About 80 protesters marched in Santa Maria Wednesday, calling for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. [KCOY]
The protesters marched to the corner of Main St. and Broadway, where they held signs, many of which saying, “The time is Now!”
According to the North County Coalition, which works to keep undocumented families together, there are more than 23,000 undocumented immigrants in Santa Barbara County.
Former undocumented immigrant Rosa Coronado said parents come to the United States to provide better futures for their families.
“I don’t think it’s fair for families to be separated because the parents want the best for their kids,” Coronado said.
Coronado, who is now a citizen, said she came to California from Mexico in 1978 to work in the fields, but authorities deported her mother and older brothers.
Wednesday was International Workers’ Day. Some of the Santa Maria protesters carried signs saying, “Power to the workers.”
