Washington – An 8-year old boy whose mother was deported to Mexico led a chanting crowd of about 150 pro- immigration activists through the halls of Congress on Wednesday. Capitol Police arrested two demonstrators for disorderly conduct.
Saul Arellano and other children carried a banner that read: “Born in the USA. Don’t take our moms and dads away.”
The boy’s mother, Elvira Arellano, was deported last month after taking refuge in a Chicago church for a year.
In Tijuana, Mexico, across the border from San Diego, Elvira Arellano spoke about her son to several dozen demonstrators. Saul was scheduled to join her there today.
“He is a boy who has been suffering because the U.S. government told his mother she couldn’t stay in their country anymore because she was undocumented,” she said.
In Washington, activists clashed with police outside the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, chanting and shouting for her to lead on immigration reform. Pelosi, D-Calif., was in Oregon on Wednesday for a forum on global warming.
The boy will move to Mexico and attend school there, his mother said.
