Dozens of undocumented workers rallied Saturday afternoon at Chicago’s Federal Plaza, where they called on city and federal leaders to provide them with the same work permits that have been granted to many newly arrived migrants and asylum workers.
“Work permits now,” they chanted.
Generations of undocumented workers showed up to the demonstration. Many were individuals who have lived and worked in the city for decades without the proper authorization — having paid taxes, raised children and otherwise assimilated in communities across the city and United States.
“We not only pay taxes, but we contribute so much to this country’s economy,” said Eduardo Rivero Burjos, a student at a local university.
He told WBBM that many people, including his mother, who worked as a lawyer in her home country of Honduras, have been putting their skills to waste. In his mother’s case, Rivero Burjos said she’s been working as a cashier at Dunkin’ Donuts for the past 18 years.
Even worse, he said many undocumented individuals are forced to work for cash under the table, which has left them vulnerable to unfair wages, among other challenges.
Hellbound and Down 