Border state

Arkansas Times ^ | 6-22-05 | Warwick Sabin

[bayourod]

[SNIP}...“When you hear illegal immigrants are accessing all sorts of public benefits, that’s just not true,” Gomez said. “Under law, people who are undocumented can only receive WIC [women, infants, and children] benefits — and that’s only because a child will be citizen when it’s born — and emergency care.

She also said “there are a lot of people paying into the system who can’t access the system,” because while taxes are deducted from the paychecks of undocumented workers, they are ineligible for the services those taxes fund.

People can only receive public benefits after working 40 qualifying periods, which is 10 years in a legal status.”...{SNIP}.,..

In Arkansas politics and media, illegal immigration and the state’s growing Latino population are provoking intense debates.

The recent legislative session illustrated two ends of the ideological spectrum. One side wanted to enlist the State Police in enforcing immigration laws and prevent immigrants from accessing state services. Other lawmakers tried to extend public college scholarship eligibility to the children of undocumented residents.

Despite these actions and the heated rhetoric, most Arkansas Latinos are oblivious to the tension they are causing.

“One word they use a lot is ‘tranquilo,’ which means ‘tranquil,’ ”

explains Carlos Cervantes. “The reason that they enjoy Arkansas is that they enjoy the small towns. They just feel real comfortable here.”

Cervantes is the owner of a recycling and technical equipment business who recently was elected Arkansas state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). He will take office next week, when LULAC holds its national convention in Little Rock.

That LULAC is bringing its most important annual gathering to Arkansas is an indication both of Latinos’ rising importance here and the attention that has attracted nationwide.

[HiJinx]

“One word they use a lot is ‘tranquilo,’ which means ‘tranquil,’ ” explains Carlos Cervantes. “The reason that they enjoy Arkansas is that they enjoy the small towns. They just feel real comfortable here.”

Not a whole lot of context here...is this a source that requires excerpting? What does any of this mean?

If I had to guess, I'd say it carries the same tone as the press reports coming out of Phoenix to explain why our Proposition 200 wasn't necessary. Is that the point being made in this article?

[HiJinx]

“Little Rock is the border between Mexico and the U.S.,” said the Rev. Julio Barquero, who operates the Centro Cristiano Fellowship in Sherwood, and is the LULAC state chaplain. “Not Texas anymore — Arkansas. Texas has been conquered by Hispanics.”

But his unfortunate choice of words, which might seem to confirm fears about illegal immigration, at least demonstrates the work that needs to be done to build effective Latino advocacy here.

Texas has already been conquered by Hispanics. I wonder if the citizens of the great state of Texas are aware of that?

[A CA Guy]

The less government gets involved in removing illegals, the greater chance the public will be willing themselves to open up a can of whoop-@ss on illegal activists.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Typical race pimp statement.

bayourod chose to leave that out...hmmm....

[Founding Father]

Texas has already been conquered by Hispanics. I wonder if the citizens of the great state of Texas are aware of that?

Those that live along the border are.

[Old Sarge]

SHHHHH!

They're not supposed to know...

[pfflier]

and emergency care.

Let me tell you about the "emergency care" issue in a border state.

My wife went to the emergency room in Yuma Arizona because she was running a 102 temperature and had very specific symptoms. (We told the staffers what the problem was because of my wife's medical history.) The waiting room was full (about 30 seats) and we were the only English speakers.

I'm betting also we were the only ones with insurance. That is because the clerk didn't ask but we volunteered my wife's insurance card. The clerk had to read the instructions on the card to use it.

It took three hours to see a doctor and he did every test under the sun: Chest x-ray (no cough), blood panel, urine specimen, and they started an IV. He spent a total of 35 seconds with her (the sum of two different visits to her cubicle) and confirmed what we knew, and told them. The bill was $250 in doctor fees and $450 in lab fees.

We walked out of there feeling that we just paid everyone's way that evening.

[HiJinx]

I know, I've been following the Sarco and Goliad posts, thanks to SwinneySwitch.

Judging from the comments of this person, the Hispanics are considering themselves conquerors now of CA, NM, and TX; with AZ, CO, several others to follow.

I'm a bit confused...I didn't think Aztlan included Arkansas. Maybe they're going to claim the territories explored by Spain in the late 17th Century, too. Look out Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi!

[Founding Father]

Nevertheless, Compadre is hopeful about the future for Latinos in Arkansas.

“The immigration system in the U.S. is not working, and it is causing troubles for immigrants and to society,” he said. “But there are many historic examples of things not working and people change it. One hundred years ago females couldn’t vote. In the 50s and ’60s, people of color could not eat in the same restaurants as whites. . . . What we believe is that [undocumented immigrants] are not criminals. Not having documents is a civil offense, not criminal. These people are helping us to build our society. Under the immigration laws we have, these people are suffering. We have to help them become good American citizens.”

Wrong. Not only are they criminals, they have no intention of becoming good American citizens.

[moehoward]

Is it that time of year already?? My how time flies. Guess we better get hankies ready for this seasons Illegal Alien tear-jerkers.

[mthom]

Yeah, Ill take Mrs. Gomez's of the Latino outreach for the catholic archdiocese on that. While shes trying to help illegals get identification and MORE government assistance. She obviously the final word on illegals recieving public assistance. Something that you support by the way. Bayourod you really are the worst advocate for their cause.

[South40]

Typical race pimp statement. bayourod chose to leave that out...hmmm....

We know he has a pro-ILLEGAL agenda. Isn't that what he was recently banned for?

[moehoward]

"I'm a bit confused...I didn't think Aztlan included Arkansas. Maybe they're going to claim the territories explored by Spain in the late 17th Century, too. Look out Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi!"

Didn't include Washington State or New Jersey either but both are up to their rumps in Illegals.

[HiJinx]

The whole country is up to their rump in illegals.

There's your 800-pound gorilla, for ya'.

[ozarkgirl]

#8

Very generous of you, treating everyone to a night out!

[commonasdirt]

From the article: "Politicians utilizing negative energy to favor themselves at the polls is despicable,” Hart said. “They are feeding a negative energy for our state. They are also manipulating people in their ignorance. That is very sad but it is very real.”

Gotta love that one. Enforcing the law is "Feeding a negative energy" LOL

[moehoward]

BUMP THAT!

[humblegunner]

Texas has already been conquered by Hispanics. I wonder if the citizens of the great state of Texas are aware of that?

Some of us might disagree with that.
In fact some of the blood that fought the first time is still in position.

[B4Ranch]

If you want to make people angry, lie to them. If you want to make them absolutely livid, then tell 'em the truth.