How much does New Hampshire need legal and illegal immigrants who work and live in the state?
That's the question organizers hope to pose to friends and neighbors with demonstrations in Nashua and Manchester today/Monday.
Nationwide immigrants' rights activists are holding similar events.
But with far fewer immigrants in New Hampshire than Texas, California or even Massachusetts how large of an impact do immigrants have here?
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein spoke with one family that lives in the Greater Manchester area and filed this report.
Daniel Maradiaga of Manchester, applauds outside of City Hall in Manchester during the Immigrants and Allies Rally in Manchester.(Cheryl Senter, NHPR)
Two people we'll call Luis and Paloma live with their four kids on a manicured street outside Manchester.
They have a nice split-level ranch, big yard, and a trampoline.
They came to New Hampshire about three years ago from New Jersey.
Luis, who hangs sheetrock for a living, says he found plenty of work here.
T.1
:28 I work for so many companies. This job, you got to find sometimes the main boss doesn't keep me busy, so I got to find other people to keep me busy. Almost all of New England, Mass, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
He estimates that he and his crew work on 6-10 houses a week.
That's anywhere from 300-500 homes a year.
T.1
6:40 the Spanish people is ready every single time. we work with no vacations...to my boss, I don't take vacations. US people take vacations and do stuff that I don't...we are ready every single time.
A young family in the crowd keeps warm during the Immigrants and Allies Rally in Manchester. (Cheryl Senter, NHPR)
He says, after paying his crew, he brings home $1,500 a month.
Luis, like many immigrants, makes the case that the economy needs people like him who work the long hours for less money.
Salvador, the couple's 12 year old son described his dad taking the day off as 'incredible.'
Luis chose not to work to show solidarity with the thousands expected to stay away from work and school across the country.
His son Salvador says he's proud to be a part of the 'Day Without Immigrants' protest.
T.11
:11 I want this to have an impact on everybody so they will notice and say 'wow, we really need these people. they had a big part in mostly everything that we have in our lives....my dad, he makes houses, without houses, where would people live? Where would they be?
Paloma wonders where her other son's first grade class would be without her.
She's on the PTA.
Sometimes she's called on to make photocopies.
Other times, she says she helps students wash their hands before lunch.
She brings something other PTA parents can't.
T.5
3:12 I try to come up with different ideas like when one of the kids birthdays we make a piñata, make it fun for the kids. And try to show them a different culture...I try to show them there are other ways to do things.
At 31, Paloma's lived in the United States longer than her native Mexico.
Claire Ebel from the NHACLU speaks during the Immigrants and Allies Rally in Manchester. (Cheryl Senter, NHPR)
All four of her children were born in the US.
She's wearing a Life is Good t-shirt with an American flag on it.
She says she feels American.
T.5
14:30 you are not American b/c you were born here. You are American b/c you want to make a better life. You are not taking anything from nobody...that's it, a better life.
At the same time Paloma knows she broke the law when she stayed here illegally.
But she argues she did it to improve her life and the lives of her children.
Her son Salvador says there's nothing wrong with that.
T.11
:48 I don't want people to accuse my mom and dad of being criminals, b/c they are not. Just b/c they are immigrants, even if they weren't or were. Everybody has the right to have freedom.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo