Migrant workers aim to demonstrate their financial impact

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The strike is calling for immigrants not to go to work, buy gas or purchase goods in order to demonstrate the potential economic impacts of not having an immigrant work force in the state.

"Imagine if that money is gone," Delgado said. "They buy their food here, they buy their homes here, they buy their cars here. We're not asking for handouts, if we don't earn it, we don't want it."

Groups like the United Latino Immigrants of Florida, an Arcadia-based group, spearheaded the strike in response to the ongoing political debate for immigration reform. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on an immigration bill this week.

A bill was introduced by the Senate's Judiciary Committee on Monday that would create a guest-worker program to enable 400,000 foreign workers to work in low-skill jobs for up to six years.

The Senate bill being debated comes on the heels of House Bill 4437, a bill that passed in December that called for stricter measures, such as the creation of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"They're confusing national security with immigration reform," Delgado said of HR 4437. "If you want to address national security, look back at 9/11. The terrorists either came in here from Canada or they came in legally."

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Groups like the Coalition of Immokolee Workers and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform, a national activist group formed in the 1970s, have joined the efforts. Still Delgado said he will continue doing his part hitting the radio airwaves, and traveling from business to business to gather more support.

"There isn't any turning around," Delgado said. "People are relying on us. It's our turn to step forward."

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