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Simi church will be the site of anti-illegal immigration protest
STORY TOOLS 
More from ImmigrationAn anti-illegal immigration group is planning to protest Sunday in front of a Simi Valley church that is offering sanctuary to an Oxnard woman who is in the country illegally.
Save Our State, which has organized similar protests at other Southern California churches, plans to demonstrate at the United Church of Christ from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Liliana, who won't reveal her last name for fear of repercussions to her family, was told in May she was about to be deported. She was offered sanctuary in an Episcopal church in Long Beach. Then last month, she and her infant son moved to United Church's parsonage in Simi Valley.
About 100 people showed up for the Save Our State protest at the Long Beach church when Liliana was living there. Counter-protesters also showed up, organizers said.
"It was an interesting protest," said Chelene Nightingale, media and events director for Save Our State. "A lot of people who were local stopped by and joined us."
Liliana is one of four illegal immigrants in Southern California living in faith communities through the national New Sanctuary Movement. United Church of Christ Pastor June Goudey said the church has a long history of fighting for civil rights issues, ranging from gay rights to racial equality. She wants the protest to be peaceful.
"We're not trying to encourage anything that would be irresponsible," Goudey said. "We don't want a counter-demonstration."
The church informed the Simi Valley police about it, too.
"It's a planned protest, so we'll have resources available if anything does get out of hand," said Dave Livingstone, spokesman for the Simi Valley Police Department.
The 80-member Simi Valley congregation is the first in Ventura County to offer sanctuary, though other faith communities will provide financial and spiritual support.
New Sanctuary Movement leaders have said they're not breaking any laws, noting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials know the names of the people who are in sanctuary. But they hope the movement provides enough protection that lawyers can work with people like Liliana and find a way to stop deportation proceedings.
Liliana, 29, was born in the state of Michoacan and was caught trying to cross the border from Tijuana to San Diego about nine years ago. She said she earlier applied for a student visa but was turned down. She crossed the border again in a different place and came to Oxnard. Her husband, who works two jobs and is a homeowner, is a U.S. citizen and so are their three young children.
Posted by Nosmo_King on September 14, 2007 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pastor June Goudy, "We're not trying to encourage anything that would be irresponsible.." Like Harboring a fugitive? The phrase Practice what you preach comes to mind.
Posted by cassandra on September 14, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Other groups are planning a "Support Liliana" counter demonstration. Personally I think that's a mistake, simply adding fuel to an emotionally loaded situation.
But I think the demonstation is a mistake too. This kind of pressure point, a single private site, a threatened, angry, hate-filled crowd and counter-demonstators to inflame them further--I hope there are enough cops to handle it. These advocates for law-'n-order seldom have any real respect for it.
Posted by meleemel on September 14, 2007 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's an idea.......if the churches really want to "help" these people, why don't they have volunteers help teach them english and help them through the process of becoming a legal citizen the right way. I totally understand why people come here and want to stay here, it is one of the best places to live. All I'm asking is that they do it the right way. Don't expect a free ride and special treatment.
Posted by FedUp on September 14, 2007 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"a threatened, angry, hate-filled crowd"
Cassandra - do you even know these protestors?? nothing about them spews hatred. they are all american patriots, who are sick of lawbreakers. this goes for the church, as well as all of the illegals who are over here.
more then once, these protestors have been attacked by illegal immigrant supporters, without provocation. the SOS group is very organized, and they do not condone violence or racism in any member.
Posted by JB on September 14, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article could not more clearly delineate what the problem is with this country and with the immigration problem!! I have seen this same story played out several times in the City of Oxnard. You have a law abiding person, in this case the husband who works two jobs and owns a home. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, he is probably paying income tax on both of those jobs, property tax on his home and other related taxes. I am willing to bet his kids are good kids and not in a gang. This is probably the type of people you want in this country. What do we do, try and throw out the wife!! Why are we not going after all these scum bag gang bangers from Mexico and El Salvador who are killing and shooting people right and left. These people use our criminal legal system like a revolving door with complete impunity and this county has the unbridled stupidity to go after this family. I am pro legal immigration but come on, pull your head out. This is not the family to throw out. Take these gang bangers, the taggers, the punks, slam their ass against the wall and deport them, not the good ones you morons!! I am sorry, there is no justification for throwing out a family like this until someone shows me they are a detriment to our society. This is especially true when I can drive through most parts of LA and Oxnard on any day and without getting out of my car, I can show you dozens and dozens of slime balls who should be deported just because of the slime they are and yet the gvoernment turns a blind eye to these scum bags. This government goes as far as providing them with public defenders to fight our legal system after they have attacked and killed our families. Don't waste our time and money on the good people you frickin morons!!!
Posted by FedUp on September 14, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JB - well said. as much as I am against illegal immigration of any kind, I could not agree with you more. you should take this rant over to the forums section for more visibility. or possibly a letter to the editor for print.
Posted by Nosmo_King on September 14, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
check out the van pool article in todays Star. they're going to provide van pools for illegals to go to the fields.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 14, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FedUp,Very well put........
JB, Her kids are still learning math! Not quite old enough to load the pistol !!!!
First off its a sad story I agree, Had she applied legally the first time upon marrying an American Citizen she probably would have been legal a long time ago. But she didn't ! Then was deported. Then snuck back again (breaking the law twice) to get into this country.
Posted by JohnGC on September 14, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A coalition of open borders, illegal aliens and illegal alien employers have hit upon a great public relations scheme to get America to sign on to Amnesty for up to 20 million illegal aliens. It is called the Sanctuary Movement.
The plan envisions hammering the American public with emotional scenes of illegal aliens with anchor babies (the automatic citizen babies of illegal alien parents) who have been given a deportation order.
Various ch_rches have signed up to this project and are willing to host the illegal aliens and force the federal government to come fetch the illegal aliens in front of empathetic cameras.
The organizers of the Sanctuary Movement want to give the impression that the enforcement of immigration law “separates” families which is ludicrous.
Here are the facts: Immigrants, most of them illegal aliens, send home to their countries of origin $60 billion dollars annually and of that $23 billion goes back to Mexico. Foreign remittances show that an overwhelming number among the 20 or so million of illegal aliens are leaving family ("seperating") behind in their home countries. Those numbers far surpass the number of anchor babies that the Sanctuary Movement wants to exploit as an emotional backdrop for the demand for Amnesty, their ultimate goal.
"We're not trying to encourage anything that would be irresponsible," Goudey said. "We don't want a counter-demonstration."
C'mon now United Church of Christ Pastor June Goudey, you can fool some of the people some of the time...
Posted by JB on September 14, 2007 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anna, yes that is all true what you are saying. This issue about van pools for illegals to the fields, I am sure this is also true. No one in their right mind could believe this immigration system is anything but a dismal failure in this country. It obviously needs a complete revamping. I am not out to save the illegal immigrants. I can tell you however that I am an attorney who has met several families in Oxnard where they are home owners with mortgage payments. They don't have 10 families living in their home. They have just their wife and a few kids. The home is well kept and they are an asset to their neighborhood. They have good jobs, they have put their kids through school and now some are into college. It turned out that one of the spouses never became legal even though they have been here for years. Yes this is pathetically stupid on their part. Yes, I don't condone coming to this country illegally however, do we really throw out the baby with the bath water? Why not round up the scum bag gang bangers and throw their asses out of this country. No, they pick on these families who are decent people. I am not an advocate for immigrants but rather a level headed person. I don't condone coming to this country illegally. However, if you are going to leave these scum bag gang bangers, car jackers, tagers, murders, rapists etc. in this country who came over from Mexico & El Salvador then I am sorry, I can not accept throwing out the good people. Work with the good people and throw out the scum bags!!
Posted by MRCLEAN on September 14, 2007 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Deport the Criminal!
Posted by Jacksprat on September 14, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry for these people but there is one thing the law is for everyone. The church has no right to allow them to stay, they are breaking the law too. Harboring a person wanted by the law is a crime. Harbor a theft and when they get caught see what happens to you. You too will be arrested and maybe even loose your home. So how do the churchs think they can get away with breaking the law. The Constutition does not protect them when they do this. As a matter of fact the Constutition does not protect religion but protects us FROM Religion, Congress shall not establish any Religion. So It is time for this to stop. The Churches are not doing anyone any good doing this and in the long run will hurt them selfs. Churches in the US are loosing people and by going against the law will loose a lot more. The lady broke the law, so now has to face the pushment. Maybe the whole Family can move back where they came and work to make that place a better place, now they have a little education.
Posted by blcknpinkstarz on September 14, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You do the Crime you do the time. I realize that most everyones ancestors came to this country to seek a new and better life. But they couldnt hop the border they had to arrive on ship and wait where they were docked to register to be an american citizen.
I also think it is rediculous that we live in america which is a ENGLISH SPEAKING country. It is ridiculous getting turned down for a job after they tell you your over qualified because you Don't know spanish. How fair is that?? The People who live here legally, who speak the language of our country cannot get a job because they do not speak another countrys language.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on September 14, 2007 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do feel bad for the situation that Liliana got herself into. However, to give her an exception to the law might well set a damaging precedent. Down range impact must be scutinized carefully.
The church, and any such organization that takes similar actions, should lose tax-exempt status.
If illegal immigrants don't respect our immigration law as written, does that mindset lead to selective obediance of all laws? Citizens and legal residents can't pick and choose which laws to obey, or we well might pay the price.
Posted by Face on September 14, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people at this gathering should go into the church and perform a citizen's arrest of this illegal alien. The church should have its tax free status removed and those responsible for harboring her should be arrested for sheltering a known illegal alien, which is against the law.
Posted by Face on September 14, 2007 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
"Any person who . . . encourages or induces an alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."
Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):
A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
* assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or
* encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or
* knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Anyone employing or contracting with an illegal alien without verifying his or her work authorization status is guilty of a misdemeanor. Aliens and employers violating immigration laws are subject to arrest, detention, and seizure of their vehicles or property. In addition, individuals or entities who engage in racketeering enterprises that commit (or conspire to commit) immigration-related felonies are subject to private civil suits for treble damages and injunctive relief.
Posted by cassandra on September 14, 2007 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Fed-up, do I even know you? Probably not you personally and certainly not everyone of your opinion.
But I am familiar with the postings about this issue. Read through them. I f you do not detect the odor of unreasoning threat, bigotry, and hatred, then I advise you to avoid poetry because you are obviously tone deaf.
I too think our borders should be secured. I even think the Aztlan myth is BS. But Liliana? Give me a break.
All of a sudden our population consists of legal specialists and sticklers for the law? This is not the America I know. You want to hold a demonstration for a return of habeas corpus? Twenty people would show up. This is a piece of territorial rage. Nothing more.
Posted by Angelito on September 14, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When you guys stop demanding cheap items like electronics, cheap produce, and cheap labor, maybe then the illegal immigration will stop.
Until everyone realizes that shopping at Walmart, target, Kmart, or any place that provides cheap articles, and does not provide health plans for its employees its contributing to the illegal immigration.
Personally I think people on this forum are mainly hipocrats, because they say one thing here, but end up helping the illegal immigration when it comes to keeping their money in their pockets.
If minimum wage was increased on a cost of living wage, then we wouldn't be talking about this issues. But many employers rather hire the cheap labor in order to compete with bigger companies who also pay minimum wage.
The best solution is stop the war, and use all the money being wasted in Iraq in programs that will subsidy a universal healthcare for all Americans. Then Bring down the price of prescription drugs by controlling the prices set by pharmaceutical companies.
However this will not happen, because special interest control our politicians, and most Americans rather buy imported cars, or cheap items produced elsewhere than to help this country. Then all they can do is blame the illegal immigrants because they lack the brain power, or the inetlligence to see the real root cause of our problems.
Posted by blcknpinkstarz on September 14, 2007 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Minimum wage was increased from $6.75 to $7.50 on January 1st of this year. On January 1, 2008 It will be increased agian to $8.00
If you haven't noticed when minimum wage increases so does the price of everything else.
Posted by blcknpinkstarz on September 14, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you do not believe me here is the web site it is from. http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-re...
Posted by cassandra on September 14, 2007 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You wanna work for $8?
If we had to pay for the real cost of everything, we would live more simply. Paradoxically we might live better. In either case the planet would benefit.
We would drive less, for sure.
But hey, somebody is taking something from you, so hate, hate, hate, and blame these poor slumps trying to feed their families
I have something to add to Angelito's list--auit forcing "free trade" on Latin America. Then they wouldn't have to immigrate.
Posted by Face on September 15, 2007 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We should train 50,000 young illegals to overthrow the napoleonic land baron government to the south that represses it populace and keeps the oil money from reaching the poor.
Posted by Freedom1 on September 16, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess what hurts most is that the inaction of our elected officials have once again turned our immigration policies into a joke easily played by the likes of Liliana, Elvira and millions more with anchor babies. Once again we are being told that the only way to solve this problem is to provide amnesty to millions who broke our laws. It would be laughable if it were not so tragic for this country. Our cities are becoming more like Mexico on a daily basis where speaking English is an anomaly.
Posted by tobnerb on September 16, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Liliana's children are not "anchor babies." Her husband is an American citizen and was when they were born.
The New Sanctuary Movement's purpose is not amnesty for all undocumented aliens.
I highly suggest people educate themselves with the facts before they decide they don't agree with the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley or the New Sanctuary Movement.
Posted by cheeny on September 16, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of these anti-immigration rants scream hypocrisy. First of all, except for the Indigenous North and Central American Native, everyone in the US is an immigrant. Secondly, if you delve way back into early American history, it is evident, this country was hijacked from the Native Americans via bio-terror war, mass genocide, slavery, and of course oppression by the early Colonialists and their descendants. Now, you smug anti-immigrant foes are savoring the spoils of victory by dictating double standards in immigration race "quotas" to preserve the conquering "White" status quo!
Posted by cheeny on September 16, 2007 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh and we must not forget, also, that the early British Colonialists deserted England punishable by death. It is ironic, these self-avowed radical Christians Pilgrims and their descendants, committed horrendous crimes in the name of their God for the purpose of establishing their culture and religion in the new world!
Their crimes predated, exceeded the combined total of all modern illegal immigrants, both White and non-Whites, criminal offenses.
Jim Crow and Slavery laws legalized racist criminal offenses.
This is historical fact.
Posted by Freedom1 on September 18, 2007 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was very happy to hear Mayor Paul Miller's position on this topic at the City Council meeting last night and the efforts he and the City Council had taken the avert this rally. Since the Church did not agree with his request to not become part of the sanctuary movement they will be happy to note that the cost to the City services to protect city residents, visitors and property by the actions of those attending this rally (estimated to be $35,000) will now be billed to the church. With more rally's planned I sure hope they have budgeted for this! Actions have consequences.
Oh, and "tobnerb" an "anchor baby" is a baby born to someone in this country illegally who is used to garner sympathy for the parent with the hope that it will eventually lead to legalization of the illegal parent either by sponsorship (when the child becomes old enough) or some type of amnesty. Seems to describe this situation perfectly.
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