Mexican flags waved in the wind as about 5,000 Mexican Americans marched toward the California State Capitol to protest HR 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005.

Last month’s march in downtown Sacramento was one part of a larger protest movement in numerous cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, about nine million illegal immigrants are living in the United States.

Mimi Beas, co-chair of the Sacramento State Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán ?” an organization that seeks to promote Chicano awareness and political action ?” said she believed the march was a success.

Beas, who is an ASI candidate for executive vice president on the Advocate slate, said the goal of the marches in Sacramento and the other cities was to educate people about the bill.

“There were more participants this year, and I saw more families,” Beas said. “It was more peaceful, and it did unify more people.”

According to the Library of Congress’ Web site, the goal of the bill is “to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, to strengthen enforcement of immigration laws, to enhance border security, and for other purposes.”

The bill would also prevent any immigrant (legal or not) who is convicted of a violent felony or connected with a terrorist organization or criminal street gang to apply for U.S. admission.

According to the bill, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would be given the authorization to identify a group as a criminal street gang.

Also, any illegal immigrant can be deported for either “three or more drunken driving convictions, or social security number and identity fraud,” according to the Library of Congress.

The bill would allow immigrants to apply for a delay of deportation if they feel that their lives or freedoms would be jeopardized in their nation of origin, because of race, religion or nationality.

As of Jan. 27, the bill was referred to the Senate for two readings and then sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to the Library of Congress.

Angel Barajas, Associated Students Inc. president, said one reason why he does not support the bill is because his family emigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, in 1967.

“Under HR 4437, I would be committing a felony because I have made contact with my entire family who came up from Mexico,” Barajas said.

Another reason why Barajas said he does not support the bill is because most illegal immigrants have contributed to the nation’s economy “by cleaning hotel rooms and bathrooms and working in the fields.”

“There are also more than 1,700 illegal immigrants fighting for the United States in Iraq,” Barajas said. “As soon as they die in war, they become U.S. citizens.”

Beas said the bill criminalizes people and dehumanizes “illegals.”

If passed, the bill would maintain control over the borders between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Also it would report any Central American gang border-crossing activity to the Department of Homeland Security.

Beas said more military presence on the border would not stop illegal immigration.Barajas said there does need to be strong border security for “health and safety reasons.”

Barajas also stressed that Americans and the U.S. government should not look upon illegal immigrants as a commodity or as people who just work lower-wage jobs. He said if illegal immigrants do commit crimes, then they should be deported.

Some Sac State students are in support of deporting illegal immigrants who commit violent felonies.

“Deporting violent illegal immigrants would lower taxes,” said John Castro, a senior business major. “If it could lower police activity, then get rid of the troublemakers.”

Virgil Moorehead, a counseling graduate in the marriage, family and child program, said, “The illegal immigrants blew their chances by committing a crime.”

Some students expressed mixed feelings about the immigration issue.

Saira Abidi, a senior biology major, said while she knows of some illegal immigrants who work hard to make a good living, she does support deporting illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes.

“If they’re here committing crimes and are illegal, then they should be deported,” said Summer Benton, a graduate music major. “But there are some people who have good reasons to come to America illegally.”

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]