Immigrants Rights Groups Plan to March May 1

Immigrants rights activists in San Diego will take to the street this May 1st to ask the President to reform the nation's immigration laws. The coalition announced plans for the march Sunday, which is the fourth march in as many years. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

David Schmidt with the May 1st coalition says there are four goals: ensuring undocumented immigrants have equal access to education and stopping immigration detentions, deportations and raids.

He says May 1st is also about heeding President Obama's statement that change doesn't only come from the federal government.

"President Obama said that he's going to need every person in this country working with him for that change. And May 1st is a big part of that. It is ordinary women and men coming together and really saying we are here to work with you for a change in our immigration policy," says Schmidt.

Omaba's Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, said recently there will be a shift to focus on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Though, she said, workplace raids would not end.

She also announced new rules will be issued soon for immigration agents who work in communities away from the border.

Amy Isackson, KPBS news.