Two hundred 1199SEIU members and retirees from New York City, the Capital Region and Central New York joined with more than a thousand people of diverse immigrant communities in Albany for a Day of Action sponsored by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). The coalition is an umbrella policy advocacy organization of 200 member groups working for justice and opportunity for immigrants.

After marching past the state capitol building chanting, “Dream Act” and “Si Se Puede”, the group rallied at Lafayette Park, now known as the site of many Occupy Albany demonstrations. Speakers addressed a variety of concerns, emphasizing the need to pass New York State Dream legislation, which would ensure that all students, regardless of immigration status, have access to tuition assistance and college savings plans, making it possible for them to attend college and fulfill their potential.

1199SEIU Vice President Ana Vazquez inspired the crowd. “We are proud to be a part of the 2012 Immigrants Day of Action,” she said. “The history of our union is steeped in the struggle of immigrant healthcare workers, fighting for better lives. In the 1930s, in the 1960s and today, we continue to work to pursue every opportunity for a good education for our members and their children.

’For too many years now, the federal government has failed our communities by refusing to pass the Dream Act, leaving undocumented young people without relief. As a state with one of the largest immigrant populations, we must, together, be at the forefront of progressive immigration policies, pushing back on the tide of national and local anti-immigrant policies. We will not beg, we demand justice now.”

In addition to lobbying for the Dream Act, activists spent the later part of the afternoon talking with legislators about various proposals that would help more immigrant students graduate from high school and facilitate parent involvement in education and college preparation. They also highlighted the critical need to protect immigrant services and programs, restore funding for adult literacy programs, and ensure immigrant access to health care and labor protections for immigrant workers.