To clarify, I’m not opposed to the ‘Rule of Law’, but I don’t agree with 20 years of non-enforcement by the Federal government followed by a period of strict enforcement without making some accommodations for those individuals who in many cases have been entrapped by inconsistencies in our immigration policies.
Just a reminder, it’s only post 9/11 that we have required people to adjust their status by returning to their home countries. But many of these individuals entered our country during a time period where we allowed them to gain work sponsorship after they arrived ILLEGALLY. However ,now with changes in immigration laws these individuals who were once under the impression that they could adjust their status here have now been told that they must leave and in many cases for extended periods. Many times people have claimed that these people have had enough time to become citizens without the realization that this option hasn’t been offered for many years. It doesn’t make sense to have these people abandon their homes, have their children lose years of an educational opportunity only to readmit them years from now. It doesn’t seem to benefit our economy now or in the future and, our inconsistent policies are directly affecting the lives of many including our most vulnerable - US citizen children.
Additionally, these laws have fluctuated greatly over the years. At one point in time, ‘illegals’ were required to return to their home countries for an interview in their Consulate’s Office. However, in 1996 Congress changed these laws, requiring instead that they pay an increased filing fee and have their interviews conducted here in the U.S.
In fact, if they had left the country during this time period before their interview they would be severely penalized. My point being simply that immigration laws have changed back and forth many times over the past decade and likely could change again.
My recommendation would be to take another look at our immigration policies and try to correct our mistakes instead of trying to wash our hands of it and blaming it entirely on the ‘illegals’. American’s play fair, we shouldn’t start off with one set of rules and then change them in the middle of the game, telling all the other players to pack-up and go home.
For these reasons, I object to enforcement on the average law abiding person until the Federal government addresses the issue.
Amen!
Never mind the kind of hostility this “resolution” has created….in addition to the cost when we are in a budget crunch….in addition to…shall I go on?
This is a racist action by the Bush police state. We will not stand for profiling. Every time a latino is detained we will file a suit with out ACLU brothers. I hope that more real Americans like the good people on this site join with us to stop this crime against humanity. Please don’t let them push the latino people into a corner till we have no choice but to stand up at once together. Did you not learn anything from the 1960s? There are 20 Million undocumented in this country with many many millions more of our latino brothers and sisters. We can make a big storm if forced. You reasonable people need to make Greg and his followers understand that they can not win this fight. I don’t want to see it get to that because it will take many years to heal the wounds that would result.
I think you are sounding just like the “others”. The facts are that there is a legal way to enter a country, any country. People have to come here legally. That is not about race or anything just the law.
We people are not going to make Greg understand anything, from “their side” they also will make a big storm and will fight. I don’t see any difference between you.
The discussion between you Guadalupe and Juturna is exactly the kind that people who love to hate love to hear. It’s division they WANT. They WANT you to get angry, to provoke you into something that really IS illegal. As soon as that happens, supporters of the resolution and of hatred WIN.
DON’T LET THEM!
Guadalupe, I so understand the kind of rage that being picked on makes you feel. I’m not Hispanic, but I’ve been picked on enough to know what it’s like and how it makes you want to gather forces. And gathering people to help you win your liberties is the RIGHT thing to do! BUT……if you want to be successful, you must do it in terms that help you get what you want, not give the other side fuel to condemn you. “We can make a big storm if forced” sounds like a threat.
I guess all I am saying is people listen to the kind of language we use. If that language sounds threatening, you are going to get the same response you did from Juturna. You won’t get the kind of support you want. I KNOW how hard it is because I mouth off all the time when I get angry and frustrated. It’s normal. But we have to try not to (I’m reminding myself as well).
You fight this with the ACLU, attorneys, human rights groups, and experienced lobbyists, as you already are. You can’t fight it by threatening a “storm” because threats just make the other side angry, resentful, and fearful. Look…they KNOW they can’t deport 20 million people! They already FEAR a storm. If you continue to communicate in the right ways, you will win in a style that will earn worldwide respect and a path to a stronger future. You WILL get the piece of paper you are looking for, but you can’t get it by force. And whether all these “Help Save” people believe it or not, they won’t get a thing by force, either because too many of us CANNOT and WILL NOT STAND BULLIES!
Juturna, this is VERY much about racism. If you have read any of the things posted on BVBL, if you have actually heard any of the things coming out of John Stirrup’s and Corey Stewart’s mouths, and if you have read comments in the local newspapers, the racism in this county is loud and clear. Stand next to the sign on 9500 Liberty long enough, look Hispanic, and you will get the full experience of the hatred this resolution has spawned.
How these two BOCS members in particular could justify taking policy from a hate group, voting it in, implementing it, and paying for the implementation without even having the money on hand is beyond me. HOW is this legal? Seems to me there have been more violations than those of human rights. Something smells systemically criminal to me.
Guadalupe, I agree with KGotthardt, and I am a supporter of immigrants’ rights, having spent 20 years working with immigrants, mostly Latinos. There is a lot of racism in this country and a lot of people who fear the demographic changes in their communities. But there are also many, many people like us who will fight that racism and hatred and will never let them “take over” this country. We know what happens when people do not speak up. Immigrants must do whatever it takes to become a citizen, VOTE, get an education, and become involved in the greater community.
I see very little difference in the talk GH is doing and what the anti illegal crowd is doing. I believe there are enough reasonable minded people in this community to establish dialogue to discuss issues, not threaten.
GH, that kind of talk just doesn’t do it for me. Also, I don’t believe you are Latino. If I am wrong, my apologies. The Latino community would be better served via the Firedancer plan rather than the in your face plan.
Guadelupe, not sure what you mean by “We can make a big storm if forced “. I question your credibility. The only side I hear talking about violent endings are the hysterical HSM’ers or the KKK.
Always about PEOPLES rights, never about CITIZENS rights as in the right to defend our sovereign borders! I understand that criminals are people too, but that never stopped a 14 year old from getting busted for stealing a 50 cent pack of gum, and that is a far less crime than breaking Federal Immigration laws. So which is it, do we simply throw out all laws that affect PEOPLE? That would create a totally lawless environment, but then that’s exactly where most of these PEOPLE came from, so breaking laws is no big deal to them. Unfortunately that mind set has been adopted by folks such as you simply because they are PEOPLE and no other reason.
SecondAlamo,
You sure see immigration as a black or white issue, don’t you?
What is your point? Are you assuming that everyone posting on this blog feels that open borders are ok? If that is your assumption, you are quite wrong.
Thank You for the advice. I am very angry. When I say storm, I mean like using our dollars and marching like what we did last summer. If 20 million latinos did this at once, the people would see that we are here to stay and we are important to your lives. We work hard in your restarants and in your fields. I am afraid that for some time things would be worse if we did this and more Gregs woulf come out.
I am a latin@. I came to this country as a girl in 1982 and got my citizenship in 1991. I have undocumented family.
SecondAlamo, not having the right documentation doesn’t make someone a criminal. It is a CIVIL offense that can be taken care of with PAPERWORK. Ask any lawyer.
I don’t know what it is going to take to make people understand this, but the ignorance is just incredible.
GH,
My apologies re Latin@.
You will be more helpful to the Latino community, in the long run, if you show you are a voice of reason and continue to be a good citizen. I understand anger. There are times for anger and show of like-mindedness and there are times to make absolutely certain that you present firm truthful facts.
Probably it would be helpful to you to look at what is making people mad, the real reasons, not what they are saying. Not rhetoric. I think if you looked at that…it would seem less personal.
To clarify, I didn’t mean this WASN’T racism in action, I was referring to folks that come here, regardless of race, have to come here legally.
I think BVBL is ALL about racism in a most insidious way - for the record! Arrghhh. That’s why I am here, I always had to wash my hands after reading that blog.
I think we need to be organized to sue the city as soon as a case of abuse can be documented.
So all the border patrol officers are there to prevent Civil offenses, and not prevent illegal immigration? Now suddenly ILLEGAL immigration is no longer illegal by your definition. I think ICE would have a very different opinion. Don’t kid yourselves, we don’t deport people for CIVIL offenses. Even I would have a problem with that. How about the fact that there is no health screening taking place. TB was nearly extinct in the US until the border hoppers started arriving in huge numbers. So forget the law, how about the health aspects? Lets hear you talk your way out of that one!
Alamo, who ARE you addressing? It sounds like you are arguing with yourself.
There is a distinct difference in crossing our borders illegally and being in our country without proper documentation…aka…illegally. Obviously the two situations will be handled differently.
Are you laboring under the impression that all ‘illegals’ are crossing at the Mexican/American border?
No, just the great majority. Not many illegals can afford plane tickets. Common sense, geography, and the news supports that the majority of illegals are indeed those who crossed our southern border. So no, I’m not under any false impression.
Many illegal immigrants are in the United States because they have overstayed their visas. Illegal Irish, Russians, Koreans, are most definitely in the United States, often up to no good also. Middle eastern countries also fit into this category. Many folks from Central America also overstay visas. These people did not cross illegally but because of overstaying their visa, they are illegal.
These people are just as illegal as Mexicans who walked or swam across the border.
Ok then, lets deport them also! It’s an equal opportunity Resolution. No discrimination here. Illegal is illegal. Can’t fight that logic. Thanks for the support MH!
Alamo,
First off, I am not saying that they should be in this country. I am sort of old fashioned, especially after 9-11, about the critical need to know who is in our country.
I don’t know how to deport 15 million people. I want to deport criminals. (I would like to send a few home growns out of here also)
My concern is, what is the resolution going to get us. We are not the feds. We cannot force the feds to do what we want to do. I think our money is better spent cracking down on employers. Realistically, we just cannot start importing people who have not committed crimes. I don’t want to live in a country that would do that.
MH,
Your statement about not wanting to live in a country that only imports non criminals confuses me. Why would that bother you? I agree that preventing employment is a much more efficient way to solve the problem. No job, no money, Adios! Richmond did just that, and I applaud them for it.
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