Cyndi Loza

Emotions raged as opponents and supporters of immigration reform debated at a Navy Pier forum Thursday, held moments after the U.S. Senate squashed an immigration bill. The immigration bill, which would have legalized millions of undocumented immigrants, fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed.

“The bill died and … I’m thrilled,” Rosanna Pulido, founder and director of the Illinois Minuteman Project, said after the forum. “I couldn’t be more encouraged because the American people have spoken.”

Other panelists were disheartened with the Senate’s rejection of the bill.

“It’s been a bad day,” said Juan Salgado, executive director of Instituto del Progreso Latino.

Moderated by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Esther J. Cepeda, the hourlong forum brought together six representatives from different organizations to discuss reform. To some panelists, illegal immigrants are law-abiding , tax-paying workers; to others, like Pulido, they are people “that broke into this country and are stealing American jobs.” She was booed by most of the audience of 150 people.

Billy Lawless, chairman of the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform, reminded the group of signs posted in the 1800s that read, “No dogs or Irish welcome” and “No Irish need apply.”

“We think we are sophisticated and educated today — we are no different than we were 150 years ago,” he said.

His comments, greeted with applause, were echoed by another Irish immigrant. “I’m very proud to stand by my Mexican brothers and sisters,” said Shaun Harkin, 34, of Little Village. “I think it’s important for all immigrants to stand together.”

Asked by Cepeda what individuals can do to “influence how we’re going to get along with each other in communities,” Ngoan Le of Chicago Community Trust said, “You need to … get to know an immigrant and understand why people want to be Americans.”