Organizers estimated the turnout at more than 11,000 young people
Dream Relief workshops help children who were illegally brought into the United States apply for a work permit and even a driver’s license. Anthony Ponce reports on Wednesday’s event.
The turnout for Wednesday’s Dream Relief workshop in Chicago was so strong that organizers began turning people away.
Locals know the venue as Navy Pier, but Rep. Luis Gutierrez called it something different.
“Navy Pier is today’s Ellis Island. And while they saw New York City, today, they see Chicago,” Gutierrez said.
The line of undocumented students wrapped around Navy Pier and at one point across the Chicago River to apply for deferred action to allow them, at least in the short-term, not to worry about deportation. Organizers estimated the turnout at more than 11,000 young people.
“This is what America’s about. This is what their parents came to this country for,” said Laurence Benito, CEO of the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights.
