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Local immigrant advocacy group takes its cause to the convention
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Some 29 hours after they departed from Oxnard in vans, 47 immigrants and advocates rolled into Denver for the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, weary but ready to fight for massive immigration reform.
"We're here and we're part of this country," said Alicia Flores, executive director of the Hermandad Mexicana family center and advocacy group in Oxnard. "We're part of the economy. We're asking for respect and to be treated with dignity."
And they're asking for legalization of the nation's estimated 12 million unauthorized immigrants.
The activists, who planned a candlelight vigil Tuesday night, are looking for promises of widespread change from both Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain. But Scott Frisch, a political science professor from CSU Channel Islands, predicted that each candidate will tread very carefully for fear some of his voters will migrate to the opponent.
"It's one of those issues that no matter what position you take, you're going to make a lot of enemies," he said.
The immigration reform contingent scrambled just to make it to Denver. After their bus didn't show up, they hustled to find three 15-passenger vans and departed at 5 a.m. Monday. They drove through the night to make it to the convention.
They'll be part of a group scheduled today to deliver an immigration plan called Unity Blueprint. They'll meet with delegates. They'll hold a rally Thursday and then start the long journey back to Oxnard.
Flores said Tuesday in a phone interview that she's still waiting to hear a definitive commitment from Obama regarding widespread reform.
"I'm saying if Obama says that he's going to work on legalization then he'll have my vote. If not, I can always change," she said, noting there are also plans to go to the Republican convention.
And while pundits predict candidates will continue to deal with immigration cautiously, some think the chances of comprehensive reform increase after the election. Either Obama or McCain could see immigration as a way to prove his ability to reach across the aisle, said Kareem Crayton, a USC professor attending the convention.
"There's political risk for anyone who tries to tackle it," he said. "But the rewards are quite great if they can manage a comprehensive reform package that satisfies both sides of the issue."
Posted by opns on August 27, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh boy, here we go...
Posted by whatever on August 27, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You wasted gas getting there people. There is more of us to stop your cause than there is of you to fight it. That's life.
Posted by whatever on August 27, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We're asking for respect and to be treated with dignity." Your asking us to respect law breakers, illegal aliens? You need another life cause it isn't going to happen.
Posted by Freedom1 on August 27, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Immigrant Advocacy Group?" Are they kidding. Someone ought to explain to them the difference between an "immigrant" and an "illegal alien." Now if they were to learn English that might help! I sincerely hope that neither Senator Obama or Senator McCain concludes that offering those who broke our laws for their own gain deserve our most prized possession - citizenship. But, I'm afraid that both of them are inclined to just look the other way. Hard to make such an important decision like this when you or your family members haven't been impacted by the dramatic changes in the lives of every day Americans that this invasion from South of the Border has caused. Oh, they reap the benefits - nannies and cheap labor to clean their houses and care for their lawns - but don't have to face the challenges of failing schools, gang ridden neighborhoods or compete for jobs with construction labor that is willing to work for 1/3 of the going rate. I sincerely hope that this "Immigration Advocacy" group can't find rides back to Oxnard! Let them stay in Denver!
Posted by HotModernMom on August 27, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One more reason to vote Democrat (sarcasm)
These law breakers are going to the DNC convention because they have been helped by the Dems before.
I can guarantee you they will not go to the RNC convention - they know better. Republicans generally have a tougher stance against illegal immigration.
Posted by lawson_wayne on August 27, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get out of my country you're not wanted, needed or welcome. If you want to be in the USA do it legally and you'll be welcomed, we have more legal immigrants every year than all other countries combined.
Posted by ebrockway on August 27, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Citizen;
Unfortunately, it's lose lose. McCain and Bush both have demonstrated that they're ready to wave the Magic Immigration Wand and make the illegal legal. Obama stands poised to do the same, I'll bet.
Posted by kelly13 on August 27, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this an immigration advocacy group or an illegal immigration advocacy group? They are two completely different subjects. I see the term immigrant and unauthorized immigrant but no one says illegal. You can't expect to fix the problem till you can identify it.
As far as demanding respect and to be treated with dignity, if you are illegal, do you respect the people and the laws of this country and treat them with dignity?
Posted by jill on August 27, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People from other countries manage to become citizens here the legal way. Go through the proper channels to be here legally. Why are illegal aliens from Mexico so special? Because they snuck in? So you think that because you've been here illegally, you're automatically entitled to be a U.S. citizen? Illegal aliens have such a feeling of entitlement - to everything! "Gimme gimme!"
Posted by lrgvanman on August 27, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh wow! Let's all break the law and then petition the future presidential hopeful!? Yeah, right! What have these people been smoking? I guess when they come from a corrupt country, they bring corruptive ideas with them! I am no way against all immigrants because we have too many who have actually contributed good but to break the law and then make demands is unacceptable and I hate to say, may they die trying with futility in mass.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 27, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"And they're asking for legalization of the nation's estimated 12 million unauthorized immigrants."
God bless America is all I can say! Come to this country ILLEGALLY and then have the nerve to ask to be legalized...just like that.
Can you even imagine 12 million Americans living ILLEGALLY in another country and then having the audacity to ask to be legalized?
We seriously are a country of enablers.
Posted by caokie on August 27, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a waste of ink and trees.All of these imgration groups want reform, how do you reform laws that are not even enforced. I would have more respect for them if they stated what they wanted the reform to be. But they won't what group will say that they want open borders none of them will but you know that's what they want.
Posted by Scapegoat on August 27, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's become a cliche I know. But darned if all problems in a city like Oxnard cannot be linked with illegal immigration. I know! Some of you are saying "come on" it can't be. But it is true. This problem has to be dealt with. The onus has to be placed on Mexico, THEY MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. As a collective voice, we have to keep yelling and hollering to these politicians, WE WILL NOT SHUT UP UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS UNDER CONTROL, and our cities and towns are returned to us. Congressman Gallegly wrote an essay for The Star recently. He laid it out. The costs associated with illegal aliens is killing California. Keep the faith.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on August 27, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If we could somehow eliminate the anchor baby provision, there wouldn't be enough illegals left to fill a bus.
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 27, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea right !!! Let them go to France or the UK or any other country. Let them say I am here illegally, I want free housing and free food and I have a right to be here. You would be in jail so fast your head will spin. But here it is discrimination. This is bass ackwards. Don't you think?
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 27, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the government needs to find out who are hiring these illegals and give them a hefty fine, something that will hurt their pocket books. No work, maybe they will go back home. Ya think?
Take the prisoners in our jails and put them to work in the fields, with strick oversight. It would probably help the economy too. Probelm solved.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on August 27, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
keepin_it_real, when during an investigation I surfaced a couple of illegals who were using somebody else's SSN's, the SS Administration would only verify that the names and numbers didn't match. We were able to learn through an inside source that one woman, a Mexican national, was using the SSN of an American child. That is where any sympathy I had for the employees died on the vine. When told that we were willing to prosecute for identity theft, the SS Administration admonished us, saying that if we took action, such as firing the employees, that we might get in trouble for violating their rights. They refused to assist us in locating the real owner of the SSN so that we could do something to initiate criminal proceedings. When there are mismatches, the SS Administration sends a letter to employers (Employer Correction Request) to notify them, but the letter says, in Spanish and English (I wonder why Spanish) that the employer can't take action because employee rights might be violated. It might just be a misunderstanding. I have such a form in front of me from one company at this moment. There are 42 SS number mismatches out of a total 49 employees at the company. Some employees have used more than one SSN during the course of the year.
I am documenting my findings and I plan to go public in a big way.
Posted by Rocket81 on August 27, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Round up all these lawbreakers and get them out of here. Put those who hire illegals at any capacity in jail. If you know somebody who hires them, turn the bastards in. Fine them as well, but lock them up. Its been so pathetic to see what has taken place in this country in the past years.
The quality of life has declined. Schools, housing, traffic, pollution, etc. What a freakin mess. One would have to be blind and deaf to say otherwise.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on August 27, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rocket81, please read my previous post. When an I9 is prepared using what appears to be legal documents doe identification, the employer has done his/her duty. If a mismatch is found, the Social Security Administration refuses to cooperate in any way to prosecute for identity theft, if such is the case. The company I noted above provides 30 days notice for am employee to get certification from the local SS office that the SSN is correct. If not done, the employee is then terminated if notified of a mismatch. However, zero cooperation in prosecution for identity theft by the SS Administration. The employers are sometimes caught between a rock and a hard place.
Even with anchor babies, we should return illegal immigrants to their country of origin. They can take their kids with them. Just because the anchor babies are U.S. citizens doesn't mean they have to stay here.
Posted by Scapegoat on August 27, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anchor babies. The problem is the misinterpretation of the 14th amendment.
Here is a great website:
http://www.14thamendment.us/
Read it, know it, get involved.
Posted by kelly13 on August 28, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can anyone call for reform of our immigration laws when the laws we have now aren't being used? We need to strongly enforce the existing laws and see how they work. If we don't like the results, then talk about change.
Are these people that are marching on Denver and other places the "people hiding in the shadows"?
Give me a break!
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