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Tired of being viewed as an "expendable voting population," some Latinos in Colorado are pressuring President Barack Obama to push for meaningful action on immigration reform and the DREAM Act.

Chicano activist and decades-long north Denver resident Ricardo Martinez walked precincts for Obama in 2008, but at the dawn of another presidential election cycle, he said he is tired of "empty promises."

"When the elections come around, they always come courting us, and this is proving to be no different," said Martinez, who co-founded the nonprofit advocacy group Padres Unidos. "Did Obama put as much effort in the time to pass the DREAM Act? I didn't see him. Was he out there, twisting arms? I didn't see that. Was he out there stomping around? I didn't see that. All we see is that we're an expendable voting population."

A recent campaign e-mail shows a smiling Obama saying, "I want to sign the DREAM Act into law, but I need your help to do the hard work of changing minds and changing votes, one at a time."

The ad then asks for a campaign contribution.

The e-mail so infuriated the small but growing voting bloc that Latinos are holding rallies in a couple of weeks in front of Democratic headquarters across the country — including Denver.

Latino youth groups will also send a letter to Obama for America, asking the campaign to take the ad down.

"He shouldn't be using the suffering and pain of people who are at risk for deportation for fundraising for his campaign," said Leidy Robledo, 20, a youth organizer for Jovenes Unidos. "He says he supports the DREAM Act, but he didn't do enough. There were key votes within his party that if they would have voted yes, the DREAM Act could have passed."

Obama for America spokeswoman Ofelia Casillas said the president "has been a longtime supporter of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. Many Obama for America supporters are organizing in their communities to promote these initiatives." READ MORE