Hundreds of individuals marched in Dallas Saturday afternoon demanding immigration reform. The march was part of the National Day of Dignity and Respect, with similar events taking place across the country. As many as 400 people gathered at Reverchon Park to raise awareness of an issue that many marchers said has been forgotten. “We have people who are unfortunately waiting years to get any documentation and are forced to work in the shadows,” said organizer Luis Veloz. “I don’t think that’s the correct way for the U.S.” Claudia Martinez was rallying for her four children and her husband, who are in El Salvador. The couple’s other three children live with her in Texas. She told her husband that she doesn’t want him to come to America illegally because the risk is too great. “It’s been eight years since they deported him, but it feels like it was just yesterday… that’s hard,” Martinez said. She said the earliest she can petition for a green card for her husband would be in 2015. According to reports, there are an estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S. Many advocates and organizers of rallies are insistent for a fix to what they call a “broken system.” They’re engaging lawmakers to create an easier way for undocumented, law-abiding people to become citizens of the United States. “We’re not trying to tear down the fabric of this country – we’re trying to help this country and help our families,” Veloz said. The Dallas rally ended with a mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe downtown. Similar events took place in more than 150 other cities across the U.S. As of today, there still isn’t an agreement for illegal immigrants to be granted guaranteed citizenship but lawmakers have not given up and the fight continues. There is still a way that illegal immigrants can stay in the United States if done right, so if you or your family members or friends need help with immigration, contact K and M Attorneys at Law for your free consultaiton so we can discus and determine if there is any relief available based on each individual’s circumstance.