GEORGETOWN, Del.- Bi-partisan immigration reform in Washington could open the path to citizenship for immigrants across the country, including right here on Delmarva.
Georgetown is the home of a large Latin-American community in Sussex County. It is a community that continues to grow. However, as more people come in, the tougher it is to find work.
"What we have to do is continue to stay here and work hard. Any kind of job is coming, we have to do it," said Jose Azul of Georgetown.
Azul is living in Georgetown to earn and living in order to feed his family in Guatemala. His struggles are similar to the ones faced by Latin- Americans every day in Sussex County, particularly for those who are undocumented. But, this new immigration reform could open the door to U.S. citizenship that many have been waiting for.
"We're very happy about the recent news, for the bi-partisan support, both Democrats and Republicans coming to the table to talk about immigration reform," said Claudia Pena Porretti, the executive director of La Esperanza in Georgetown.
La Esperanza is an organization in Georgetown that provides support for the Latin American immigrants that settle in Sussex County. Officials there say this reform could lead to well paying, documented jobs for those in need. Currently, the about 90 percent of the immigrants that receive assistance at La Esperanza are undocumented. However, not everyone is behind this new immigration plan.
Christine Brittingham of Georgetown believes granting citizenship to more immigrants would only hurt Americans already living here.
"We have a hard enough time finding jobs for the people who already live here and times are getting harder and harder and tougher and tougher and people just don't have enough jobs and money over here to live as it is," Brittingham said.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to address the nation on this immigration reform plan on Tuesday and it will be a speech that captures the attention of thousands in Sussex County.
