A woman stood on stage at the End Poverty rally and shouted, "They considered me a felon."
Her teenage daughter stood with her, holding a banner for Lorain Ohio Immigrant Rights Association.
The woman's name is Anabel Baron. She is a Mexican immigrant that was considered a felon for crossing the boarder twice. "I went back to my mom's funeral in Mexico," Baron explained.
She was in the U.S legally under a working waiver, and awaiting a citizenship interview. Baron was stopped in 2014 by the police for going 6 miles over the the speed limit. "I had a letter of approval and my Mexican I.D," she says.
Baron was held for in a deportation cell for seven hours. A friend with the Ohio grassroots organization, HOLA, negotiated for her release. "She explained I am a single mother of four U.S citizens, I am their main provider," said Baron.
Each year she must apply for a new work waiver. "I happy today because I got approved for another year," Baron said.
Lorain Ohio Immigrant Rights Association, were additional advocates for Baron. She is now vice president of the organization. Baron says immigration reform is a key issue for the group this election season. "Trump has threatened us, we want to go with hope and not threat."
According to Baron they have 90 illegal immigrants in their organization. Today only ten members showed up. She explained this was because many live in fear, "They don't want to come out of the shadows."
