Thousands Attend Immigrant Integration Conference In Anaheim
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — It was a packed house at the 7th Annual National Immigrant Integration Conference in Anaheim on Monday night as President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration reform is set to take effect.
Nearly 2,000 showed up for the event, many of whom hoped to find out if they are eligible under the order, which promises, among other things, to shield parents of U.S.-born children from deportation for three years.
Paula Gutierrez, an undocumented Anaheim mom and private preschool teacher, said she is looking forward to legally obtaining her driver's license.
"It is right now a great opportunity. All of us, all my friends and everybody is excited about it," Gutierrez said.
She was one of over 500 Orange County residents who gathered at St. Boniface Church for the free community forum on federal immigration changes and a new California driver's license law.
Anaheim resident Camarino Rios said he was hoping to learn "what this program is going to be, how it's going to effect us in a positive way so we can really become part of the system, part of the American family."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has pledged support for the process.
"People who live, visit and are in Los Angeles, I want to make sure they're paying taxes, they can get a driver's license, they can be here legally," Garcetti said.
The conference will continue through Tuesday afternoon at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
