The immigration reform bill has already passed with bipartisan support in the Senate, and those who gathered Sunday hope the same happens in the House of Representatives.
The mayor of Durham, a North Carolina lawmaker, and two U.S. congressmen from North Carolina were among those in the crowd all in support of immigration reform. Also among them was a 24-year-old man who faces deportation without their help.
"I have about 3 weeks left," said Francisco Hernandez.
Hernandez has less than a month to try to stay in the U.S., and he is facing being deported to Mexico, a country he has barely any ties to.
"My family is here, I barely have any memories of my childhood in Mexico, and I don't have much family there anymore," said Hernandez.
Hernandez is scheduled to be deported October 9 and is running out of time to file the paperwork needed to stay. He attended the immigration reform event with hope that he would attract the attention of not only local leaders but also Congressmen G.K. Butterfield and David Price.
"Without them supporting me, I might not have a chance to keep up with my dream," said Hernandez.
Hernandez who has been here since 8th grade and now wants to go to law school hopes help comes in time to keep him with his family.
He was able to talk to Congressmen Butterfield and Price and told ABC11 they both promised him they would look into his case.
"[This bill] means creating legal avenues for workers to enter this country and contribute to this economy," Price told the crowd.
"Now it's time for the House of Representatives to vote on the same bill granting full citizenship and comprehensive immigration," said Butterfield.
The immigration reform bill will soon be in the hands of the U.S. House of Representatives and could affect the lives of more than 11-million undocumented people in the U.S.
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