The fight for immigration reform continues and activists expect the presidential candidates to take note.

The Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, along with other immigrant rights groups, organized a rally and march at the capitol May 1.

Hundreds of people of different ethnic backgrounds marched the streets of Austin toward Austin City Hall calling on Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials to leave the Travis County jail. Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton allowed federal immigration agents to establish an office at the jail in early 2008, which resulted in sharp criticism from immigrant and Latino rights groups.

Madelein Santibanez, a 17-year-old Austinite, participated in the march and shared her thoughts on the issue in my latest video. Both her parents have been deported — her mother just one year ago and her father five years ago. Her sister, who was attending the University of Texas at the time, was forced to take Madelein and her two brothers in.

Republicans and Democrats have promised reform, but what it will entail is to be debated once a new president takes office in 2009. Comprehensive immigration reform failed in the Senate last year and activist groups on both sides continue to debate if borders should be closed or if undocumented immigrants should get a path to citizenship.