Posted on 06/27/2004 8:50:59 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Chanting pro-immigrant slogans and carrying handwritten signs with messages such as "We Do The Hard Work," hundreds of people marched through a mostly Hispanic section of downtown Saturday to protest a series of recent Border Patrol arrests of illegal immigrants. More than 420 arrests this month by a Border Patrol unit based in Temecula have produced fear among immigrants and allegations of racial profiling.
The Border Patrol said the unit has not arrested anyone in Los Angeles County and does not have the resources to do so, but many of the protesters Saturday were not convinced.
"There's more important things the government should take care of, like terrorism," said Tomas Nava, who came to Los Angeles from Mexico 10 years ago and hopes to become a U.S. citizen. "I have some sisters that are afraid to go to work."
Nava, who works in a shipping company and attends college classes at night, said workers are afraid of being deported and separated from their families. He has a work permit but worries about what would happen to his daughter and girlfriend if it expired, he said.
Angelina Casillas-Corona, president of the immigrant advocacy group Hermandad Los Angeles, said people targeted in the raids are only looking for better lives.
"Their only crime is looking for a job, having a job in another country," she said.
Border Patrol officials said they have received many letters and calls of support from the public about the Temecula-based Mobile Patrol Group, which consists of 12 agents who roam across 3,000 square miles.
More than half of their arrests this month were in the Escondido area of northern San Diego County. There have also been arrests in Ontario and Corona.
The Department of Homeland Security said the arrests were legal but violated policy because they were done without advanced authorization from headquarters.
Undersecretary of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson said he would review the activities of agents who carried out the raids. His spokeswoman, Suzanne Luber, said no disciplinary action was expected.
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This just shows how difficult it is to handle the illegal immigration problem, yet some complain that Arnold should already have solved this completely in his first six months.
They should increase the number of arrests so there's finally a self-deporting movement among the illegal aliens in California. Imagine what that alone will do for our state's standard of living and the economy here.
I always maintained that the place to enforce the law is at the border. Stop them from getting in.
BTW, those drones, which just started to patrol the border at Arizona may help and maybe they'll use them along the entire US-Mexico border.
I get sick of the "We do the hard work" BS. What? and Americans don't work hard? I've woked my tail off all of my adult life.Did illegals make this country strong and powerful? NO! They are here milking the wealth OUR parents help create.
Again, those sweeps look like a scare tactic ploy by Liberal members of the Border Patrol to get out the Latino vote....for the Democrats....and to make Liberal lawyers some money at the same time. How many of the few scapegoats caught in the sweep2 will actually be deported?
NOT!
Hey, Pedro, bring your cousins to LA!
"There's more important things the government should take care of, like terrorism," said Tomas Nava, who came to Los Angeles from Mexico 10 years ago and hopes to become a U.S. citizen. "I have some sisters that are afraid to go to work."
Open borders are equal opportunity borders for Mexicans as well as terrorists. Speaking of evil doers, lets discuss how many illegals have committed crimes here. And if your sisters are that afraid, the border crossings work both ways.
He has a work permit but worries about what would happen to his daughter and girlfriend if it expired, he said.
No need to worry, your girlfriend will be provided free housing, food, clothing, medical, and dental for herself and your illegitimate daughter. You daughter will have an excellent education (if she chooses to apply herself) and will be provided free lunches and will get a free pass to the college of her choice thanks to the taxpayers of the US.
"Their only crime is looking for a job, having a job in another country," she said.
At least she admits they're committing crimes. Psst, there are legal ways to obtain jobs in other countries.
The Department of Homeland Security said the arrests were legal but violated policy because they were done without advanced authorization from headquarters.
Oh puleez!
Border Patrol officials said they have received many letters and calls of support from the public
WTG!
The why don't they go south to Brazil or Argentina?
Because those countries aren't dumb enough to extend open arms and let them just waltz right in.
Illegal, people. Don't they have a word for that in Spanish? Illegal means you don't belong here and you're going to be arrested and sent back. What right do they have to sneak over the border when others who are going through proper channels have to wait forever for a resident visa?
Angelina Casillas-Corona, president of the immigrant advocacy group Hermandad Los Angeles, said people targeted in the raids are only looking for better lives.
"Their only crime is looking for a job, having a job in another country," she said.
Gee, with all the manufacturing jobs NAFTA caused to be sent to Mexico? I'm guessing working as a domestic pays more than making microchips?
The Department of Homeland Security said the arrests were legal but violated policy because they were done without advanced authorization from headquarters.
Undersecretary of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson said he would review the activities of agents who carried out the raids. His spokeswoman, Suzanne Luber, said no disciplinary action was expected.
The arrests were legal but violated policy? Now you have to get clearance from Homeland Security to patrol the border and keep illegals out of the country? Am I missing something in the subtext here?
ping
What, you mean you don't call YOUR boss and get permission to do your job every morning? Sheesh.
Were these signs in English and if so who wrote them? They can go back to Mexico and do some hard work --- Mexico needs some work -- a lot of work.
His daughter and girlfriend??? Not wife? I would guess this is so the girlfriend gets more welfare checks by staying an unwed mother.
If all the government handouts were cut off to the illegals and their anchor babies we would see some pretty big protests --- because not all are here to work.
Cood Catch NormsRevenge!
I read that too but as usual you are on top of the news in our hot little corner of the world.
Mexicans and other immigrants may work harder, but I have a list of Mexican workers who have not done their work satisfactorily around my home, and the total is now over $8,000 for simple jobs.
I now ask to see their "status" and identification - they just walk away.
If they laugh at the immigration laws of the country, why should they behave in lesser laws such as morality, honesty, getting here the right way, and paying taxes.
At the County Medical Center, the births are now 85% Mexican surname. This does not include the other maternity wards in the city/county areas. The child is now an American and as such finalizes the whole family's residency.
Mexicans now collect MediCal - which before was available from the state for Citizens only of the U.S. residing in California - but now illegal immigrants make use of this system and have overwhelmed it so the seniors in our county and probably the state are on waiting lists.
Ever try to phone any governmental numbers to help Americans out? They are overwhelmed with Mexican immigrants applying for assistance from birth to death. Ever read how the free health clinics are given for Mexicans only? They aren't on medical plans because they are working without benefits because they are illegal and their employers know it.
Is this good for the country? Baloney Enchilada.
I am an immigrant. I had to take a medical examination, have a job arranged ahead of time, bank account and family or friend sponsorships in the U.S. Even then it took me two years and a couple of trips back and forth from Canada to the U.S. I resent that others are now getting favored status because Vicente Fox counts on American money to beef up his economy ... he represents all that is crooked in Mexico - why should we expect the people to be any different?
I thought the system was based on equality and was certainly willing to wait my own turn.
Times have changed.
'I get sick of the "We do the hard work" BS.'
All I have to say is, work smarter, not harder.
"Mexicans and other immigrants may work harder, but I have a list of Mexican workers who have not done their work satisfactorily around my home, and the total is now over $8,000 for simple jobs."
A lot of jobs are hard work when you have no idea what the hell you're doing..even for simple jobs.
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