Texas immigrants rally to keep families intact

HOUSTON (AP) — Hundreds of immigrants and their supporters marched through a Mexican-American neighborhood on Saturday calling for lawmakers to create a far-reaching immigration policy that allows undocumented workers to keep their families intact.

About 300 to 400 participants beat drums, blew whistles and carried signs and banners, along with U.S. and Mexican flags. One sign read "Today we march, tomorrow we vote."

Five-year-old Grace Bandercan had a more personal message on her sign: "Mommy and I are Americans, but please don't deport Daddy."

Grace's father, Hugo Bandercan, is an immigrant construction worker who pays his taxes and is trying to obtain resident status. Her mother, Elizabeth, is a school teacher who said the family lives in constant fear of Hugo's deportation, citing the burdensome and lengthy process of gaining permanent status.

"They need to remember the human side of things," said Elizabeth Bandercan, referring to immigration enforcement officials. "We just want to live as a family."

A dozen Houston police officers on horseback and less than 50 others on foot stood between a group of about 20 counter-protesters and the rally to keep order.