally_14met.ART0.West.Edition1.424c12f.html

"For the second time in as many months, demonstrators clogged Irving's streets over the Criminal Alien Program, which allows local police to turn suspected illegal immigrants over to federal authorities."

"Irving has found itself in the national spotlight in recent weeks for its use of the program. But at least nine North Texas law enforcement agencies have a Criminal Alien Program or similar effort in which federal officials are routinely notified about arrestees whose immigration status is suspicious."

"Several Irving minority leaders, activists and Hispanic pastors formed Irving Forward this week, a group that opposes some aspects of CAP. But they have tried to distance themselves from Carlos Quintanilla and his Accion America group. Accion America organized Saturday's protest march and rally, but members of Irving Forward urged people not to attend. They said it would do little more than stir up racial tensions."

"But Jesse Two Hawks, a Pueblo Indian, said he wasn't going to back down. His beef with the immigration debate goes back to what happened centuries ago. His argument: Hispanics are descendants of indigenous tribes present in the Americas long before the European explorers discovered the land."

"Diana Dove, a young woman from Fort Worth, carried a double-sided sign. "Racist: Mexican slang for person who wants the law to be enforced," read one side. "Red, White, Black and Brown, if you're illegal get outta town," rhymed the other."
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Immigration reform seems to be on hold on a national level, but ferment continues in many localities.