Immigration protesters agree: System needs fixing

MURRIETA, Calif. — Amid raucous clashes that have disrupted the Border Patrol’s ability to process a wave of young Central American detainees and reignited the national debate over illegal immigration, protesters on both sides here Friday found some common ground: agreement that the U.S policy is in need of retooling.

Hundreds of people gathered on the road to the federal processing facility, just as they had Tuesday, anticipating another convoy of vehicles containing i mmigrants who had crossed the border in Texas. But by late afternoon, there had been no repeat of the demonstration that blocked three busloads of immigrants, mostly women and children, from making it to the Border Patrol station.

Amplified by bullhorns and spelled out with handlettered signs, the sentiments of many pro- and anti-immigration activists who turned out Friday heaped blame on the federal government.

Salvador Chavez of Los Angeles — standing with immigration supporters on one side of Madison Avenue — said the dysfunctional way the U.S. deals with those in the county illegally was the overarching issue.

Local resident William Isaacs, aligned with antiimmigration demonstrators on the other side of the road, said the system was “broken.”

The number of protesters swelled Friday, undaunted by the summer heat, the July Fourth holiday and a police strategy that mostly kept the groups apart and away from the processing center.

In a reversal from earlier in the week, there were substantially more demonstrators on the pro-immigration side.

Authorities kept the road to the processing center clear and the protesters in check, though scuffles did break out. Murrieta police arrested five people for obstructing officers during an afternoon altercation.

The group protesting sending the immigrants to California waved American flags and chanted “U.S.A,” while across the street demonstrators responded with “shame on you!”

Obama hails immigrants

WASHINGTON — At a precarious moment for his immigration policy, President Barack Obama took part in a naturalization ceremony Friday at the White House for 16 members of the armed forces, two veterans and seven military spouses, saying he will take action so “hardworking” immigrants who come to the United States can “join the American family.”

Tuesday’s blockade was a rowdy affair in which more than 100 flag-waving people stood in front of police cars and federal vehicles to prevent the det ainees f rom getting through.

Some Murrieta residents expressed fear for their safety if the immigrants were released into the community, a city of 105,000 southeast of Los Angeles.

Tribune Newspapers’ Julie Cart in Los Angeles contributed.