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Stories of families torn apart by deportations were juxtaposed against quilts bearing the images of men and women killed by undocumeted immigrants Saturday as parties on opposing sides of immigration reform conducted demonstrations in San Juan Capistrano and elsewhere in the county to make their voices heard.

Outside Mission San Juan Capistrano, members of We the People Rising, a Claremont-based group that opposes illegal immigration, held up the U.S. flag and banners that read Stop Illegal Immigration, Hire Americans and Secure the Border.

Across the street stood a group of Latino immigration activists holding a large banner that read Undocumented and Unafraid in South Orange County. Members of that group shouted, Not one more, demanding an end to deportations of illegal immigrants.

Were just immigrant youth from San Juan Capistrano who are here to ask the government to pass comprehensive immigration reform instead of tearing families apart, Ana Karen Rosal said.

Members of the Orange County Dream Team, who have temporary legal residency under a program that defers deportation for young people, staged similar events in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano as part of a Day of Action with events by various groups participating in the Not One More campaign nationwide.

Opponents of the campaign held their rally in San Juan Capistrano.

Steve Nelson, a San Juan Capistrano resident, said he came to help vocalize the need for secure borders. All were asking is that the government enforce the law and end illegal immigration, he said. Why should we be labeled as racists and xenophobes?

Robert McDearmon, a San Clemente resident, said he isnt against legal immigrants making the United States home.

But dont jump in the front of the line and dont break the law, he said. Illegal immigrants are taking jobs our veterans should have, and they are kicking up taxes here in California. I dont blame the people who came to this country looking for a better life. I blame our government for not enforcing the law.

McDearmon and at least 10 others displayed a stolen lives quilt to honor American citizens killed by people who are living in the United States States illegally. Members of We the People Rising held signs and quilts, which are part of a Remembrance Project based in Houston.

Original post:

Immigration reform fuels demonstrations