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Church shelters Liliana one year
Both sides seem to be in limbo
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Juan Carlo / Star staff Liliana and her son Pablito have spent a year living in sanctuary, in a home owned by the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley. She's part of a national New Sanctuary Movement, which is trying to protect illegal immigrants from deportation and separation from their families.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Local NewsThe bullhorns are gone. So are the protesters who bellowed into them Sunday mornings on an otherwise quiet Simi Valley street. The standoff with the city over $39,306 for police security is over, too.
Liliana remains.
A year ago today, the illegal immigrant moved into a small home owned by the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley. She came with her then 5-month-old son Pablito for sanctuary against the threat of being deported to Mexico.
Lawyers are trying to find a way for her to return to her previous home in Oxnard but don't know when something will happen.
People who once protested at the church call federal authorities and demand Liliana's deportation as well as investigations into the church. Immigration officials avoid saying they won't make an arrest on church property, instead declaring they take action at "appropriate times in appropriate places."
The limbo continues, and no one knows how long it will last, including Liliana.
"I don't have any idea," she said through a translator Friday at a sanctuary home decorated with pictures of the Virgin Mary. "I live day by day. I ask God to bring a solution."
Her presence and the church's efforts draw praise from some advocates of immigration reform, anger from people who want the government to enforce its laws and calculated disinterest from others.
"We're just kind of ignoring it at this point. It's not really an issue," said Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller, who was once at the center of a controversy that drew national attention.
Miller led the city's efforts to bill the church for the security provided at a Sunday morning protest last September against Liliana and illegal immigration. Then he and other city leaders tried to persuade Department of Homeland Security to move quickly on Liliana's case.
Neither effort worked.
"The city has no control over it," he said. "Going into this thing we felt we weren't going to get any results."
Voluntary imprisonment
Liliana, who is 30, conceals her last name, instead using Santuario — Spanish for sanctuary. She comes from Michoacan and was caught trying to cross the border 10 years ago after her request for a student visa was rejected.
She tried to cross the border in a different place, made it and ended up in Oxnard. Her husband is a naturalized citizen. Their three children were born in the United States.
She sought sanctuary in May 2007 after armed immigration agents came to arrest her at her Oxnard home, then gave a short reprieve so she could find someone to care for her children. As part of a national project called the New Sanctuary Movement, she went to the home of a Catholic deacon in Sierra Madre, then to an Episcopal church in Long Beach and finally to Simi Valley.
She lives directly behind the church in a three-bedroom home that was once a parsonage. The only time she leaves is to go to the church.
The doors of the house stay locked. Groceries are delivered. Church members or other supporters stay with her constantly, just in case immigration agents come.
An English tutor visits her three times a week. She cooks, cleans and takes care of her children, who are there nearly every day. Once a week, Catholics deliver Holy Communion.
She said she doesn't feel trapped. She thinks her experiences are making a difference.
"Maybe you can't really see it," she said, "but me being here will remind people to change the law."
To many people, Liliana is the face of an invasion that has brought 12 million illegal immigrants into the country, taking away jobs and opportunities, committing crimes and asking for immigration amnesty.
They say her continuing presence at the church provides the definitive X-ray of a shattered immigration system.
"I think it says that our government is not wanting to enforce our own laws," said Chelene Nightingale, spokeswoman for the Save Our State group that helped organize Sunday protests at the church. "It sends a very clear message that America is in a crisis situation and people aren't paying attention."
Nobody cared'
Liliana's presence pushed a quiet city known for its lack of crime and conservative politics into the middle of the immigration tug of war.
That first protest rally held outside the church brought about 120 angry people from throughout Southern California. They hollered ugly insults at each other from across a driveway, those protesting illegal immigration on one side and counter-protesters supporting Liliana on the other.
A protest held the next month brought about 40 people, and eventually the number dwindled to five people who stood outside the church every Sunday. They no longer brought bullhorns but still had American flags and signs that tweaked the Spanish slogan "Si se puede" into "Deportation, yes we can."
Lupe Moreno, a clerical worker for the County of Orange, missed only two weekends over 11 months. She drove 90 minutes or more every Sunday because of what she saw as the arrogance of people willfully breaking the law.
The protesters asked Simi Valley police to arrest Liliana. They wrote to Congress and other government officials.
"It's just like nobody cared," Moreno said.
She and others stopped coming after one final rally billed as the protesters' first anniversary. Moreno cited her family and the need to go to her own church on Sunday. Nightingale said the cost of gas was an issue for others.
"We're not through with that church," Nightingale said. "We still call ICE. We still call the IRS. We still hope there's an investigation."
In it for the long haul
Liliana lives with her son Pablito, who is now 17 months old. Her other children, ages 6 and 8, live with her parents in Oxnard but spend the night in the sanctuary house several times a week. Her husband, Gerardo, who works two jobs, is there every night.
Pablito was baptized as a Catholic at the church. Liliana's daughter Susy was an angel in the church's holiday pageant. Liliana was Mary.
Church members say they're providing sanctuary to keep the family together. They scoff at the notion that Liliana's life would be better if she was deported to a country where she has no family.
"As a mother, I would rather be confined to a home and not be able to go to the store and other places versus being completely isolated from my children," said church member Jeanie Mortensen. "I don't think there's a big, huge decision."
The congregation votes every three months on whether to keep providing sanctuary, with the next vote due in November. Church officials say one member has left the church because of concerns about security. Other congregants say they're living out their faith.
"We went into this for the long haul," Mortensen said. "If we profess to have certain values and are afraid to live by those values because we fear the consequences, then we're not really being true to our values."
Fewer illegal immigrants
The New Sanctuary Movement is sheltering 14 people across the country, including seven in California. Supporters say it keeps families together, puts a face on the immigration battle and raises the pressure for reform. Opponents say the movement has achieved little.
They say immigration raids and enforcement have grown steadily over the past year. The Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates tougher enforcement, claims the number of illegal immigrants has decreased by about 1.3 million people over the past year.
"I think that should probably tell you where the nation is going," said Bryan Griffith, the center's spokesman. "Currently, it's veering toward enforcement."
Illegal immigrants are leaving, but the lack of jobs is the primary reason, said Frank D. Bean, director for the Center for Research on Immigration at UC Irvine. He said the chances of reform will increase with the presidential election, but the struggling economy remains a roadblock.
Bean compared the sanctuary movement to the Minutemen who patrol the border looking for illegal immigrants. Neither group is going to change national policy, but both influence the way people think about immigration.
"They're kind of mirror images of each other," he said.
Liliana's lawyers are using the Freedom of Information Act to try to procure her immigration records. They say she may qualify for legal status on the basis of her marriage. They say they're trying to find a way she can return to Oxnard until her case is resolved.
They don't know how long that process will last. Niels Frenzen, an immigration law expert at University of Southern California not involved in the case, said 12 months feels long only to people not used to the process.
"A year is nothing for immigration law," he said.
Posted by adamantly on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that a church providing criminals with sanctuary is a terrific idea. The Catholic church has been doing it for years.
I think all wanted criminals, murderers, rapists, bank robbers etc, should go to churches for sanctuary. That way they will be kept contained, prison populations will go down and most importantantly the church and their supporters will have to support the sanctuary population, thereby sparing the taxpayer the expense.
Sounds perfect to me.
But what will happen when the church can't bear the cost of a growing sanctuary population? Seems like that will be the point where their convictions will face a true test.
Posted by hapkid0tico on August 23, 2008 at 5:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
time for the old folk protestors to go home!
Posted by heregoes on August 23, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Church members say they're providing sanctuary to keep the family together."
Wrong. The church is the one keeping her family apart. She could legally have ALL of her family together and intact back in Mexico - right now. I bet ICE would even pay for the deportation.
If this church wants this family together so bad maybe they should step up and buy them a house in Mexico - problem solved!
Posted by surfwidow on August 23, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who payed for those kids? The Tax paying citizens, thats who! She seems to be having alot of sex at her home in the church...typical..
The Mexican people have 'entitilment issues' and need to 'better themselves' on the backs of American tax paying citizens like parasites.
Okay California, keep importing the poor and uneducated and you will be just like Mexico. It is already eveident that we are heading that way.
There are more and more slums and ghettos now than ever before. These people dont want to be Americans, they're just looking to take what they can for themselves. Its disgusting...
Posted by handyhood on August 23, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While I don't believe in illegal immagration, I believe that ou government makes it almost impossible for legal immagration. This country is what it is today because people came here who wanted something different for their familys. Most illegal hispanics work really hard at jobs no one wants for little money. I say if they want to live here they need to live here as an American. That means no more catering to their language needs. No more teaching school in spanish so they can understand. No more getting every kind of form in anything but english. No more pressing 2 for spanish. If you want to live here thats fine, but you have to do it as an American. Not a Mexican-American, or a French-American, or an anything else American. American must be first and only, except for American-Indian. They were hear first after all!
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Between stories like this and the possiblility of a prison hospital in Camarillo, it all makes me sick !!! The priorities are all bass akwards. Illegals and murderers and rapists have rights? Come on !!!
I agree with the other post, the church is keeping the family apart. A home in Mexico would not be very expensive to buy. Maybe they can use their energy and resources and get their supporters together and buy them a home in Mexico. That is where they belong.
I live paycheck to paycheck and pay my taxes and I am sick and tired of hearing how my hard earned tax dollars are being spent either supporting these prisoners and illegals.
Most, who have legalized themselves, are on welfare because they refuse to better themselves and get an education. It is like they have more rights than I do. And they expect it. The prison hospital is a whole other issue.
Something is wrong here and we need to get tuff regarding the situation or it will get more out of hand that it is now.
Liliana and her family knew very well she was breaking the law when she illegaly came in to this country, and should have to suffer the consequences. If they want to be together as a family, her husband needs to go back to Mexico, plain and simple. No other country would let this get this far, why should we?
Shame on the churches for helping this woman who is breaking the laws of our country.
Posted by CarpCoyote on August 23, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Liliana! Pretty soon white ultra-conservatives will crawl back under their rocks and we'll get back the California we all love..there's no reason why you shouldn't live here peacefully with your husband. Don't let these hillbilly nitwits scare you...and you're right, the immigration laws need to be changed to reflect reality.
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Illegal immigrants aren't eligible for Welfare so those stats don't matter. The Illegal immigrants get tax payer dollars in free medical care, free education for their kids and subsidized housing.
As for separating families. If you break the law and come here illegally you have to realize you might get caught and have to pay the price. Do people complain when a criminal convicted of robbery gets put in prison and is separated from their family? It's the same thing
Break the law, get caught, pay the price.
This is why I stopped buying newspapers. I am sick of the sob stories about people that have broken the law now can't face the consequences. Where are the stories of American families that are having a rough time?
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 23, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
adamantly ,They do not harbor rapist,murder'ers or bank robbers. This Lady has been going through this for a long time. Her husband is legal and her three children, so why should she be seperated? At first I had another opinion on this case BUT now I feel they should give her legal status. I know alot will disagree....But her husband has two jobs they are not on welfare he is supporting his family.
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me clarify myself, I wasn't raising the race card when I made the comment on welfare, I understand there are alot of white people on welfare too and white illegals. My point is, I am tired of supporting these people for years and years while they won't do anything to better themselves. If the milk is free, don't buy the cow, so to speak.
I also know there are some who come here legally, even uneducated, who come here to better themselves and do that. They have some kind of knowledge of our language before coming here, enough to get by and are very interested in learning and living the American way. I have no problem with that.
No other country puts up with illegals like we do here in America and expecially California. Try it and see how far you go. You will be in jail so quik your head will spin. And you can't cry "it's my right to be here!!" They don't care.
Posted by surfwidow on August 23, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
High Society. Those were type-O's. How petty of you..as usual... You're such a tard.
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AnnaWhaat the Cathloic Church harbors Child Molesters.
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AnnaWhaat, besides I was equating being deported as punishment for the crime of coming here illegally, like being thrown in prison for the crime of robbery. The family of this lady can join her in Mexico. The family of a convicted robber can't join them in prison. Do the Crime, Do the time. She made a choice to come here Illegally. She could have come here legally but chose not to do so. She got caught and now it's time to pay the price.
Posted by TarrazAngelz on August 23, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Imagine there no countries, no boundries, just earth, Mother Earth, Imagine no religions, nothing to kill or die for, Imagine all the people living life as ONE.
Have you ever been to Mexico? One room shanties with dirt floors, no food, no jobs, washing your cloths in dirty sewer water, corrupt goverment, violations against women and human rights, what would you do?
Where is this church that is helping God's daughter, Lilliana? I want to go to this church!
This is a true church whose parish is truely concerned for its neighbors. Shame on those ugly people that would deny an innocent young mother her human rights of food, shelter, and education for her children.
The Hispanic population in So. Cal does all the work the lazy Gringos would never do. Everytime you eat fruit, vegetables, enjoy bouquets of flowers, eat on clean dishes in resturants, enjoy clean restrooms in public places, say a prayer of thanks to the Hispanic population who does all the dirty work for an arrogant population whose ancestors were immigrants, once, also.
Get down on your knees in gratitude for being born into this country and not in a desolute place with no opportunites for basic human needs.
It is amazing how the poorest of the poor end up working for the richest of the rich, taking care of their most precious homes, possessions and children. Beverly Hills, Malibu, Bel Aire, even the Valley(s) are full of housekeepers, gardeners, and babysitters, plus caretakers for the elderly, all Hispanic. Who's protesting that?
God bless this church. This is a true Christian church. Where exactly is this church? I will attend this church. Shame on those that protested. How ugly they looked in those pictures taken, yelling at an innocent young (beautiful) mother and child, who hurts no one.
Would Mother Mary, Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna march this young woman and all others back to a life of disparity? Or would five loafs of bread and five fishes be turned into a banquet to celebrate those who show compassion and loving kindness!
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. Perhaps someday you'll join us. And the world will live as ONE.
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TarrazAngelz, Not going to happen.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on August 23, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretty much what I thought would happen.
The Feds won't violate the concept of the Sanctuary movement.
The City of Simi Valley backed down on their sensationalist headline grabbing effort to bill the church for protection from out of city protestors. That was such a joke. After Mayor Paul Miller and cohorts extracted the news value from it...it was back under the rock they crawled out from under for them!
The "Save Our State" folks...withered away. So they make a few crank calls. Whatever. Not much more impact than those who post on these boards, like myself I'd include. Ho-Hum.
Meanwhile, in part because of all the loony rhetoric that this Liliana story typifies, we still lack any sort of policy with regards to the undocumented in this country that makes any sense or has any positive effect.
Posted by surfwidow on August 23, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tarraz- YOU should be thanking US. We are doing you guys the favor. NOT the other way around. Without us, you'd have no job. Your welcome!
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TarrazAngelz, First you should be thanking the taxpayers for giving your friends free health care, Free education for their kids and discount housing. You don't get that deal in Mexico. Heck American's don't even get that deal.
Also here is a tip, when you are trying to get people to see your side of an issue you really should call them names. That really doesn't help. You are just reinforcing the view of the other side.
Posted by laurarmc on August 23, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our immigration laws are stupid, largely thanks to all of you paranoid SAVE OUR STATE people.
Lilliana's husband is a naturalized citizen. They are a family that works hard, owns a home, contributes to society.
YET, she cannot attain legal status because she broke the law in coming here- AFTER applying for a student VISA.
Our laws make it ridiculously hard to get a VISA, but then once one is granted, there is no follow up, so the provision is abused. A** backwards.
And our laws make it difficult, if not impossible, for people south of the border to get work VISAs, so once they have made it here, they stay, because it's too dangerous to move back and forth.
And then finally, when someone like Lilliana deserves a fair hearing and review of her status, it looks like the law allows for one option only: deportation. Which is not a good answer.
If all of you nativists would pull your collective head out of your a**, smart work could be done on reform.
Posted by CharliesMom on August 23, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TarrazAngelz: Though I appreciate your kind heart and comment w/ good intentions...
EXCUSE ME? "One room shanties with dirt floors, no food, no jobs, washing your cloths in dirty sewer water, corrupt goverment, violations against women and human rights, what would you do?"
Have YOU ever been to Mexico? Sure sounds like you haven't! Because if you have, you'd know that there is also a middle class and an upperclass, just like there is here, with suburbs full of nice homes, new cars in their driveways, kids going to elite private schools, and enjoying the good life too, just like we do. You shouldn't mislead and generalize a few bad areas and make it look as if that whole country is in complete dissaray. I've been to different parts of Mexico MANY times, and have lots of relatives that currently live & prosper there. I've never seen what you just described. Please. It's not a 3rd world country over there anymore.
Posted by HateMachine on August 23, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Instead of saying that this church is wrong for sheltering this woman we should be wagging our finger at law enforcement, and the governement for not taking action. Its political, its because everyone wants to say we need reform we need to deport the illegals, but at the end of the day no one wants to be the person that physically removed this woman from a church.
The seperation of church and state are an issue, FOR THE STATE.
The parishoners seem to have interpretted scripture to saying its ok to harbor a criminal. And what a hypocracy to have her play the Virgin Mary in a pagaent. She did not birth the Messiah, she gave birth to 3 children in a country where she wasnt a citizen.
There is the one side that says she is married to a citizen, but he is a naturalized citizen does this give her any rights to apply for citizenship? Or when she came to this country illegally, after she was turned down she knew the consequences or her actions could mean deportation.
If her husband is working two jobs to support his family, then he can support her while she is in Mexico as he is getting her "paperwork" together for the family to be reunited.
Yes I am tired of pressing 2, receiving advertisements in my mail box that are in spanish, of double-dipping illegals that get all the food stamps, medi-cal, AFDC while they also work in the fields.
If we moved to Italy, or France we would have to learn the language. Why is it so difficult for illegal immigrants to adjust to the American way of life? Why do we cater to their needs? If we werent so accomodating perhaps there wouldnt be so quick to cross the border. "Hey Pablo in America you dont have to learn English they will translate everything for you, they will give you free food, free rent, free medical assistanceand you dont have to worry about any of the laws because all you have to do is go to a church and set up residency and the parishoners will harbor you if you break any of them."
Posted by Fredmertz on August 23, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
laurarmc, The laws, "Stupid" or not, are the laws. They must be enforced. She knew the law and broke it anyway. It might be hard to get a Visa to come here but that doesn't mean you break the law and come here anyway. If this story was about an American in Mexico do you think the Mexican Goverment would be understanding? No way.
Also again calling people names "Nativists" doesn't help your argument. Just because people want the laws enforced doesn't make them bad people.
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terraz=
In the first place, I would never hire an illegal to take care of my house, or even babysit my dog, or wash my car !!!
Hell, all those vegetables and fruits would get picked somehow. What about our prisoners, put them to work in the fields. Some one stated, take some of the lower level prisoners to work in the fields, chain gang style. Save the farmers money, lowers prices for food, less jobs for illegals. Problem solved? What a good idea.
All we are stating here, those who come here, need to come here legally, work and pay taxes like the rest of us. Stay off welfare and food stamps. If not, they have to go back home, regardless of the living conditions in their homeland. There is a right and a wrong way of doing things, and this is wrong. I know this is just one person and probably a beautiful person at that, but this is one person then it is another person and so on.
How was it her husband came here without his family? If he came here legally, why didn't the whole family get legal papers? Or was he here illegally and did what he needed to do to be legal. Why didn't she just wait and do what she needed to do? If she did, we wouldn't be on this post right now, and she and her family would be living happily ever after. The law is not seperating this family, they did it themselves.
Sorry, the whole family knew the consequences in the first place and shame on the church for helping someone break the law.
Oh, the whole "Imagine" thing is appreciated, but not going to happen. Go to Europe and cry I want to live here, I have a right to live here, get free food and housing, oh, and let me bring my family later. Not going to happen!!!!
Posted by jamaro099 on August 23, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Qutoe: "Hell, all those vegetables and fruits would get picked somehow. What about our prisoners, put them to work in the fields."
The question to ask then is: Why has the never happened (other than in isolated cases)? Why is it that when we want cheap labor we find someone to exploit? First slavery, then Chinese railroad workers, Japanese and Filipinos worked the fields before Hispanics at the turn of the 20th century, then the Bracero program, now illegals.
In fact, when Cesar Chavez was fighting for LEGAL, AMERICAN field workers' rights, it was the American land owners who started bringing in illegals.
Still happening today. If you hire them they will come.
It is easy to say "I don't hire illegals, I do my own yard work, etc. etc". But the fact is as a group, they came here illegaly, and WE as a society hired them, illegaly.
Posted by ironwoman on August 23, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the United States responsible for sheltering illegals because Mexico is a third-world country?
Are we supposed to have open arms to all of them who wish to come to this country? I would love to if they respected the land, the community and our language.
This woman needs to go back to her country with her family. Bottom line. She is not legal here and the Church is wrong for harboring her.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 23, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Her husband and three kids are american citizens! They own a home, pay thier own mortgage. She is married to a American citizen ,this should all be taken into consideration. Why should he have to uproot and move his family? This is his wife. There has to be some exceptions to the law. Sure she broke it by coming back BUT tell me how many of you would stay away from you children and not try to get back? She is not taking any of your tax dollars.
Now if the Catholic Church is harboring rapist that is just plain wrong. BUT I haven't heard anything of this sort or read about it.
Posted by chair on August 23, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As I understand our Constitution, churches are legally no more than tax-exempt businesses. Where, legally, enters the concept of "sanctuary?" The migras should enforce the law equally -- no churchly exemptions.
Had Liliana gotten herself a student visa (she does speak English, does she not), she could have applied to remain as the wife of an American citizen. Scads of Asians manage to do this!
Just because Canadians and Mexicans are next-door neighbors should not give them special entitlements over more distant immigrant visa applicants. It would help that visa applicants desiring longer stays than a vacation visit be required to speak English BEFORE they apply for the visa. I agree with other posters that our government must stop supplying official materials in languages other than English.
As for our schools, English-only and use the Catholic school methodology of getting students taught correctly -- and fairly. My wife is a first-generation Hispanic who spoke only Spanish until she entered school. 12 years later she spoke fluent English, attended higher schools both in Mexico and America, retired as an Army officer -- she followed her father's example: He immigrated legally most desirous of becoming an American, owned his own successful business, saved money, bought a house, reared and privately schooled many children, participated in building and contributing to our great nation never reaching into the public dole.
I know many of these, too.
We must reject what greedy campaign contributors desire. All that's required is that we, the legal residents and citizens, participate in our governance as avidly as we follow our sports and Hollywood heroes.
Let's outlaw campaign contributions from other than registered voters -- no PACs, no lobbyists, no corporate or corporation-influenced money. Voters need facts, not glory shows coupled with inane TV and radio ads.
Posted by jill on August 23, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Would they shelter an ugly old fat male illegal alien or only the beautiful Liliana from being returned to her homeland? Newsflash: She broke the law when she came here ILLEGALLY. How big is the United Church of Christ? Because there's plenty more where she came from. This church shouldn't get any tax breaks as it is breaking the law and apparently expects us hardworking taxpayers to foot the bill for all these illegals. Unbelievable!
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jamoro=
I get your point and your are right. The people/companies hiring illegals are as big a problem and should be fined and jailed for doing this as well. Thank you for pointing that out.
I have to get on with my day now. Have a good day. :)
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't resist...Good point Jill.
Posted by Freedom1 on August 23, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Same old stuff. Poor Liliana, her husband and kids. Separated by our silly immigration laws. Such nonsense. As I understand it she wasn't married when she came here illegally the first time. Knew full well that one way to impede deportation is marrying an American and giving birth here. Dah! This get published in every pamphlet that Mexico hands out to facilitate illegal immigration. Well known around the world for that matter. And then used by the sancturary movements to make sure that family separation can be used as another reason to move forward with "comprehensive immigration reform" - code words for just one more amnesty. Pretty soon they won't have to worry about returning their Third World country of birth since they will have turned this country into one!
Posted by caokie on August 23, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where to start, if she were white and selling medical marijuna the Simi police would be falling all over themselves trying to help the DEA to arrest her. But she is from Mexico and they are scared of her and the Mexican goverment. Dont get them mad, our elected officals need to get off their knees in front of Mexico and enforce our laws. How can we have reform of our laws when we dont enforce them in the first place.If we dont fix this we will be the most powerful 3rd world country on the planet. There are places in Oxnard that if you woke up there you would think you where south of the border. I am going to stop here, but we need to adopt the laws Oklahoma has, over 100,000 illeagls have left the state since they do enforce the laws
Posted by mikeb6804 on August 23, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
laura -- you are all wet. Don't call law abiding citizens paranoid. Immigration laws do need to be reformed, but amnesty is not part of that reform. Your remark about Save Our State people is more than stupid. If you will kindly leave your individual head up "you know where," that will be good. Then you'll be no bother to the rest of us.
Posted by hkl22325 on August 23, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The bottom line is that if the US Govt wanted to do something about it would have already done so years ago. The US knows that illegal immigrants help provide billions and billions of dollars each year for the US economy.
W/o them the price of
foods,gas,clothes ect would be much higher than it already is. People say that they would work the type of jobs the illegals do, but you know darn well they wouldn't. It's backbreaking work that nobody would want to do for more than two days-and the people who hire them know it.
Do you really think the people who hire illegals to clean their houses, take care of their kids, cut their lawns would really want to pay someone who is here legally the wages they really should be paid? I think not, that's just the way it is. The US benefits from illegals in more ways than you think. If the US govt wanted them to stay out they would have done so already. Remember you are talking about the same US government that was wants you to think they had no idea of the plot to kill president Kennedy or that they didn't assist on 911. Please give me a break people, wake up already.
Posted by sparks240 on August 23, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AnnaWhaat, You must not have been reading about the Catholic Church harboring child molesting clergymen. They move them around to avoid procecution, hide their records, or flat refuse to turn them over. Cardinal Roger Mahoney has done all these things, and it has cost the church millions of dollars. The church is a corrupt orginization.
Posted by NavalAviator on August 23, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She is being given sanctuary by a Protestant church with a decidedly Catholic statue of our Lady of Guadalupe in the background of the photo. Ah, the irony, especially when the notion of Sanctuary originated in the Catholic church long before the Protestant Reformation.
Liliana is good at this folks; even to the point of posing for the photograph in a "Madonna" like pose with her male child on her lap and the Lady of Guadalupe in the background. Even Michelangelo would consider taking up chisel and mallet with this one. This created association and symbolism to too over the top even for the Star (Free Press) newspaper.
This young lady is very good at roll playing and appealing herself to those who would be appealed to. Good people, citizens all, like Shakespeare’ Bianca in Taming of the Shrew (and for the same reasons)“She bears watching”.
Posted by terryt6666 on August 23, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am totally against illegal immigration. So if you "white guys" will go back to Europe, I will then be able to leave the reservation.(I'm tired of circling your wagon trains and serving as canon fodder.)
Posted by lilmamma on August 23, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't she tired of living in a sanctuary. Doesn't she want a normal life for her and her family? Out of respect for herself and her family they should all go back to Mexico and lead normal lives. lets put aside all the immigration mumbo jumbo and make this about the kids. What about the kids??
Posted by UncleRico on August 23, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, lots of vitriol here, especially from those of you advocating that the entire family be relocated to Mexico. In case it escaped your notice, her husband is a naturalized CITIZEN and her children were born in the United States. That makes them CITIZENS as well. You may not like that, but that's the way it is. So, on what possible grounds should the husband and the three kids be sent to Mexico? Since it can't possibly be because they are not U.S. citizens, advocating such a position must be based upon something else. Hmmm, what do you suppose that might be? Oh, I get it! Nevermind.
Seig Heil!
Posted by NavalAviator on August 23, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point UncleRico. I wonder why the husband has not filed for a spouse immigration visa? They are certainly qualified, it would seem. Think that it could be her illegal entry . . . . ?
Everyday people file for spouse visas . . . . from the country of the alien. There is no provision for filing for immigrant status if the alien is in the Uniited States illegally.
How about she goes home and they file for a visitor visa (B1/B2) visa for her. Then she comes here on the visitor visa and they retain a visa and immigration visa attorney. The attorney files for an adjustment of status of the B1/B2 visitor visa to a spouse visa. How about they follow the law . . . we are a nation of laws, not of peoples' wishes.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on August 23, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will tell you what I think is funny.
A Kansas catholic school school was sued by spanish speaking students because of a policy of english-only. The reason that the policy was created was because a spanish student, who was bulling other students, was talking about his plots speaking spanish, to hide the plans from others.
The parents of these thugs thought is was perfectly fine and the catholic church was abusing their rights, so they sued.
Serves the catholic church right. The saying goes "all good deeds don't go unpunished"
To bad the church won, if they lost it would of been a sign from god. I guess.
Posted by kelly13 on August 23, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She didn't come here with her family when she snuck across the border all those times. She had no problem leaving her family then. People in Mexico leave their kids and family all the time so they can illegaly come here. Why is it so hard to go back without the family? And the family can go with her anytime they choose. If they don't want to seperate the family, just pack them up and go.
If seperating the family is the most horrible thiing this gal can think of, what is she doing right now? It said just her and her son lived in the house.
Back to basic common sense...build the fence, secure our borders and enforce our laws.
We are loosing our law abiding country by letting these sanctuary situations exist. We have to stop making excuses for everyone that breaks the law and gets caught. I don't want to live in a corrupt third world country.Mexico is what it is because the people made it that way. Is that what we want here? Not me.
Posted by jill on August 23, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CatInAHat - Re your description of "the Madonna pose" in the photo. I thought the same thing. She's either working it or the photographer had her pose like that. Sorry, but it's not pulling on my heart strings. Our laws are put in place for a reason. If we didn't have them, we would be in the same shape as the third-world countries and in more chaos that there is already. These illegal aliens are breaking our state and country. I'm all for legal immigration, but we need strong politicians. Any politician who will actually do something about this problem has my vote and it looks like many others' votes as well.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on August 23, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
High_society,
I think your stats may be correct for the US as a whole but what about California?
The people on food stamps are listed on the california government website by ethnic group but curiously Hispanic is left out. Are there no hispanics in California? Maybe they are in the undetermined group.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on August 23, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Liliana,
You said you asked god for a solution.
He just spoke to me, he said turn yourself in to the police. He also said have all participating church members arrested for aiding and ebedding a criminal.
God also said that why are Americans so scared to send illegals back? They don't pick your vegetables here, the vegetables are shipped in from places like Equador and other parts of South America. Have you actually been to a supermarket? Heck, we don't even get local avocados.
Posted by oxnard_citizen_805 on August 23, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I blame the illegal immigration mess on the government of Mexico. Obviously Mexico is not doing anything to prevent illegal crossings into the U.S. and they scream bloody murder when the U.S. is protecting herself by building a security wall. However when it comes to their southern border with Guatemala....immigrants coming from Guatemala are beaten, robbed and who knows what else. Obviously Mexico is very interested in the cash flow coming in north of their country.
Posted by oxnard_citizen_805 on August 23, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the U.S. is short of people working in the agricultural fields or manufacturing....why not use the thousands of criminals that are housed in jails and prisons? Make them useful in our country instead of sitting in their cells watching tv or excercising in the yard. Make them pay their debt to society. Or is that cruel and unusual punishment?
Posted by ineelb4no1 on August 23, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
high_society use some common sense!
Of course their are more whites on welfare compared to Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other! Because there are MORE whites in the U.S. than others! Just like there are more traffic accidents involving cars than motorcycles....there are MORE cars on the road than motorcycles! Hispanic is not a race anyway. Geesh!
Common sense just can't be taught, but averages were taught in elementary school.
Posted by UCSBguy on August 23, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TarrazAngelz lol did you even read what you said? I don't think you wanna see Krishna marching anywhere. Unless there's such thing as a baby with blue skin.
ok tarrazAngels you can stop quoting john lennon now. You're just an anarchist.
"you eat fruit, vegetables, enjoy bouquets of flowers, eat on clean dishes in resturants, enjoy clean restrooms in public places, say a prayer of thanks to the Hispanic population who does all the dirty work for an arrogant population whose ancestors were immigrants, once, also" - that's debatable. Go worship hispanics then.
Posted by ineelb4no1 on August 23, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vcsexplorer11-
In the case of the Catholic school being sued:
1-It's a Private Catholic school, not taxpayer funded.
2-Any private instutition can initiate any laws or rules they wish.
3-All parents and students knew and agreed to the rules before registering at the school. Which is why the school won.
4-The Spanish speaking (bilingual) troublemakers in question were trying to instigate trouble and hiding that by speaking in a language the others didn't understand which was against the rules.
Those parents just taught their Spanish speaking kids that it's ok to break rules you don't like, and lawsuits are frivilous.
"Serves the Catholic church (school) right?" ??
Is that the kind of kids/parents we need in this country?
baldwin2008.com
NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES!
Posted by caokie on August 23, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We could stop illegal immgration for good. Just fine the Mexican goverment from NAFA for every illegal from Mexico caught north of the border. I bet you will have Mexican troops just south of the border tomorrow. Because there money talks and BS walks. Several people here have advocated not enforceing federal laws, suppose some one painted a swaskika on the wall of the chruch would they be charged with a hate crime, while at the same time the chruch can assist someone in violating other federal laws. You know they would be (as they should be) but because she is from Mexico they will not dare arrest her. They are scared that Calderon will come up here and smack the badges right off their chests . One more question which I have asked here at least 5 times over the last year or so. It has yet to be ansewered. How come someone who refuses to learn english and just speak spanish, they are within their rights. But someone will speaks english and does not want to speak or learn spainish is branded a racist.
Posted by UncleRico on August 23, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sgraven- uh, hello! Your solution to a violation of immigration law is arson and assault? Are you freakin'serious? You're dangerous and need to be reported to the authorities.
Posted by ineelb4no1 on August 23, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
caokie, it's called "pro-illegal ignorance". The ones yelling "racist" are the ones who have no other arguement and know they're on the losing end.
Stop Illegal Immigration - Make your voice heard! Fax Congress for Free from your desktop.
www.numbersusa.com -fax congress free!
www.alipac.us
www.fairus.org
www.capwiz.com/caps/home/ -fax congress free!
Posted by jill on August 23, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To whoever said, "say a prayer of thanks to the Hispanic population who does all the dirty work for an arrogant population whose ancestors were immigrants," make that ancestors who immigrated here LEGALLY. There's a difference, you know. It's amazing how pro-illegal immigration people seem to avoid the "illegal" part of the equation. People from other countries seem to be capable of immigrating here LEGALLY and LEARNING ENGLISH. I am sick and tired of my tax dollars being spent on every single government document also being printed in Spanish. Enough already!
Posted by ironwoman on August 23, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UncleRico-
Before you start singing "Imagine", just remember that our prison system has about 19000 inmates who are facing deportation after they serve their time. Cost: $35500.00 per inmate per year. You do the math. AND the prison population which is around 162,000, 39% are Hispanic.
Illegals who commit crimes should be housed in low-end prisons funded by the Federal Government and not the responsibility of the State's budget.
Posted by opns on August 23, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Lets burn down the church. and then see where dumb b---- runs to." - sgraven
YOU ARE SICK IN THE HEAD. i sure do hope someone is listening and watching and will do something about your comment. you ought to be jailed even for the thought. you are despicable. that is a place of worship and you have the audacity of the thought. i believe most of the people commenting here would not condone your thoughts. you have the thoughts of a killer and a murderer. people have their opinions frustrations and comments, BUT YOU are not the normal here.
Posted by ironwoman on August 23, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UncleRico- Imagine is an awesome song and I wasn't trying to belittle you.
Posted by UncleRico on August 23, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ironwoman- no offense taken.
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oxnard_citizen=
Why not use criminals housed in jails and prisons to work in fields? The answer is it would be cruel and unusual punishment. Just as people say it is cruel to send criminals home who come into our country illegaly. It is like they have more rights than we do and more benefits.
What about our rights as tax paying citizens? We just keep paying and paying, and this keeps going on and on. Any politician has my vote too to get this mess straightened out. Times are hard and I am sick of hearing about people getting a free ride.
Terraz=
Are you a tax paying citizen? If you are, you should be concerned that people like this are living scott free off YOUR hard earned money as well. As long as they can, they will continue to live that way, while our elderly and disabled people who live here all their lives and worked here are struggling to make ends make and can't get decent health care without paying money out of their own pockets, that they don't have, for a supplemental insurance. What is wrong with that picture?
Posted by cassandra2 on August 23, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, my, it was just settling down. No more Nazis, nativists, English only, and so on behaving badly, and good old Star with an election looming stirs up the raw meat issue.
This is a legal issue. The feds know where she is. Anyone in bullhorn distance knows. Why not let due process settle it and give Simi-ans some rest from the hassle?.
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
opns=
I just saw that comment by sgraven, it was so small I missed it.
sgraven=
Even though some of us don't agree with what is going on, your comment is totally inappropriate!!! That is a threat and that kind of threat is a federal offence. You need to think before you speak. You are a sick puppy!!
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, That really upset me, I need my spell check too. I mean offense.
Posted by Rocket81 on August 23, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That church is a big JOKE! The law enforcement is even a bigger JOKE. Not a funny one either. Why not put all illegal immigrants in all the churches and have free room and board. And stay there. Just a completely stupid situation.
Posted by capt_jack on August 23, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually feel sorry for the baby. What the heck did he do wrong to get such negative attention? But this woman obviously doesn't give a hoot about him. What is she going to do, live there for the rest of her life?
Sad story but she needs to wait in line. It's a burden now to help EVERYONE.
Posted by srcheek on August 23, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What part of ILLEGAL immigration are you supporters of Lilianna not comprehending? Also, she has an English tutor three times per week and she's lived for one year at this church but she still needs a translator?
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 23, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Star for removing that despicable remark by SGRAVEN. I hope you banned him/her as well.
opns,
For next time, you can click on suggested removal and star will remove the comment, if it is in violation of the user agreement.
Posted by NowHearThis on August 23, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This story is nothing more than the STAR's promotion and condoning of illegal alienism.
Posted by Face on August 24, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember Clinton taking Elian by gunpoint out of his family's arms in the middle of the night, funny the libs don't want to talk about that. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/04/22...
Posted by opns on August 24, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
keepin_it_real -
I wonder if he was reported to the authorities by the Star. They should, anyway. Should my comment be removed too, due to the cut and paste of his line in ""? I'm going to try.
Thanks
I'm
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 24, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
opns,
Good morning...
No, you weren't making the threat, you were just refering to the threat someone else made. Besides, if the Star thought it was inappropriate, they would have removed it.
Have a good day....
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 24, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
opns,
I would hope the Star would have reported this to the authorities, but the person may not have put in his/her real information when he/she set up the user name anyway. If they did report it, we will never know about it.
Posted by opns on August 24, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
keepin_it_real - Thank You.
I tried having it removed twice, just because it's there. I regret doing this. How foolish i was. But so thank you for understanding
and you too
have a good day, and
Happy Sunday
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 24, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
opns,
Don't worry about it. Last night I clicked on the suggested removal on his comment and it took a while before they removed it. Yours is ok, I am sure the moderator read all the comments and if they felt any of the others were inappropriate they would have been removed them too. I'm sure they know you just copied and pasted it.
Posted by jill on August 24, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
srcheek said, "Also, she has an English tutor three times per week and she's lived for one year at this church but she still needs a translator?"
Yeah, srcheek, It's like they can speak English until they have to answer important questions, then it's, "Oh, no hablo Englis!"
Posted by JEH on August 24, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont understand why the church is supporting this. This woman should stop wasting the tax payers money and go back to mexico. What makes her so special that she is exempt from the immagration laws? Because she married a man who became a naturalized citizen? And had children that no doubt are receiving welfare and other things that tax payers money goes towards? Yes I agree as a mother I would do anything to make sure I was with my children. If I was going to be deported I would not want to be away from my children, so my family would go with me to mexico. She is being selfish and putting her family through this hardship, for what exactly? To prove a point? Is her point: I fought the law, and the law won, but Im more important than everyone else and laws dont apply to me. I like to waste the cities money, because Im selfish. Then Id say she made her point.
Posted by UCSBguy on August 24, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i notice how come she always makes that face like a puppy died in front of her.
does she sit there on that fluffy couch and make that face everyday? i say lets put a smile on that face.. why so serious???
Posted by chumash1962 on August 24, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thats right all of you should go back to where you came from
Posted by axel718 on August 24, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about the other 8 million illegal aliens infesting the state?
Posted by archer on August 25, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This 'innocent mother' was deported TWICE, on the third time came back and married had her child here, and then did not show up for her immigration court hearing. A blind man can see what she was doing...laws don't apply to this 'mother'. What a role model for her kids. Child welfare should be called. She is no different from a child abuser or the smallest child should be with the father instead of her using the kid as a human shield for sympathy.
Disgusting.
Another eye-witness new's article about the last church protests LINK:
http://valleynews.com/TheValley/Stori...
Posted by Tim_Othy on August 25, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! After reading the posts of all the pro-Liliana people, all I had to do was "sneak" (violate Federal Immigration Laws) my wife across the US/Mexico border and everything would been fine.
I guess I did it the wrong way by hiring an Attorney ($1,500) paying all the fees for a K3 Visa ($350), paying for the medical test/services, Police background check, paying for the visa itself ($131) and flying to a US Embassy in South America ($880). And YES my Wife speaks english.
Oh Wait! Liliana is "special" because she came from Mexico!
I have NO sympathy for this woman. She knew she was violating the law when she came here. And if I remember correctly, she was NOT married and did NOT have children when she came here. Send this woman back to Mexico! She knew this could happen and SHE and SHE ALONE put her family in this situation!
Posted by opns on August 25, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
archer - yeah, pretty sneaky huh? How sad for the children. WOW!! Appalling. I didn't know this.
In otherwords, sneaky to getting in, sneaky to get a husband, and sneaky to have children. Geez.
That sound very very criminal to me.
Posted by getreal on August 25, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no sympathy for this woman. She knew she was breaking the law many years ago but continued to do so. Now she wants to be "free" because she has kids? I don't think so. Do the crime, pay the time. I won't rest the issue of illegal immigration until I can stop pressing one for English.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 25, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First - Stop having kids until you get your life together and your US citizenship!
Second - Her husband is a naturalized citizen. Their three children were born in the United States. (why can't he take care of them?)
Third - She is a straight up liar and a cheater!!! We don't want your kind here! Go HOME!
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on August 25, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Aren't MOST people in the U.S. "anchor babies"? Really...or do we get to pick and the start date and ethnicity of when we call someone an "anchor baby" and when we don't?
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 25, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just dont understand how you can call her kids anchor babies when thier Dad is a US Citizen?
Posted by archer on August 26, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mexico has always been the laughing stock of Hispanic America. Hispanic American countries have a great saying, "Poor Mexico, so far from God, so close to the United States".
Sheesh, reading some of the assinine pro-outlaw posts here; I hope this idiot thing is just your act. Cuz, it's real convincing reading.
Posted by srcheek on August 26, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that racism stinks but that is not the issue here. The issue is that "Lilianna" snuck across the border more than once illegally. She has remained her illegally. It's nice that her husband and children are legal citizens but that does not erase her crime or maker her a legal citizen. She broke the law, she should have to go through the process legally. She has no one to blame for this situation but herself. If she is deported without her children, that is HER fault. The church should not be condoning and encouraging her crime. It will be heartbreaking for her children if they cannot have their mother with them but those would be the circumstances of the situation she has placed herself and her family in.
Posted by bp1721 on August 26, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This woman is not a criminal. She is a mother and a wife. I would rather her and other immigrants like her to become citizens and stay than our natural born citizens who are real criminals. She has done nothing wrong to anyone else, she has not harmed a soul. She deserves her freedom and her children deserve their mother.
Posted by bp1721 on August 26, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do unto to others as you would have them to unto you. Love one another in all that you do.
I do not see love in America anymore. Our ancestors worked so hard to make this country free for their posterity. We have been a discrace to them. Where is the unity? Where is the love? Where is the acceptance? Where is the freedom? Everybody has the right to apply for citizenship. If you cannot accept that than I suggest you start your own country based on communism.
Posted by chumash1962 on August 26, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
camdad you are a very unhappy man
Posted by moorparkman2000 on August 26, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That picture is such propaganda. You see, we have LAWS here that need to be FOLLOWED. Law's aren't written to be broken, they are written to be followed. She knew what she was getting into. Shame on everyone for politicizing this...there is no politics when it comes to the law. We need to build a 50 foot high fence with night vision cameras, a vehicle barrier, and radar...so people will come in the right way. If we need to adjust immigration quotas to do that...so be it. I also think everyone that comes in should at least make an effort to naturalize and acquire our culture and language like so many earlier immigrants sought to do (my great grandparents). We are a NATION not a fragmented populace...see European Union for that, or the Austria-Hungarian empire...look at what happened to them.
Posted by bp1721 on August 27, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Camdad - You are the murderer of LOVE!!!!!!!! The murderer of PEACE!!!!! The murderer of UNITY!!!! You are a DISGRACE to AMERICA!!!!! You should be BLACKLISTED!!!! You are the epitimy of PARANOIA!!!!!
Posted by opns on August 27, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bp1721 - we are busting at the seams due to overload, all people are asking, is that the process be kept in order. This country was built on Socialization, and social order is not being kept by the laws in place. The disgrace I see is that we have so many people loosing their homes, no medical care, transients and children living under overpasses, prison overload, you name it - (we as a society are in the negative times) are you blind to reality. Why should people be blacklisted only because we want social order and to keep the laws in place.
that was another era, and we need to reform to the new age of our trials and tribulations, if it means taking proper action to keeping social law and order?.
I don't understand you.
Posted by eduardocenter on August 27, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is one illegal alien that happens to be married to a legal one; with three children now. To be this outraged about an otherwise fine family tells more about the folks complaining than the inadequacies of the system. There are times when solutions are not simple: of course some folks are set in their ways and don't want to hear that. The law is the law. Hmm. Yes. Let me go get that Negro slave for you master (circa 1850). You can't vote here! (women circa 1900). You can't be a golf member here (Blacks, including Tiger, circa 1990, cypress point). Go round up that guy calling himself the Son of God; no, better yet just give him a kiss, we'll do the rest. Yes, I think breaking up a family is kind of contrary to good laws in any country--but I might be reaching here. Lastly, I'd like to thank this church, it's members, and Simi Valley in general for being the kind, good folks of any color, religion, or ethnicity that I come across 99.9% of the time when I travel this great country.
Posted by dsmohler on August 28, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Liliana says, "I live day by day. I ask God to bring a solution." I have the solution for her - stop breaking our laws and go back to Mexico.
Posted by dsmohler on August 28, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CarpCoyote - so if you don't believe in supporting illegal imigration, you must be a white ultra-conservative. Just another example of those that claim racism are the biggest racists of all.
Posted by archer on September 3, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People who want to make this
about 'race', 'nationality' or 'culture' merely display their own sick rascisn or defensive race guilt. This is intellectually dishonest and displays more of that olde progressive liberal thinking that there is no right or wrong on laws, today.
This illegal alien is still an outlaw and the authorities will have the last say over her in the USA. She is now living out her self-imposed jail time at the church with more jail time coming in the future.
Why don't all those liberal bleeding hearts pro-lilianna folks so aggressively posting here volunteer their personal homes for her to move and live in? They won't! Because it's just liberal bloviating.
Posted by vonim on September 4, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All illegal's should be sent home. It isn't American Citizen's responsibility to take care of the world. We need to take care of our own citizen's first. Starting with our poor, our senior citizen's, our veteran's, and our military who are still protecting us, etc.
But if the churches want to hide these people out, they should have to pay for everything...including their lawyers...the tax payers should not be responsible for those criminals. The sanctuary church's should also be held accountable to any other laws the illegal's break.
Furthermore, the church should lose their tax exemption status.
The illegal's willfully broke our laws, invaded our country, steal from the American people, ignore the laws that we have to follow, etc.
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