
Bob Miller/for NBC News
Isela Meraz and Fernando Lopez lead a group of undocumented Hispanics in protest against anti-immigration laws during a briefing on the civil rights effects of state immigration law held by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Birmingham, Ala.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Protesters opposed to strict state-level immigration laws confronted one of the key writers of such legislation as he testified at a U.S. Department of Justice civil rights hearing here on Friday.
Holding up small banners with the words "undocumented" on them, four self-proclaimed undocumented immigrants stood up one at a time to denounce the laws, interrupting the testimony being given by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who helped author the measures in Alabama and Arizona.
Kobach, who advised those states before being elected to statewide office in Kansas, and others were invited to speak about the impact of such laws by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent commission of the federal government.
But the session was interrupted by protests.
"I have received a lot of discrimination. I am Maria Huerta, undocumented and without fear. I have no fear! You have to respect our rights. They are civil rights," the 65-year-old woman, originally from Mexico, cried out just before throwing the hearing agenda on the floor. "I leave it there. Keep it. You don't know how to respect human suffering."
Huerta is among a group of undocumented immigrants traveling across the country in a caravan to highlight their situation and those of others still living in the shadows. Before landing in Alabama, the ragtag caravan made stops in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Their ultimate goal is the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., where they intend to press their concerns.
Moments before Huerta spoke, another group of five women stood up and turned their backs on the commission as Kobach began his testimony. They wore shirts that spelled out "stop hate."

Bob Miller / for NBC News
Secretary of State Kris Kobach of Kansas addresses the commission during a briefing on civil rights effects of state immigration laws held by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Birmingham, Alabama on August 17, 2012.
Emotions ran high later when protesters called Kobach, a "liar," with Mayra Rangle, 32, telling commissioners: "It's a shame you invited him and him," as she pointed to those invited to speak.
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After the hearing, Kobach said the protesters had the right to voice their opinions, but the interruptions were disrespectful.
"It's inherently rude and it disrespects the American process of deliberation and careful policy making," he said. "It's really unfortunate when one side in a debate results to personal insults instead of bringing information and making a coherent point."
When asked why he didn't respond to them when challenged, he said: "I was there to respond to the panel not the protesters."
During the protest, the civil rights commissioners argued about the presence of the demonstrators, with Commissioner Todd Gaziano, a Heritage Foundation fellow, denouncing the lack of security and Commissioner Michael Yaki, of Michael Yaki Consulting, noting the demonstrators were acting in the form of non-violent protest.

Bob Miller/for NBC News
Civil Rights commissioner Michael Yaki addresses a crowd of mostly undocumented immigrants in downtown Birmingham, Ala.
Gerardo Torres, 41, a Mexican who lives in Phoenix, said after the hearing that those who wrote the immigration laws were out of touch.
"I don't think they have ever been in contact with regular people," he said. "At the end of the day, I think they just go back to their gated community. ... They are not in touch with reality."

Bob Miller / for NBC News
Mayra Rangel, 32, from Blout County, Alabama, protests during a briefing on the effects of state immigration laws.
NBC News' Natalia Jimenez contributed to this report.
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I wonder if Jose Mangandi was immediately processed and deported?
Couldn't someone there make a citizen's arrest once she said "I am Maria Huerta, undocumented"
By her saying that she flat out said i'm breaking the law. Throw that scumbag and the other ones with her in jail for the night and ship them back where they came from the next day.
They (Barry & his cohorts) are going to have to tread very lightly in this area because you are exactly right ... however, within the healthcare fraud scam, Barry has made provisions - both financial and structural - for his Civilian Security Force and they will be encouraged to act on the citizen arrest laws you speak of so they will not be able to go in and completely do away with them.
I expect to see some reworking of the guidelines so his state run goons can carry out his mission while preventing Americans from roadblocking his mission ... we shall see.
It's a cost benefit issue. It's simply not worth spending our tax dollars on harmless people like these. Most people would prefer that law enforcement deal with the people that are violent or dangerous than people like this, who are not causing any trouble.
these illegal persons are spit into our laws of the land with backing from Obama administration...!!!!
their more lets talk what did signed well in 1987 1988 dea and other areas of u.s. department of justice with special agent foloey DEA san francisco ex police officer sfpd and san francisco sheriff department , officer bruno, Female hispanic and other areas , arellano felix family jalisco cartel tijuana .. that was the 1980s and 2000 march april 2000s ins court too, u.s. attorney galleger. u.s. ins judge stockton, u.s. ins judge keener, Boarder patrol officers , and INS agents sworn took the oath affirm to to fight the war against drugs cartels ,crime corruption terrorist terroism etc all. FBI special agent Robert laski and DEa special Agent Foley and san francisco law enforcement state agents CIA . etc all CDC officer mirial martin . etc all even U.N.C.A.T. against jalisco cartel , tijuana ..arellano felix cartel and faimlies mafias associations affiliations etc to other cartel i signed documents as witnes enformants informants and agent documents ..thatwas not counting 1983 eugine qinter from san juaqin county stockton california 3345 pocklane rd. and sinaloa mexico. AKA caro quintero duran or carlos quintero duran,, . i lived their in that address to like luis arellano felix family too at 1549 15th street , in san francisco california . wel thats not the issues that am talking wel i enter the u.s. in 1978 i went to scholl in 1978 1st 2nd grade u.s. raised.. in san francisco i was 7 years old 8 years old . i di not get off los ageles international airport area . i stood in internatinal area to transfer to taca airlines .. to enter san francisco port of entrence through san francisco international port area to u.s. soil airport..reality well thats ins and i got arested again in may 14th by ins and release to san francisco california . ins may 31st then deported to san francisco california , the republic nation and country and san francisco california city county and state of california united states of america in 08-06-2009 when ins judge murry. gave an order to expedite my release from ins .08-03-2012 they waited until monday 08062012 to release me from ins. as a u.n. c.a.t. then they try to ca;ll me a gang member . when i been a victim and cdc drop of of certain u.s. organizations .. northern drop out who i debriefed, NXIVN u.s.raised norhern sociaty northern xiv noth or north xiv norte.debriefed debrif.relaity they place me on a order of suprvision i conplaint to my attorney melissa k martinelli 415-562-4914 and lawyers committed for civil right san francisco bay area lisa knox 543 9944 i have wrot dhs com[plaint even department of justice to ice complaint to cia complaint form to every thing. reality when my son is 26 years old his mom is from 18 street west side gang los ageles south 13 sur 13 gang and the mother of my twins 11 ears old is from north northern xiv iv 4 northern northern sous or south sur 13 gangs mara gangs mara salvatruchu gangs black organization , and african america organization associated affiliated ,memberships ets gang mafia etc all . and they try to brand me a gangmember when my history in california department of correctin cDC no d67725 and youth authority . no m4110 to ins number A03609657. tells it all their in the documents that i signed that i have risk my life and continue to risk my life adn they threaten me to keep me for ev4er in custody and sexualy assulted to be murder to assulted to even my daughters to sons by DHS ICE INS secret agents enformants informants .. is crazy but is reality .. is not a joke for what is corruption i even wrote to eric holder and robert muller the dea in san francisco washinghton dc dhs director and secretary to all in sensitive ares even u.s. attorney u.s. doj shane in san francisco even department of correction mirial martin was their in 2000 march april hearin even may june july. /i even purchase meth chrystal meth for a pound oz and use to smoke canabis to sales to purchaseing in direct orders of the FBI DEA CIA DHS HS to all us government areas investigation..to associate with gangs to affiliate even memberships to traficking to all factors even weapons transportation even murders every thing in 08062012 i went to dea fbi cia u.s. department 0f justice i debriefd all few weaks i have been out to this date ..about my life . so you all tell me what is dhs a corrupt homeland security and department as well reality.. and am broke they did not fix my credict nothing my mom pay for my attorneys and my dad no one help me or my childrens am broke receiveing social security living beyound poverty to other factors.. were the crime organization spiece my food and punk me with a a rattler and synsiliser the start exist a spy host under 50 u.s.ca. 50 u.s.c.s. reality so what is secret visa or s visa a u.n.c.a.t. and gangs trying to murder me and economicaly ruin me and they have done a good juob so thats my story who is going to help pluss i been going to school and no one want to give me a job..college education in contra costa college . san francisco bay area state of californai richmond 94806 so were is civil rights reality m am NORTHERN XIV NORTH XIV NORTE.. U.S. Raise ....................................
You can't even speak English! You make NO SENSE. Go HOME and speak your native language!
Go home Jose please and take your relatives with you!
José,
Get a clue. I give you credit for your rather rambling dissertation. At least you tried. However, illegal aliens are illegal aliens. They are not undocumented immigrants. Let's not play a word game with this. They are illegal aliens. There is no civilized country in the world, including Mexico, that has open borders. Not one. Do you remember what happened to the three Americans that accidentally trespassed into Iran. Deportation would have been a blessing. Do you know why Americans who live in Mexico are not allowed to purchase property? Is this discrimination by Mexicans against Americans or are Mexican citizens trying to keep their country Mexican. Is this any different than Americans trying to keep America American for all legal citizens. If the United States adopted and enforced laws similar to the immigration laws of Mexico you would really be screaming and so would the other 15 million that would be deported instantly. Have a nice day. And if you use Microsoft Word try the F7 key.
Once Odumbo made it okay for illegals under 31 yrs to become legal, it was only time before the rest of the carpenter ants would demand it.
Keep your eye on Jan Brewer of AZ. She has the right idea. She is not buying into this garbage.
First of all, the President cannot change the law...that is Congress' job....ergo, she, AZ and any other state are not compelled to go by this new E. O. of Zero's...because it changes the established codified law of the United States! Let's hit that lawsuit button, Holder. You will have to sue each state that refuses to bow to the E. O. of Zero and tell the Courts that you want to sue a state because they want to not abide by an illegal infraction of our laws! Love it!
Citizens: Listen up ~ don't abide by the rantings of these illegals..don't hire them...don't put them on my tax payer paid for entitlement programs. If Congress wants to re write the Immigration Law and submit it accordingly, do it.
illegal is illegal, no matter how you look at it!
PEOPLE,PEOPLE,PEOPLE, Don't you understand???? O BUM MA needs votes and the more illegal and illiterate people he can fool, the better his chances to be elected to a second term of unconstitutionality,division and poverty
most countries have some form of "legal immigration". the liberal left sold out the rule of law to keep themselves in office. greedy Americans of all stripes look the other way and sold out their country for a quick buck. I have "no problem" with someone coming to this country to make a better life, but it should be done legally.to me they are just all line jumpers. try jumping a movie line in New York City on a friday night and dollars to donuts you will end up with a knuckle sandwich.
these people would not be able to create this "saul alinski" in your face protest in China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, just to name a few. if Americans Citizens tried to sneak into Mexico illegally and then demanded "special rights" they would be jailed and their families would have to send Mexico money so they would have food in jail or starve to death. when prison sentence was completed the Gringo would be kicked out of the country.
Americans are so ignorant and stupid when it comes to how other countries laws are. these illegal immigrants protesting are more than likely props of the socialist/commie/progressive cabal that want to bring this country down. how many of these dopes really ever went to the backwoods of Russia or China to see the effects of communism first hand....I did on a Kawasaki 650 KLR. it ain't to pretty. only problem is that 6 billion people on the planet can not all live in the USA.
if the large corporations didnt want cheaper labor they wouldnt have gotten the republicans to open the borders under Bush. most of these people can under bushs watch and he never even kicked anyone out. they broke the labor unions and dropped the wage earners down into a hole they wont get out of for a long time. well done big business
Senior Obama is catering to the Latin American vote in an election year. What else is new for a politician. Ronald Reagan did something very similar prior to the election of his second term. Do you remember the Reagan amnesty control act of 1986 which was initiated in 84/85? And I, like many others in this country, am tired, very very very tired, of people illegally in this country trampling on our laws now with flippant attitudes towards the very legislatures that we have elected. They are trampling on my rights as an American citizen. This just pisses me off to no end. What would have sent a proper message would be to have rounded up each and every one of them protesting in this legislative body and deport them immediately in addition to rounding up those on a bus tour with the same remedy. Try to do that in Mexico City.
The silent majority have just about had enough of this BS and when it erupts it's not going to be pretty. This liberal agenda is going to see what it feels like when people are fed up and start pushing back.
No voter ID = illegals voting for Obama
Obama supports anarchy. Obama doesn't like the constitution of the United States! Obama was the organizer for a domestic terrorist. Now Obama is a domestic terrorist. The United States has laws. The Justice Department must enforce those laws. Congress can change those laws. Presidents who violate those laws MUST BE IMPEACHED!
I know it's too late but I guess impeachment would have been a good remedy for George W. Bush. What you think about Dick Cheney outing a CIA agent. Good guy? You remember weapons of mass destruction WMD'S. Was this not a blatant lie to the American people. I'm sure glad that you also believe impeachment is proper and I'm sure that you would want to have seen George W. Bush's head on a stick. Just look what he cost this nation in terms of lives and money. We both see eye to eye impeachment I guess. As you say, "presidents who violate those laws must be impeached".
Illegal is illegal unless you are Obama or one of his operatives ... there is absolutely no question whether or not he is a terrorist and he is up to at least 4 charges of treason already.
I can't wait until Romney wins so the CIA can have a full run on him and his band of domestic and foreign terrorist cohorts and hopefully his traitorous supporters as well.
What an embarrassment for law enforcement, Border Protection, Ice, etc.
Undocumented, A.K.A. Illegal Immigrants can just walk into a meeting with a Secretary of State and other Federal Officials and they didn't even check there Identification?
What if an Al Queeda operative had gotten into the room and set off a bomb? How many "Undocumented" immigrants are actually terrorist operatives?
The fact that they are running touring in a bus from State to State, proudly pronouncing they are Illegal Immigrants, and they aren't afraid of our legal system, is just absolutely appalling.
Department of Homeland Security you are a frigging joke. More like Department of Insecurity.
I guess your too busy having parties and sexually harassing your workers to do your frigging job.
This article is infuriating, to say the least.
If things are so bad here in the USA then go back to the country you came from easy enough.
AND.....if you believe in Voter ID....contact your state's attorney general and suggest using the court's ruling in PA as a precedent to pass a voter Id in your state. We have to get with the program if we are going to maintain our wonderful country and not let the current administration rule by fiat nor allow the lamestream media to decide what will be told to the sheeple.
"Undocumented" my ass! What IS IT about the term "ILLEGAL" you don't understand?! If you don't like "hiding", then, by all means, GO HOME! We don't need you siphoning off far more than you contribute. ...bunch of arrogant, and apparently stupid fools!
Man-- these people have one hell of a nerve. President Obama opened the door to this. He's driving this bus-- pun intended. He is a disgrace. They are a disgrace. Why weren't these people arrested on the spot?
Why no arrests? Because president Choom wants their votes, too!
There is no room for hatred of those struggling to improve their lives.
I do not understand why Republican Party, who claims to be the protectors of freedom and rights, have taken to using fear and hatred of those not like them. I wish we, as a country, could be more united rather divided. This hatred used by Republicans for drumming up support is tearing America apart.
I agree - but struggle in YOUR OWN country. Don't come here and make a wreck of this one like you have in YOUR country!
You are missing the purpose of this poem. Isolationism is not the answer. Throwing up walls has proven to mark the end of a society not the beginning.
I am not against them as a people. I am against them being here illegally. Before you "supporters" of this group start to lash out at me, let me enlighten/educate you on the current impact illegal immigrants have on our community. They claim to want a better life yet refuse to take the proper steps to gain citizenship. They do not pay taxes. They expect free medical care. They expect to receive all government handouts. They expect their children to get an education BUT want us to change our teachings to accomodate the language barrier. They have no respect for our laws. They drive on our roads uninsured. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture by now (atleast, I hope you do). We are living in a time when the economy is at an all time low and unemployment at an all time high. We pay our taxes. We try to make a an honest living. Most of us can barely make ends meet but we give it our best. We live by the laws. As an American, born and raised, I do not support illegal immigration nor any group or entity that wishes to give them rights. I worked all my life to have what little that I do and I did it legally. No! I refuse to have respect for a group of people who refuse to help them selves to a better way of life by follow the correct steps and obtain citizinship in a legal manner. This group appears to want to keep kicking and screaming in hopes that our government will cave in and grant them rights to everything without being held accountable to that of which we Americans do. Do the right thing to stay here legally or just leave. Enough of this rhetoric bull and shame on all those who would rather put our own families well being aside to support such useless and senseless groups like this.
Arrest all undocumented immigrants and incarcerate them. They are breaking our laws. In many other countries -- like Mexico -- if you are there illegally, YOU GO TO JAIL.
BobLee- Calling our President Odumbo, just shows your disrespect.
Why is this a crisis to you now? The Obama Adm has deported more illegals than the Bush Adm, hey we had 8years for some immigration reform.
Quit blaming the President for a problem that has been going on for many decades!
Do you think that 11 or 12 million people came over in the last 4 years?
We were all immigrants at one time.
The faux noise fear and hate is deep in many on this vine, what job has an illegal taken from you? Housekeeping, mowing lawns, day laborer?.
We give Billions to oil Co and energy Co, Corporate welfare, and congress does nothing!
what job has an illegal taken from you? Housekeeping, mowing lawns, day laborer?.
No those are all jobs that I and many other kids did in high school and those jobs are NOT available anymore. I live in southern AZ so I have seen the problems they cause here daily. I also see their land scaping businesses-and trust me Mexicans don't hire anybody but other Mexicans.