news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Young immigrants marched with signs and a drum corps to the Greensboro IRS office to make it loud and clear that they oppose the federal government policy they say deports undocumented immigrants while simultaneously taxing them.

Nearly 40 marchers, some wearing graduation caps from their N.C. high schools, said the government deports undocumented immigrants while demanding that they pay income tax using IRS-issued Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs).

"We want to say no to the tax and deport federal policy, which is what’s happening right now," said march organizer Viridiana Martinez, holding her tax ID number card in her hand. "It’s like 'OK. We need you to come work. But when we’re done with you, we’re deporting you.'"

Since 1996, the IRS has issued over 11 million tax ID numbers, most of which have gone to undocumented immigrants, the N.C. Dream Team said. This group of documented and undocumented former and current N.C. students support the passing of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors (Dream) Act.

The proposed federal legislation would give those who came to this country as the children of undocumented workers a chance at citizenship and education options.

The protesters are upset that Sen. Kay Hagan hasn’t shown support for the Dream Act, said Martinez, co-founder of the N.C. Dream Team.

Martinez said Hagan told some of the group members that she vowed to "protect taxpayers," but later said she meant "legal taxpayers," as to exclude undocumented immigrants.

Because of that logic, the 24-year-old who grew up in Sanford after her family moved from Monterrey, Mexico, called the IRS the "Illegal Revenue Service." The group insists that they are "legal" taxpayers who give to the system and want elected representatives to defend all of their constituents.

"This is going to help any area of immigrants' rights because one of the biggest misconceptions is that we don't pay taxes. And the media loves that for some odd reason. 'They don't pay taxes. They're draining our system,'" Martinez recalled some critics' remarks. "Blah blah blah. No, we're not."

The "No Taxation, Without Representation" march began at the Beloved Community Center, 417 Arlington St., and finished close by at the IRS taxpayer assistance center, 320 Federal Place.  

The N.C. Dream Team and Farm Labor Organizing Committee representatives marched behind the Cackalack Thunder drum corps and the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation.  

Some marchers carried white sheets with written messages, such as "I Pay For Kay Hagan's Salary" and "Am I still undocumented if the IRS gave me a Tax-Payer ID Number?"