Local immigrants and immigrants’ rights activists have announced plans for a march outside of the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building this Wednesday to highlight their opposition to the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437). The bill, passed in the House of Representatives in December of 2005, effectively criminalizes immigration by moving immigration violations from being a civil matter to a federal crime, criminalizes individuals and organizations assisting undocumented immigrants, gives local officials the power to enforce immigration law, and makes other changes to immigration policy.

The march is part of a national effort to fight HR 4437 and to prevent the passage of a similar bill in the Senate. Moreover, there has been considerable local organizing around the issue with forums and organizing meetings being held this month and last month, both of which have garnered considerable participation from the immigrant community. While local Congressman Vern Ehlers voted for HR 4437, organizers are urging people to write to Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin as the Senate will take up the bill on March 2nd.

For background information on the issue, the February 10, 2006 edition of Catalyst Radio featured a good overview of the legislation and local organizing efforts.