Rallies across the U.S. against 'Deporter in Chief' Obama

PHOENIX (AP) — Immigration advocates and supporters rallied Saturday in cities across the U.S. in a renewed effort to push President Barack Obama to put a freeze on deportations.

In Eloy, Arizona, more than 100 supporters converged in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center after journeying more than 60 miles (100 kilometers)from Phoenix.

Natally Cruz, an organizer with the grassroots group Puente Arizona, said many of the people in attendance have relatives who have been inside the facility for more than a year.

"We want President Obama and his administration to really hear our community members across the country, to understand we do not want one more person separated," said Cruz, who entered the U.S. at age 8 illegally with her parents. "One family every night goes to bed missing somebody in their family."

Many walked with signs saying "Not 1 More Deportation" and calling for deferred deportation action for all. The group included a woman whose son has been in the Eloy Detention Center for nearly three years and a woman who was arrested at her workplace and detained for two months, the group said.