Posted on 05/05/2006 1:48:08 PM PDT by dennisw
Fears of federal authorities rounding up illegal immigrants also spur drops in attendance at churches. Fears of illegal immigration crackdowns in Tulsa have led to the cancellation of a major Cinco de Mayo festival this weekend as well as shrinking attendance at Hispanic churches.
"The rumor is very strong about immigration (authorities) picking up people," said Blas Gaytan, coordinator of the Cinco de Mayo event at Expo Square.
The rumors are unfounded, officials say, but the fear created by them is still affecting public gatherings.
Anticipating weak attendance at the Cinco de Mayo event, Gaytan and Expo Square officials decided to scrap it to avoid a financial loss.
"It was an economic decision," said Paula Crain, Expo Square's events coordinator. "The timing was just wrong."
The three-day festival, which would have started Friday, attracted between 10,000 and 15,000 people last year, Crain said.
Elsewhere in Tulsa and surrounding towns, churches with large Hispanic congregations have reported low numbers in the last few weeks.
"Attendance has dropped because there were rumors that immigration enforcement was here," said
David Medina, director of the Hispanic Apostolate Diocese of Tulsa. "The ones who came were afraid."
In the past few Sundays, only about half of the congregation turned out for Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2431 E. Admiral Blvd.
The same is true for predominately Hispanic churches in Tahlequah, Pryor and Stillwater, he said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Carl Rusnok said the rumors likely stem from a raid in late April when 1,000 employees of pallet manufacturer IFCO were arrested at more than 40 company sites nationwide, including one in Oklahoma City.
"There have been many, many rumors floating around the nation, and not just Oklahoma and Texas," Rusnok said in a telephone interview from Dallas.
Without commenting on specifics of the agency's enforcement policy, Rusnok said "criminal aliens" and businesses that hire illegal immigrants are a high priority.
"The point to be made is that anybody who is here illegally runs the risk of being identified, detained and deported to their country of origin," he said.
The number of illegal immigrants living in Tulsa is not known, but informal estimates suggest that about 35,000 people live here illegally.
Last year, ICE deported 167,700 people nationwide, with about 84,300 of those classified as criminal aliens. The majority of those who are deported are from Mexico, Rusnok said.
Tulsa immigration attorney Mark Leblang said it would damage the reputation of federal agents if they were to randomly raid churches and events where illegal immigrants gather peacefully.
"I don't see immigration (authorities) going to local Cinco de Mayo events or going to a church because that just gives the U.S. government a bad name," Leblang said.
Immigration agents have plenty of access to illegal immigrants through the court system and businesses, he said.
"They don't need to come out and raid a rally," he said.
Although the rumors of random crackdowns might be false, the fears exist, Leblang said.
They come at a time when immigration has been in the national spotlight with this week's "A Day Without Immigrants" work and business boycott.
A pro-immigrant rally in downtown Tulsa drew a few thousand people, but organizers says the numbers were lower than expected because of "migra" fears. Migra is a term Spanish speakers commonly use to refer to U.S. immigration enforcement.
Those fears have not stopped another Cinco de Mayo festival, set to be held in Tulsa at Plaza Santa Cecilia, 2160 S. Garnett Road.
"It's nothing but rumors -- there's nothing going on," said co-owner Elizabeth Miranda.
The event, which includes music, food and a carnival, is scheduled from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Mexican holiday celebrates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, in which the Mexican Army defeated French invaders.
The holiday often is confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is Sept. 15.
I'm beginning to dig this "rumor of raid" stuff.
I like it and chuckle when the illegal aliens get all paranoi paranoid about "La Migra". Why should they be comfortable in my country? Which they have invaded.
Now hold on - before anyone gets stupid with me - these people would not have stayed away from an event that was rumored to be the target of a raid by ICE if they were not criminal aliens.
It's not a rumor, it's real. ; )
Always good for a few good laffs
"'Attendance has dropped because there were rumors that immigration enforcement was here'"
I rumours can do that, imagine what actual law enforcement could do.
But, but, but...did they quit going to the free hospital emergency room for care, and quit sending their junior illegals to public school and move out of the Section 8 and other public housing? Are they still using those Food Stamps and WIC checks at the grocery store? No? Ni modo. They are not scared enough yet.
LOL
Who is kidding who? I love it!
I love Cinco de Mayo. I'll participate in anything that celebrates the defeat of the French.
They are armed with Beano, and have burrito-seeking missiles.
But I want you to keep this on the down-low, dig?
Look out! They're right behind you! lol
A pro-illegal-immigrant rally...
There. that's better.
They need to be reassured that they can enjoy their national holiday without fear of our country enforcing it's laws. (big ole /s/)
"I like it and chuckle when the illegal aliens get all paranoi paranoid about 'La Migra'. Why should they be comfortable in my country?"
AMEN
Also good for fun--- get a police scanner, camcorder and a cell phone, go park in front of a business where there are a lot of Hispanic employees. Call the Business from your cell phone with the police scanner playing loudly in the back ground. With your best LEO voice, ask for directions to their business. Video tape the fun to follow.
ROFL...same here.
That sounds almost as much fun as woodworking!
LOL!
I'd love to see that!
"I'm beginning to dig this "rumor of raid" stuff."
Ype - this is a great "grass-roots" effort that is starting.
Heard one radio host in L.A. talking his spanish-speaking listeners into calling the spanish radio talk programs and start those rumors.
Seems like fun to me !
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