Immigration groups seek tie-in with war debate

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — Frustrated by Congress' lack of progress on immigration reform, pro-immigrant activists want to tap into growing anti-war sentiment this spring by combining the two issues at dozens of rallies nationwide.

Many organizers are concerned that debate over the Iraq war has overshadowed immigration reform, and some immigrants are increasingly opposed to the conflict as more foreign-born troops are killed or wounded.

Both issues are personal for protest organizer Juan Jose Gutierrez. His 22-year-old nephew was killed last year in Iraq after emigrating from Mexico, and becoming a U.S. citizen while serving with the Marines.

"The war is something that affects immigrants dramatically right now," said Gutierrez, president of the Los Angeles-based group Latino Movement USA. "It's important people understand that the anti-war and immigration movements are connected."