Hilda Gonzalez emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and lives in Bath. Luis Vera is a Reading, Pa., resident and a native of Ecuador. His son, Diego Vera, grew up in Pennsylvania and attends Reading Area Community College.

They each have different stories, but all of them arrived at U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent’soffice in South Whitehall Township today with the same message: Immigration reform now.

The trio was among a dozen people who rallied outside the office, singing "Cielito Lindo" and displaying handmade signs that read "Keep Our Families Together," "Immigration Reform: A Path to Citizenship Now!"

Inside the office, seven members of the group sat down with Dent’s district director, Vincent O’Domski, to explain why they are passionate about comprehensive immigration reform and why GOP leadership in the House must stop blocking a vote on the matter.

Gonzalez said the nation’s existing immigration laws rip families apart and leave undocumented workers vulnerable to unscrupulous employers. She noted that Dent recently announced that he supports same-sex marriage and ought to raise his voice for the Lehigh Valley’s immigrant families, as well.

"We are also human beings," Luis Vera said.

Dent, a Republican who represents the 15th Congressional District, was not in the office today, but released a statement through his communications director.

"I appreciate hearing the concerns of those who want to see reforms to our broken immigration system. I agree that changes are necessary. However, those who want to see reform need to realize that change is going to come in small, reasonable steps," Dent said.

"People should expect that neither side is going to get exactly what they want out of whatever shape reform takes. I continue to personally support reforms that will enhance border security, provide for a reliable worker verification program and deal with the circumstances of young people who were brought to America as small children because of their parents."

Gonzalez said she believes that Dent is sincere and should demonstrate his concern by taking up the cause of undocumented immigrants and urging others in his party to do likewise.

While Congress drags its feet on immigration reform, parents are being deported, leaving their children behind for others to raise, workers fearful of losing their jobs are laboring in dangerous conditions and gifted students are skipping college because they aren’t citizens, Gonzalez and the Veras said.

Originally from Nicaragua, Concepcion Rojas now lives in Allentown and, for a time, worked at a chocolate plant. She is a documented worker, but because her former employer assumed otherwise, Rojas initially was paid under the table, earning less than her colleagues, sexually harassed and fired after suffering an injury at work.

Eventually, Rojas filed a complaint with the state. When a friend who still worked at the chocolate plant followed suit he was fired over it and had no recourse because of his undocumented status, she said.

What happened to her and her friend is commonplace, Rojas said, and it isn’t right. "We are in the United States. All of the people have civil rights," she said.

Gonzalez said most undocumented immigrants are hard-working people who come to this country in search of opportunity for themselves and their loved ones. Immigration reform would improve the nation’s economy and bolster its tax rolls, she said. If Republicans get on board with the process, it could give them a better shot at reclaiming the White House in 2016, Luis Vera said.

Pat Uribe-Lichty, a Laureldale, Pa., and a resident and representative of Pennsylvania’s Unitarian Universalist Association, agreed, saying immigration reform is about providing everyone with fundamental human rights.

As a former teacher and social worker, Uribe-Lichty said she’s seen the detrimental effect our current laws have on immigrants, particularly those who were brought to the U.S. as children. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was a step in the right direction, "but we’re looking for more," she said.

Contact Lehigh County suburbs reporter Precious Petty at 484-894-3854 orppetty@express-times.com.