Illegal immigration debate boils over in 2005

By: WILLIAM FINN BENNETT - Staff Writer | Saturday, December 31, 2005 9:02 PM PST ∞

Protestors rally against people who hire day laborers on Butterfield Stage Road.
David Carlson
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It all depends on which side of the fence one calls his own. When it comes to the debate over illegal immigration, 2005 was either a banner year that raised awareness of a major problem facing the state and nation, or a series of blows to the human rights of illegal immigrants and Latinos in America.

There were riot cops in a quiet Carlsbad neighborhood. People who journeyed from all over the country to camp in the mountains in east San Diego County to spot border crossers or rally in defense of human rights. There were shouting matches and accusations of assault as protesters and counter-protesters clashed in the sweltering heat.

Escondido residents stood up in favor of or against a police force to patrol the border and conduct inland sweeps in search of suspected illegal immigrants. Protesters in Fallbrook screamed that local banks were allowing illegal immigrants to open bank accounts as counter-protesters with Mexican flags hurled back accusations that the protesters were racists.

In the debate over illegal immigration in North County, the middle ground was shrinking fast in 2005, a year when tempers exploded and each side pushed for change.

For San Diego human rights advocate Christian Ramirez, "it's really been a tough year."

Ramirez, who is the San Diego office director for the Quaker human-rights organization American Friends Service Committee, said that to gauge just how serious things have gotten, one need look no further than the record 460 immigrant deaths along the U.S. Mexican border between Oct. 1, 2004 and Sept. 30, 2005.

"2005 has been by far the most violent, disastrous year in the history of this border," he said.

Concerned over what he sees as an alarming increase in human rights violations of immigrants and Latinos in North County, Ramirez and his group were instrumental in 2004 and 2005 in forming human rights organizations in Escondido and Vista.

But for long-time proponent of stiffer enforcement of immigration laws and Republican state Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside, "it was a huge year," he said last week.

Year of the Minuteman

Morrow called it "The year of the Minuteman," referring to the Minuteman Project, a civilian group that staged a border watch along Arizona's portion of the U.S. Mexican border in April. He said that he is celebrating the fact that North County residents and Americans in general finally are beginning to wake up to the drain on the state's finances and the risks posed by the federal government's failure to stop illegal immigration.

Morrow, who has declared his candidacy for the 50th Congressional District seat formerly held by Randy "Duke" Cunningham, has attracted media attention in recent months for his open endorsement of the Minutemen and a controversial town-hall meeting that he organized in August featuring several nationally known opponents to illegal immigration.

Ramirez said he blames 2005's record number of immigrant border deaths on several factors, including: the state of emergency on the border declared by Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's endorsement of the Minutemen; the border watch vigils that were organized by what Ramirez called paramilitary groups; and the increasing militarization of the U.S./Mexican border.

Another major factor, Ramirez said, has been the government's and politicians' increasing focus on policies that emphasize enforcement ---- policies that fail to address what he called the real problem driving illegal immigration: an American labor market in need of cheap labor.

Legislation excludes guest workers

In 2005, Bush and farm industry groups pushed for a comprehensive immigration policy that would include a guest worker program allowing foreign workers to temporarily live in the United States, so long as they agreed to return to their country after a set amount of time. Bush and the farm industry say they support it, because the economy and many labor intensive industries need inexpensive labor.

Opponents say that too many illegal immigrants are already in the country, with more arriving all the time. The country must first deal with stopping the flow across the border and deporting those already here illegally before even considering allowing more immigrant workers into the United States, conservative groups and many local politicians say.

Opponents of Bush's proposal won the latest skirmish in the immigration battle in recent days, when the House approved a bill that includes such measures as enlisting military and local law enforcement help in stopping illegal entrants and requiring employers to verify the legal status of their workers. The bill also authorizes the building of a fortified fence along parts of the U.S. Mexican border.

Noticeably absent from the legislation in its present form, however, is a guest-worker program or measures to address the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already living in this country. Those issues are expected to be taken up by the Senate after the year-end recess.

The summer of the border watch

In April, a group called the Minuteman Project held a border watch vigil in Arizona that captured worldwide media attention, when about 1,000 volunteers patrolled the U.S. Mexican border and reported suspected illegal immigrants crossing into the United States to the U.S. Border Patrol.

That endeavor inspired three other similar border vigils in San Diego County during the summer, one of which was organized by Oceanside resident James Chase. During that border watch, state Sen. Morrow paid them a visit in support of the group's efforts.

In the time leading up to the border-watch vigils in San Diego County, extensive media coverage highlighted the concerns raised by both sides and law enforcement agencies on the potential for violence.

On several occasions, protesters and counter-protesters faced off, screaming curses and epithets at one another. When state Sen. Morrow showed up at Chase's border-watch vigil, one of Morrow's aides was allegedly kicked by a protester. At a Mission Valley training session for border watch volunteers, a similar scenario ensued and police arrested one Latino activist for allegedly assaulting an opponent.

Despite the conflicts, relatively small numbers of border watch participants turned out for any of the three vigils and volunteers' efforts resulted in almost no apprehensions of illegal immigrants.

Politicians seize issue

In a March speech, County Supervisor Bill Horn stumped for completion of a border fence to fight illegal immigration. In September, Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff waived legal requirements to the completion of 14-mile border fence south of San Ysidro. And in November, U.S. Rep Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, whose district includes Poway, Ramona and other portions of northeast San Diego County, called for building a double border fence from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

In the weeks following now-former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham's July announcement that he would not be seeking re-election to his 50th District seat, several Republican aspirants for that job vied to position themselves as stauncher-than-thou supporters of increased enforcement of immigration laws.

In May, state Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, kicked off a signature-gathering campaign to get an initiative on the ballot to create a state border police that would patrol the U.S. /Mexican border and conduct work-site enforcement to arrest suspected illegal immigrants. Later in the year, that initiative failed when proponents failed to obtain enough signatures to qualify it for the ballot.

In August, state Assemblyman Mark Wyland, R-Escondido, wrote an opinion column for the North County Times in which he endorsed the initiative. At the time, Wyland was considering a run for Congress to replace Cunningham. While still not confirming whether he is in or out of that race, he has publicly stated that he will run for the state Senate seat now held by Morrow, who is leaving office due to term limits.

Besides Morrow's July participation in the border watch vigil, he organized a townhall meeting on illegal immigration in August that drew hundreds of anti-illegal immigration activists and featured as speakers a cast of nationally known anti-illegal immigration figures, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

Dozens of human rights and Latino activists staged a protest outside the event, and scores of riot gear-clad police officers were present to prevent any violence.

Opinions clash

San Diego human rights activist Christian Ramirez criticized Morrow and other politicians for what he said was their exploitation of illegal immigration for political ends.

"Of course there is a problem of undocumented migrants, but to go after them and attack them is the lowest form of opportunism I have seen in years in California," said American friends spokesman Ramirez.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Morrow defended his long-standing position on illegal immigration.

Calling Ramirez's accusations "baloney," Morrow said, "It is very clear that illegal immigration is a huge economic drain on our state and nation."

Another local politician to take a strong stance on illegal immigration in 2005 was Escondido City Councilwoman Marie Waldron. In October, she wrote a resolution of support for the border police initiative and the City Council approved that symbolic resolution in a 3-to 2 vote.

Dozens of local Latino activists packed a City Council meeting a few weeks later and sharply criticized Waldron and the council for passing a measure they said would only worsen relations between the city and many of its Latino residents, who make up 42 percent of the population.

One of those who protested the council's decision was local human rights activist Consuelo Martinez, a member of the Escondido Human Rights Committee. With the help of American Friends' Ramirez, the organization was formed in the wake of a series of U.S. Border Patrol sweeps of inland communities in 2004 that netted hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants. Latino activists accused the Border Patrol of using racial profiling during their operations.

Martinez said Thursday that 2005 was both a good and a bad year.

Because of the border police initiative and human rights violations of Latinos in North County, "this year was a wake-up call ---- people can't believe this is happening in this day and age," she said.

Latinos mobilize

Latino residents and others are beginning to organize and take action to prevent continued human rights abuses in North County, Martinez said.

The Escondido Human Rights Committee recently began assisting Vista Latinos in setting up their own human rights committee and are continuing their efforts to train volunteers in the tracking of human rights abuses in that city, Martinez said.

In addition to its work on the local level, the committee is working with American Friends Service Committee and a coalition of human rights organizations across the Southwestern United States to raise awareness of human rights abuses and to pressure politicians for change, Martinez said.

"We are networking locally but also working on a national level, visiting our representatives and bringing national attention to the issue," she said.

On Thursday, Escondido Councilwoman Waldron sounded unrepentant for her decision to back the initiative.

"We have to do something about the problem (of illegal immigration), if the federal government won't," she said. "That is why local officials are now starting to speak up."

Contact staff writer William Finn Bennett at (760) 740-5426, or wbennett@nctimes.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

Tom wrote on Jan 1, 2006 6:26 AM:Good article, but you forgot to mention the founder of the Minuteman Project Jim Gilchrist www.jimgilchrist.com running for congress in Orange County. The results were good and he is going to run again. I went to his office several times during the campaign to call voters. The day laborer situation is a big problem that needs to be addressed. In Vista every day there are 50 to 100 men standing on the corner of Escondido and Santa Fe, three blocks from a school and city hall and one half block from the North County Times office. It's a safety issue since there are children walking to school and women shoppers in the area. You don't know who these day laborers are. I contacted the police, the real estate management company for the shopping center, and the city government and they danced around the issue and did nothing. Frank Lopez at least called me and wanted to do something, but the mayor sent me a form letter that said that they could do nothing. I have been on the border and talked to residents and Border Patrol agents there and they appreciate what the Minutemen have done to spark the issue. One the best web sites to get educated on the illegal alien issue is www.americanpatrol.com operated by Glen Spencer

Tom wrote on Jan 1, 2006 6:52 AM:The day laborer situation is a big problem that needs to be addressed. In Vista every day there are 50 to 100 men standing on the corner of Escondido and Santa Fe, three blocks from a school and city hall and one half block from the North County Times office. It's a safety issue since there are children walking to school and women shoppers in the area. You don't know who these day laborers are. I contacted the police, the real estate management company for the shopping center, and the city government to complain about the problem and and nothing has changed. Frank Lopez at least called me and wanted to do something, but the mayor sent me a form letter that said that they could do nothing

Y? wrote on Jan 1, 2006 7:53 AM:Until corporations like Wal-Mart stop hiring them, illegal aliens will keep crossing the border. Wal-Mart blames the Federal government for not providing a national database to identify illegal aliens. However, most illegal aliens would be detected by running a simple credit check. Wal-Mart doesn't want any interruption of its pool of cheap, compliant workers.

Maria wrote on Jan 1, 2006 9:09 AM:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Bob wrote on Jan 1, 2006 1:13 PM: The day laborer dilemma has grown on both coasts. Here on the east coast we have virtually the same set of problems. The people who do the hiring are just as guilty as those who wish to be hired. This problem has spiralled out of control.

Bill wrote on Jan 1, 2006 4:16 PM:Illegal immigration is a hugh problem that effects all citizens. The border states cannot budget for the benefits they provide so the costs of illegal immigration are a drain on schools, hospitals, police, medicare, prisons, etc. Illegal immigrants don't have to pay taxes so society doesn't benefit from them being here. Sadly the worst also make it over the border to perpetrate their crimes on US citizens until they are caught and shipped back. Most make it back to the US to repeat their crimes. The US has been soft on illegal immigration and now need to take it seriously.

Cindy wrote on Jan 1, 2006 4:28 PM:I live in Cochise County, Arizona where the human smugglers load the illegal aliens into vehicles that smuggle them north. While the illegal aliens that hired the smugglers hiking through our rural desert fields they also camp out on private, state and rural desert lands. To see the photos of the approximately 8 lbs of trash per illegal alien littered in Cochise County go to:---http://www.desertvisions.us---- Dogs bark almost all night in our rural Cochise County neighborhood, the dogs are barking at illegal aliens. Locals loose many nights sleep because of the never ending flood of illegal aliens. Many of the ilegals are human mules and backpack 60 to 80 lbs. of drugs on their backs to pay part of the human smuggling fee. Say that the illegal alien hires a smuggler for $2,000.00 to smuggle him/her to NC, the illegal alien will carry drugs across the desert or mountains and the cash fee owed to the smuggler is now only $1,000.00---quit a deal and America gets more drugs on our streets. I wonder how many of the day laborers have left 8 lbs of trash in the desert and hauled drugs into the U.S., "for a better life." ???? BRAVO!! To all the, Protestors that rally against people who hire day laborers on Butterfield Stage Road.

Macromayhem wrote on Jan 1, 2006 9:10 PM:If anything this article shows how the "big" issue of immigration is being used for political gain, rather than for a resolution to the problem.... Gilchrist's Minuteman campaign - Not elected to office Haynes's signature gathering - no proposition to vote on Hunter's call for a double fence - not enacted upon. Morrow's Anti-Immigrant Rally - Mayor of Carlsbad called for Morrow to foot part of the public security bill. Morrow refused any payment. It's clear that Republican hacks are attempting to use immigration as a way to get elected. But, people are aware that - building walls, arming soldiers, and creating hate isn't going to solve the problem. It is a waste of money and easy way for them to get their name in the paper. http://macromayhem.blogspot.com

robert wrote on Jan 1, 2006 11:01 PM:uncontrolled illegal immigration is a big issue for everyone. If you overload a system (government,human body,etc) it will break down beyond repair. The French government got a glimpse of this up close and personal when it's immigrants started one of the worst case of civil unrest in that country's history. America is a powder keg waiting to be lit if something is not done about this problem now. I fully support those who enter this country legally. I don't feel obligated to help those coming here unlawfully expecting a hand out. Mexico should take care of their own instead of putting that burden on us. America has more than enough homeless and poor of its own that we should be focused on.

Ms. AllAmerican wrote on Jan 1, 2006 11:33 PM:It is certainly time to have an honest discussion about illegal immigration and human smuggling. These BROWN MEXICANS, and “we don’t know who they are,” but they are not like us and that’s what really matters... are coming to this country seeking a better life for their families like the Europeans did 100 years ago. This is about race, it isn’t economic otherwise EMPLOYERS would be actively prosecuted. Who does your gardening and housekeeping? And national security… the 9/11 terrorists had visas and came through Canada. Give me a break.

Cindy wrote on Jan 2, 2006 9:27 AM:I live in Cochise County, Arizona where the human smugglers load the illegal aliens into vehicles that smuggle them north. While the illegal aliens that hired the smugglers hiking through our rural desert fields they also camp out on private, state and rural desert lands. To see the photos of the approximately 8 lbs of trash per illegal alien littered in Cochise County go to:---http://www.desertvisions.us---- Dogs bark almost all night in our rural Cochise County neighborhood, the dogs are barking at illegal aliens. Locals loose many nights sleep because of the never ending flood of illegal aliens. Many of the ilegals are human mules and backpack 60 to 80 lbs. of drugs on their backs to pay part of the human smuggling fee. Say that the illegal alien hires a smuggler for $2,000.00 to smuggle him/her to NC, the illegal alien will carry drugs across the desert or mountains and the cash fee owed to the smuggler is now only $1,000.00---quit a deal and America gets more drugs on our streets. I wonder how many of the day laborers have left 8 lbs of trash in the desert and hauled drugs into the U.S., "for a better life." ????

Dave wrote on Jan 2, 2006 11:34 AM:I agree with Maria's post above. We do have the right to life, liberty and the pursute or happiness. That does not give people the right to break our immigration laws.

contessa wrote on Jan 2, 2006 1:28 PM:The American Friends Service Committee like all other pro-illegal immigrant advocates are clearly violating federal immigration law by harboring/aiding/abetting/assisting illegal immigrants and their illicit activities. It is not noble to break the law and help those who do to the detriment of our communities, and the nation. It is not a violation of human rights to enforce federal immigration laws against illegal immigrants and their employers. So many "non-profits" have used their religious organization status to actively aid/abet/harbor in the trade of illegal immigration and all its related illicit activity. People who give to those organizations often are uninformed about the type of activities these organizations engage in, including assisting illegal immigrants, their smugglers, and their employers.

Maria wrote on Jan 2, 2006 4:57 PM:Thank you Dave, but once an individual crosses over the border he is immediately, I said immediately protected under International Human Rights and since UNDOCUMENTED immigrants are not excluded on the constitution they are protected there also. Say what you want and do what you want but be aware that Human Rights are forming all over North County and San Diego and we will hold those responsible for violating any human, civil, or constitutional rights against any person. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Tina wrote on Jan 2, 2006 5:10 PM:Oh Tom, Please give me a break. I fear for my life when I am exiting a freeway ramp and I see a (usually) caucasion male standing there with a sign "Will work for food." I am afraid he is going to car jack my car and then rape and perhaps kill me. You know what concerns me more than the day laborers? It's the many registered sex offenders that live right here in Vista, we have 89 registered sex offenders. It scares me that the police and parole officers just lost track of a registered sex offender and he is loose right now to strike again. So yes I do agree we must lock up the women and children, but please know who the enemy is. Oh and by the by Frank Lopez is the most self-serving politician I have ever met. His position changes depending on the crowd he is addressing. As far as the minutemen go it will not surprise me that they will be running for some political office very soon. Oh that's right I almost forgot Jim Gilchrist is running for congress in Orange County self-serving. What was Mayor Vance's reason for not being able to do anything about the day laborers? We must not begin to harassing the day laborers because they are brown. That is called racial profiling. When will the derelicts that panhandle on the freeway be handled?

Anita wrote on Jan 2, 2006 7:58 PM: To Maria: I feel that to fulfill my unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness, I have to have your new Christmas presents. I’d particularly like the new jeans and athletic shoes, since I didn’t have the money buy them for myself. I’m going to walk into your house and take them, Ok? Oh, and that piggy bank on your dresser, is it ok with you if I break it open? I haven’t been able to save any money for myself for retirement, cause, you see, things aren’t so good at my house. If you say “no” you’ll be obstructing my right to happiness. Also violating my rights to liberty. As a matter of fact, I rather like your bedroom, and maybe I’ll just stay here. It’s awfully cold outside and I have nowhere to go, because I don’t have my own money. I have a human right to be comfortable, don’t I? I’m hungry, so I think I’ll sit down at your table. You wouldn’t be so cruel as to refuse to feed me, would you? Wouldn’t it be inhumane of you to let me go hungry? I am endowed by my Creator with unalienable rights! My family is waiting just outside. They are hungry, too. I think they also have a right to be fed. You aren’t a racist are you? Are you refusing to feed them because they are brown? What? I’m violating YOUR rights? What are you talking about? You mean YOU have a right to be secure in your own home? You mean YOU have a right to be the one to enjoy the money you have saved and other benefits You or your family have provided for you? What?!! You can’t LOCK that door, Maria. I have human rights!! I’m created equal, Maria!! You can’t deny my family our human rights because we are brown! Maria, Open that door and let me in! Maria, haven’t you read your own constitution? I HAVE RIGHTS!!

terrence wrote on Jan 2, 2006 8:36 PM:The only person to mention color in all the comments above was a person defending illegal immigration."It is certainly time to have an honest discussion about illegal immigration and human smuggling. These BROWN MEXICANS, and “we don’t know who they are,” but they are not like us and that’s what really matters..." Mexico does not let its neighbors to the South to cross its borders, it puts the invaders in jail if they do. Mexico also published a stamp with a black man with big lips this year and defended the stamp as a cultural icon. If your a goverment offical in Mexico your probly light skinned with Spanish heritage. Mexico has a large problem with race. If your Spanish heritage, your allowed to succeed. If your black or from an Indian background your not. Have you noticed that most of those leaving Mexico are not the light skinned Mexica ns like President Fox?

Frida wrote on Jan 2, 2006 10:45 PM:Glen Spencer is a reactionary xenophobe. Those ar enot facts, but inflated and biased so-called "statistics" How can you say we have the right to life and liberty (America a country of mostly immigrants who fled Europe and came here "illegally" too because no one invited them and they chose to immigrate here) and then try to deny those sames rights for other immigrants?

Anita wrote on Jan 3, 2006 11:17 AM:This article muddies the real political situation identifying only “Latino” activists and “Latino” civil rights abuses. The use of terms would subtlety imply that there is no difference between American Citizen Latinos, legal resident Latinos and illegal immigrant Latinos. They would like to imply that politicians face one big tremendously powerful block of Latino voters – who are all incensed over the “attacks” on illegal immigrants. Pay attention to page 4 of the article where unnamed “dozens of Latino activists” said the measure being considered would “worsen relations betweenthe city and MANY of its Latino residents, who make up 42 percent of the population”. If one did not read this carefully, it would be easy to come away with the impression that 42% of the population is going to be hard to get along with if Waldon continues her course. But the 42% was just a reiteration of the population’s racial make-up and has nothing to do with how much support these “dozens” of Latino Activists have. What do you want to bet these “dozens” were made up of Ramirez, Consuelo Martinez, and a few illegals pulled off the streets. A little careful wording makes it sound like there’s a whole army of Legal American Citizen voting Latinos just waiting to tear these politicians to pieces. Listen up, people. American Latino solidarity with illegal immigration is a big huge Reality Manipulation. Yeah, there are SOME, anxious to get their own extended families in and set up. But there isn’t too much love lost between most American Latinos and the “Cheds”. As I’ve seen others post on these sites, American Latinos can be the HARDEST on illegals. My guess is that the majority of American Latinos see groups like La Raza as no more than glorified street gangs – the Aztec boys gone legitimate.

Maria wrote on Jan 3, 2006 2:19 PM:Anita: Anita in one comment you talk about how you want to break and enter into my home and take all my worldly goods. Please feel free to help yourself. MI CASA ES TU CASA. Anita, please take a chill pill--Sweetie. In your comment you labeled anyone who does not see things your way a street gangs gone legit. There are 95,000 residents in Vista, and 45% of them are Latino. The statistics are correct. Christian Ramirez and Consuelo Martinez are progressive thinkers and they put themselves out there. They are subjected to critism such as yours for the sake of others. When was the last time you did something for someone else. I would venture to say NEVER!!!

Tina wrote on Jan 3, 2006 2:24 PM:How ridiculous are you Anita. I can't believe you would go on such a crazy rant and rave. You are pretty crazy to think that the constitution doesn't apply to you and you think you can break the law. But remember that God you are allowed due process, unless you are Latino, because your due process is handled on the street at the hands of an armed deputy. Right to a speedy trial, oh once again unless you are latino, speedy execution is what you get. Oh yeah and you have the right to an attorney, so now that you have expressed your intention to bring harm to a person, remember your constitutional rights protect you... Peace

Denise wrote on Jan 3, 2006 2:37 PM:Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! No I take it back now all of you go back where you came from.

Anita wrote on Jan 3, 2006 6:56 PM:Tina, are you saying I would be breaking a law if I were to walk into Maria'a house uninvited? Don't my unalienable rights to Life, Liberty and Happiness supercede the law?

Anita wrote on Jan 3, 2006 7:10 PM:Maria, I did not question the validity of the statistic that 42% of the population is Latino. If you read my post again more carefully, perhaps you will see what I WAS questioning. Neither did I say that anyone I didn't agree with was a street gang gone legit. Again, perhaps a more careful reading will reveal my point to you. You are a nice lady to invite us into your house. After seeing how you were able to miss my above two points so entirely, I'm afraid you may have taken me literally about going into your house. I was only making a statement. Again, perhaps if you take the time to think about it you will see my point. Peace

Brown wrote on Jan 4, 2006 2:09 AM:Maybe somebody should have done a national poll back in the 1500's to ask the Native Americans how they felt about their "ILLEGAL IMIGRATION" problem. Oh wait if they had an imigration problem, they received a quick solution from the invading immigrants..."MASSIVE SYSTEMATIC EXTERMINATION!" Remember at what cost was this country founded. Millions, yes! MILLIONS!! of innocent lives. Yet we cannot blame the then "persecuted immigrants" for what they did. Afterall they had, and still have God on their side remember? Manifest Destiny! One nation under God! In God we trust! For all of you that proclaim themselves to be christians and spew out nothing but venom against your fellow brothers and sisters, heed Jesus words in Matthew 22:33(look it up)...

Brown wrote on Jan 4, 2006 2:56 AM:Now that I think about it, yer pastor Patt Robertson or Billy Graham might not be available to answer this, you might not wanna wait until sunday service, or come to think of it, you might not even have a bible around the house! So this is what Jesus says in Mathew 23:33 refering to your biblical conterparts in those times "[Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" He also says in Mathew 23:28 "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity". As a matter of fact just read all of Mathew 23 out loud to yourselves, and introspect a while...Que dios los bendiga, y les llene el corazon de amor y razon... (ask your gardener to translate this for you) ...Peace. -M

Vista John wrote on Jan 4, 2006 2:07 PM:Ramirez said”an American labor market in need of cheap labor.” America will not need a cheap slave labor force ever. BIG Corporations want a cheap slave labor force sure. Is that what you want for your fellow citizen to have, a job that will not support themselves or their family? The Illegal Immigration will need to stop or we shall all be working in poverty soon. It is not right to move another countries poor into another country and depress the wages for everyone. The immigrants should be brought into America the right way and given decent jobs and paid enough to provide a decent life for themselves and their families. This Mass uncontrolled immigration is something I will never agree to ever and it is not wrong for me to want the laws and borders of my country to be observed. Is that what we want lawlessness to be the norm wait isn’t that Mexico? It is truly a shame the American way of life cannot be placed into Mexico. Then American justice could provide a more honest country for everyone to operate businesses and pursue that happiness that we all want. As I have said many times it is strange how legal Americans are made out to be the racist and evil but wait the Mexicans are running towards the USA and away from Mexico. Who is the Racist Evil Demons here really folks.

Anita wrote on Jan 4, 2006 4:03 PM:Censor, could you please post this one first. It should proceed the one I just posted to make a smoother progression of ideas. Thank you My real concern with the new proliferation of "Human Rights" groups is what the real agenda of your groups is going to be. I think you're purpose is to gum up the court system with a plethora of “human rights” violations that you will eagerly try to find in any small mistake that a law enforcement officer makes attempting to enforce the immigration law. It’s funny how the Mexican government has encouraged a similar strategy, and here you folks are, priming up to put it into practice. The timing just seems so uncanny.

Carolina wrote on Jan 5, 2006 4:05 PM:Tom, I just want to let you know that I am hispanic and this people are honest hard working people, oviously they are there because they want to work. How many people who are born here and are legal dont want to work instead they want to be lazy and comit crime you should let immigration worry about this problem since they are no harm to you.

Vista John wrote on Jan 6, 2006 8:50 AM:Carolina is correct Tom your only recourse is to write your federal representatives and let them know your feelings about Illegal immigration and or how the work force in America is used. I remember when I was 18 years old I went to Job placement centers in Denver Colo. You were interviewed on your skill and then sent to employers to apply for a job. This is really what should be setup for these people, do back ground checks to insure no criminals are entering the work force and deport individuals here that do not have a legal work visas. The process is there to put these people to work it is just not being used why? I really believe it is just plain old Corp greed that likes the present situation. The Corporations do not have to provide a real wage and no health benefits. The Corporations are really the only group whom really reaps the rewards from the present situation.

Pearle wrote on Jan 8, 2006 3:07 AM:tell Caroline to learn how to spell!! I have no problem with legal immigration. It allows an orderly influx of people from many countries that enrich our culture. I have visited an worked in many poor Hispanic countries, and I can tell you that they do not understand why it is "wrong" to steal services that other "legal" citizens taxes have paid for through generations of workers.

Anita wrote on Jan 8, 2006 9:43 PM:Vista John, I agree with you that Corporate greed is behind the present situation. As a Human Rights activist in the area of American Indian Religious Freedom and Land Grabbing, I have worked with the American Friends Service Committee and with AIM. Corporate greed was our human rights enemy then. Mining companies influencing the Government to allow strip mining on Indian owned lands. (AIM never used the term Native American which was coined in Washington as a hollow appeasment). Development Companies inundated Sacred lands turning them into recreation areas for boaters. The enemy has not changed. I doubt anyone posting here would like to help strengthen the corporations' stranglehold on the working class.

Charles wrote on Jan 9, 2006 1:35 PM:Illegal immigration is wrong period. As a black U.S. citizen, the black community has really been hurt the most by the influx of illegals from El Salvador, Mexico, and other Central American countries. I agree with Terrence, President Fox is of the white ruling class there in Mexico, and he is sending his poorest uneducated citizens to the United States. There is a big problem, when you have both Presidents of El Salvador and Mexico telling their citizens to come here. These countries need to work on improving their economy to help their own citizens. This country can no longer take care of the world's problems and it's people. Hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq, and other natural disasters in the U.S. has put a big financial strain on our federal budget. If these people have cross our porous borders illegally, then they should be sent back to their country of origin.

Tina wrote on Jan 10, 2006 9:39 AM:Charles how insightful. Please tell me how you think we should round up this "illegal immigrants" to send them back to where they came from?

Tom wrote on Jan 10, 2006 7:49 PM:This not just about day laborers or illegals sucking up tax dollars. The root cause of the illegal alien situation is that our laws, city, state, and federal are not being enforced, on purpose. There are enough laws on the books now to stop illegal immigration, but the political will is not there to do it. The ruling elite want open borders, businesses want cheap labor, politicians want votes, and some want reconquesta. "It is a sad day in America when the law-makers side with the law-breakers against the law-abiding." Ebola Foster - (VP candidate - 2000)

kris wrote on May 12, 2006 3:57 PM:Would you people please stop comparing coming into a country as being the same thing as coming into your house? Breaking and entering is an issue of personal space with personal loss. This is not the same thing.

bob wrote on Jul 22, 2006 2:55 AM:to the editor: i was born and raised hear in the united states,i am almost 65 years old, i am ashamed of our gov. letting any illegals come into our country and try to take over. we can't keep up with water, electricity, gas, sewerage,hospitalization,it is draining our economy. we were doing fine before this all started. go to their country and do wrong your going to jail or going to be sent back home.i give my support to all americans trying to get america back, thank you your friend bob

anonymous wrote on Jul 15, 2007 9:20 PM:i'm 12 years old and i'm am crying at the fact people want to kick illegals out. And i keep thinking is this the real world if someone comes into the country just kick then out? And if you do kick all illegals out who going to pick your fruit who going to do the jobs you don't want to do? And i have to say that not all illegal are mexicans. Illegals also come from other countrys and not just from mexico but it seem to me that people are useing immigration to get rid of mexicans.

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