Posted on 03/25/2006 12:20:20 PM PST by Borax Queen
Senator's bill gives illegal entrants five years to leave the country -
Oscar Soto took the day off from his warehouse job Friday to come with his wife, two children, nephew, niece and mother-in-law to an immigrant-rights rally on Tucson's Northwest Side to stand up for himself and his family.
Oscar Cruz managed to get time off from his apartment maintenance job to stand on the front line of the protest at Sen. Jon Kyl's Tucson office, 7315 N. Oracle Road, and hold a cardboard sign with white spray paint that read: "Senator Kyl: No more walls." It rested on top of a sign that read: "Humanitarian Aid Is Never A Crime."
On Friday both were part of an estimated 500 boisterous protesters who hoisted signs, held U.S. and Mexican flags and chanted, sang and shouted when drivers honked in support.
Participants wore white stickers that had the rally's theme in black letters: "We are not the enemy, we are part of the solution" or "No Somos el enemigo, somos parte de la solución."
In Phoenix, an estimated 20,000 people marched to Kyl's office to protest, according to Phoenix police.
Thousands more took part in protests in cities across the country, staging school walkouts, marches and work stoppages.
In Los Angeles where 2,700 students from at least eight high schools and junior high schools walked out, fights broke out between black students and Hispanic students attempting to join the protest.
In Tucson, neither Cruz nor Soto — who have both lived and worked in the United States for more than a decade without permanent residency or citizenship — had ever been to a rally before. But they said they staunchly oppose recent immigration proposals like House Bill 4437 and a proposal from Sens. Kyl, R-Ariz., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, that they believe would make them criminals.
"We want residency," said Cruz, 48, who was born in Nicaragua and lived in El Salvador before arriving in the United States in 1985.
Cruz has been able to work on renewable visas under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act but says he wants a chance to become a legal permanent resident.
Mexican native Soto, 32, wants the same thing. He came here 10 years ago to work and said he pays taxes, obeys laws and respects the culture and government of the United States.
"We came here so they don't treat us like criminals," Soto said about participating in the rally.
Soto's two children, an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, are U.S. citizens who were born in this country. He and his wife, Jocabed Soto, are preparing to buy a house. They feel they are law-abiding and productive and deserve the chance to become citizens.
"It is not a crime to work," Oscar Soto said. U.S. citizens Marge and Bill Kinkead of Green Valley joined the largely Spanish-speaking crowd to let lawmakers like Kyl hear their displeasure.
"They deserve some way to come into this country and work without the fear of being sent back in four of five years," said Bill Kinkead, 73, who is a member of Humane Borders.
The Kyl-Cornyn proposal would give illegal entrants up to five years to leave the country. These illegal entrants could apply from their home country to return as temporary workers, or they could apply for permanent residency. House Bill 4437, passed by the House on Dec. 16, would create 700 miles of fence along the border, make living in the country illegally a felony and increase penalties for employers who hire illegal workers.
"We're getting fed up, particularly with the gentleman whose office is behind us," Bill Kinkead said. "I hate the fact that he represents Arizona in Congress." In a written response to Friday's rallies, Kyl didn't address the protesters as much as reiterate his stance on the issues.
"I have advocated for the adoption of a comprehensive plan that increases border security, provides a temporary-worker program, ensures enforcement of our laws at the border and at the workplace, and deals with those illegal immigrants already in the country," the statement said.
Democrat Jim Pederson, who is challenging Kyl for his Senate seat, issued a statement criticizing Kyl's proposal as a last-ditch election-year effort that "borders on fantasy."
He said marchers targeted Kyl's office because "they know that Jon Kyl's immigration plan is no plan at all. It's unworkable, partisan and needlessly divisive." He said he would offer a plan that addresses border enforcement as well as a way to deal with the people already here.
Jennifer Allen, director of the Border Action Network, called Friday's rally one of the biggest immigrant-rights rallies in recent Tucson history. Allen said 200 people showed up in December for a similar rally.
"People know that this is a historic moment and that the immigrant community is part of making history," Allen said. "That's why they are here."
Glenn Spencer, president of the American Border Patrol, which advocates for stricter border enforcement, watched and filmed the protest. He said the relatively small number of cars that honked represented the true sentiment.
Those who didn't honk "are the silent majority," Spencer said. "They do nothing and I think that's a reflection of the polls that show people want our borders controlled."
Cruz and the Sotos said Friday's rally, which concluded about 12:30 p.m., will make an impact.
"It will make them see how many we are and what we want," Jocabed Soto said.
she isnt legal, how can she become a citizen
"It is not a crime to work," Oscar Soto said.
However it is a crime to enter this country illegally.....not that it seems to matter much----sadly.
I'd give them 5 seconds then .45 rounds. Repel the invasion NOW!
You're right - to the elites running the country it completely doesn't matter what crimes illegal aliens commit. Only we sucker Americans need to pay for such things as car insurance and health insurance, obey the laws, and pay excessive taxes to support the schools, prisons, and highways 20 - 25 million illegal aliens use.
Isn't that nice? I'm beginning to believe this we may lose this battle.
He is here on renewable visa's. Has been for 21 years. Wouldn't you think in all those years he would have applied for his citizenship.
If our political hacks think they have more to fear from these illegal alien protesters than they do ordinary Americans, they are very much mistaken. Ordinary American citizens are far angrier.
If we make it very uncomfortable for employers to hire illegals - as HR 4437 does - the illegals will self-deport.
if they just enforce existing law that would be fine
It is. That's exactly what it is.
I hope America wakes up.
You know, I think you drove the nail on the head.
The DC politicians won't do a thing about these folks, no matter how much we stomp our feet. They are DC's answer to the dwindling of the Social Security and Medicare problem. Their able, working bodies will be able to provide in the (not so far) future.
My take on it, is Washington's warped and twisted perception on the whole thing.
I'm sorry, but what an lying AH.
There's no way I, as an American, could work in Mexico without a permit. And for that, you have to "do the dance" to get it.
From what I have seen so far, it appears the protest organizers may be about to receive a result far different from the one they are anticipating. I see a lot of anger building and absolutely zero support.
America is not obligated to be the dumping ground for the sewers of Mexico.
Sensitivity/Multiculturalism Training Camp for Czar!!
"According to FOX, thousands of them came from south and central America for the protests. I would love to know who paid to bring them here."
Oooh, now that makes sense given that the majority of legal latinos here in the US along with other legal immigrants frown on illegally entering the USA.
Remember how Rome fell, folks. Remember how Rome fell.
http://jednet207.tripod.com/PoliticalLinks.html
Been there.
Didn't take.
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