Immigration coalition founder discusses diversity, elections

He is also the head of SEIU’s Capital Area District, a union serving 8,000 members in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. He came to the United States in 1988 as an undocumented immigrant, and is now a U.S. citizen.

You have an interesting background.

I was born in El Salvador and came to the United States ... in 1988. I became involved in the labor movement when I was 17, working as a janitor in an office building here in Washington.

It was there that I discovered the injustices faced by janitors and other workers — poor wages with few, if any, benefits, unjust treatment and little hope for change. In 1992, I helped organize my co-workers in a fight for union representation. I joined the Navy in 1994, and I returned in 1997.

How did the immigration movement hit the mainstream this year?

Immigrants have been attacked for the last five years and used as scapegoats. We decided enough is enough. Immigrant workers want true leaders from either party who will ensure their hard work is valued and rewarded.

Have you been able to assess the movement’s impact Tuesday?

The immigrant community came out in bigger numbers than they ever have. Our vote is our voice. We organized to maximize not only for ‘06, but through the long term. We’ll see the biggest difference in ‘08.

Do you fear a backlash?

No, we’ll continue to fight for the American dream and for the American way of life: work hard, pay taxes and follow the law.

We’re focused. We’re passionate about issues that impact on our lives, our families and the communities in which we live and work.

Now the Democrats have taken Congress, what will happen with immigration legislation?

We will redouble our efforts to get legislation passed that brings our immigration policy into line with today’s economic realties and protects all workers.

Scott McCabe