Posted on 05/10/2006 3:49:02 PM PDT by Dubya
uan Carlos Delira has a mortgage, car, bank account, credit card, cellphone and 401(k) retirement account. It does not matter that he's an illegal immigrant.
While Congress debates whether the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants should be deported, granted amnesty or allowed "earned citizenship," many U.S. institutions -- and some federal agencies -- already afford illegal immigrants privileges available to U.S. citizens.
Illegal immigrants turn to many nonprofits for help and can expect protection from law enforcement agencies and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which enforces workplace safety in many places where illegal immigrants work, such as construction sites.
They can find work at publicly financed day-labor centers, such as the one in Fort Worth. In Texas and several other states, they can qualify for in-state tuition at public universities and for state financial aid. They can also can get some scholarships.
Critics call such practices de facto legalization and worry that extending benefits to illegal immigrants removes the stigma of violating immigration law.
"They want to make illegal immigration a fait accompli," said Steven Camarota, director of research for the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington-based group that opposes illegal immigration. "The more benefits we extend to illegals, the more we make it seem normal."
Seeking benefits
Delira's benefits make him seem like any other American. The father of five belongs to a union, works as a welder and talks of getting additional training. He showed a visitor to his Arlington home how he laid the tile floor in his living room himself.
"If I was in Mexico, I would have only this whole room for my family if I'm lucky," he said.
Delira crossed the border when he was 14. He spent his first year in the United States working as a dishwasher and living under a bridge with other illegal immigrants. They cooked over an open fire and showered by blasting one another with hoses at a carwash.
Other illegal immigrants said their networks buzz with advice about how to overcome obstacles and where to go for help. Sometimes rejection means moving on to the next program or company that openly, discreetly or unknowingly serves people without legal-residency status.
Sometimes all that's required is a little extra paperwork. Illegal immigrants who want to qualify for in-state tuition at public universities must sign an affidavit saying they intend to become a citizen. Registering a car with the county requires filling out one extra form if the owner does not have a Social Security number.
George Allen, executive vice president of the Texas Apartment Association, said he knows of no law requiring identification for a lease. Some illegal immigrants said they end up paying a small bribe if they do not have the papers apartment managers ask for.
"I don't have documents, but I have money," said Jose Luis Flores, 38, who lives in an Arlington apartment with his wife and three children. Despite his status, Flores has been able to buy a car and cellphone and set up a bank account. He said he is now applying for a mortgage.
Flores said many companies are more interested in his money than his immigration status, and national research backs him up. The Pew Hispanic Center in Washington estimates that illegal immigrants have $180 billion worth of purchasing power.
Some experts say institutions and businesses recognize illegal immigrants because they can't wait for Congress to act.
"It's not done to be soft or to be nice but because it's practical housekeeping," said Tamar Jacoby, an immigration expert at the Manhattan Institute in New York.
She pointed out that there has been some backlash, such as voter referendums in California and Arizona on whether illegal immigrants should be denied benefits. In Georgia, a law enacted last month denies some state benefits to adult illegal immigrants.
In some cases, court orders have mandated that illegal immigrants be treated like everyone else.
A 1982 Supreme Court ruling guarantees illegal immigrants access to public education from kindergarten to high school. Supreme Court rulings in 1984 and 2002 say that illegal immigrants cannot be fired for union-organizing activities.
Mind if I barf?
I thought that if you lie on a mortgage application that it was a crime!
How can an individual open a bank account without a valid social security number?
As a legal citizen of the USA, I can get services without a legal social security number.
What am I doing wrong?
These signals, convey mixed purposes. This just encourages illegals to make their way, any way possible to the land of W and Hillary.
I'd be willing to bet that the "saint" featured in the article:
a. Had his offspring births paid for by the government, the hopsital and, by extension, you and me, and,
b. Qualifies and takes public assistance because he has five crumb-crunchers, has a wife who probably doesn't work and feels her role in life is to spit out more crumb-crunchers.
"Being illegal doesn't hinder privileges"
Nope being illegal has tons of benefits.
America is their pinata.
Bull hockey! If they intended to become citizens, they'd have done it the right way years ago.
I am so steamed! My husband is partially retired. I work ,with two bad knees (badly in need of replacement) ,to pay the mortgage ,and for our health insurance. We pay taxes ,car insurance ,property taxes ,etc.I cannot afford to take time off from work to have an operation ,because we have bills that we pay ,thankfully because we both work. I am tired of going to the grocery store ,seeing young Mexican girls ,who many appear to be 14 or younger ,with two or more young ones and one on the way.They look proverty stricken ,buy with food stamps and then leave in a Lincoln Navigator!Mexican flags fly from every other car lot that they operate.It's like being in Mexico You can't shop in a clothing store here ,and buy a decent outfit ,because the stores cater to the Mexicans . I want more than primary colors ,with glittery sequined overlay.We went to the San Jancinto Monument last year. Trash everywhere ,young Mexican children running unchecked all over the museum, Total disrespect.Last night ,O'Reilly says ,our border patrol agents calling over to Mexican border patrol ,letting them know the location of the Minutemen patrols.Or should I call them "vigalantees" ! I am shocked that our government would call them that.I love this country. I don't want to embrace their culture or them.If they miss their culture so badly ,stay in Mexico.
"I don't have documents, but I have money," said Jose Luis Flores
Gee, just like in Mexico. Viva mordida!
ping
I want them all EXTRACTED.
Sorry to hear about your knees - but trying picking strawberries 10 hours a day on top of paying a mortgage, health insurance, taxes, car insurance, property taxes, etc. - not all illegal aliens can afford to take time off from work to have an operation either.
Over 6 million illegal aliens have been expelled since Bush took office - is that not enough for you?
Mind if I join you? My father is a 87 yr old WW2 highly decorated B17 Pilot, he is unable to recieve Medical assistance to help with his Re-Hab hospital stay in Merced Ca, However I was just Informed by the admittance clerk at same facility that she had just ADMITTED a known ILLEagle to the facility who was recieving Medical, so yes Ill barf with you.
OH YES the proper notifications have been made.
And, what is the source for this number? Tap, tap, tap... I'm waiting......
Yeah, I'll **bet** the illegals are paying for health insurance, car insurance, etc. And, they **paid** for delivery costs for all their crumb-crunchers, too. Go ahead and believe that if you want.
Nobody is holding a gun to their head and forcing them to pick strawberries 10 hours a day. Citizenship has tremendous privileges, but... here's the part people like you probably cannot comprehend... Citizenship has obligations in order to partake of the privileges.
Fine point-however not all illegals have a mortgage ,pay taxes or pay for their own health insurance.
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