Gutierrez White House immigration protest; expects arrest

WASHINGTON — In the wake of a new Arizona law aimed at illegal immigrants, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) on Saturday is going to join demonstrators at the White House who will likely be arrested for their protests.

He expects to be booked and released. Gutierrez will be a guest on “Face The Nation” on CBS this Sunday morning

Gutierrez — arrested twice in 2001 protesting the Navy’s use of the Puerton Rican island of Vieques for bombing practice — will take part in civil disobedience “to keep the pressure up on President Obama and the leaders of the Democratic party,” said Gutierrez spokesman Doug Rivlin.

Gutierrez has been outspoken in his criticism of the White House for not moving faster on a comprehensive immigration bill. “When you don’t keep the pressure on and you sort of lose hope that we are going to have a bill this year, things like Arizona happen, and you are reminded why we need to keep moving forward,” Rivlin said.

Last Sunday, Gutierrez was in Phoenix at a rally objecting to the new law that would allow police, in certain circumstances, to ask people for papers showing they are in the U.S. legally.