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WATERLOO | Immigration reform activists in Iowa plan to capitalize on a gathering this Saturday that will bring more than a dozen 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls to the state a year ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

The Iowa Freedom Summit hosted by U.S. 4th District Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, and Citizens United will be in Des Moines Saturday. In addition to ticketed guests, the immigration activists will seek the ears of potential candidates.

Waterloo activist Monica Reyes, a co-founder of DREAM Iowa, will be among the reform advocates who hope to hear the candidates stances on immigration and the executive orders advanced by President Barack Obama that allow Reyes to live legally in the state.

Reyes said during a press conference with other activists from around the state that their mission this Saturday at the summit is to respectfully confront as many candidates as possible to get their immigration stances on record and to ensure their message on the issue is clear and consistent.

This just kind of the beginning. Its just starting, Reyes said. We want to make sure that these people actually make their stance clear.

Reyes said she is not interested in speaking to any presidential hopeful in particular, but rather to as many who are willing to voice their opinions.

Erika Andiola, co-director of DRM Action Coalition, agreed but also expressed interest in hearing from those like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who have previously expressed some support for programs like Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Reyes said she wants to make clear the implications of reversing DACA.

She said for people like her who benefited from DACA, a reversal means losing a good-paying job, economic stability, the ability to attend college, losing a house, and otherwise losing security.

Are they willing to cause that kind of damage to a lot of people that are finally able to have upward mobility? Is this something that they are willing to have as a cost? Its a human cost to their actions, Reyes said.

Link:
Waterloo immigration activist's group to be at Steve King summit