Posted on 04/07/2007 9:47:38 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Organizers expect several thousand people at an immigrant rights rally on Saturday, saying many illegal immigrants are angry about a White House plan that would grant them work visas but require them to return home and pay hefty fines to become legal U.S. residents.
Immigrant rights advocates say many of the area's illegal immigrants feel betrayed by President Bush, who they had long considered an ally.
"People are really upset," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, president of Los Angeles-based Latino Movement USA, one of several organizers of Saturday's rally. "For years, the president spoke in no uncertain terms about supporting immigration reform ... then this kind of plan comes out and people are so frustrated."
The White House's draft plan, leaked last week, calls for a new "Z" visa that would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time.
To get a permit and become legal permanent residents, illegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine.
The proposal has been sharply criticized by Hispanic advocacy groups, Democrats, the Roman Catholic Church and unions that have many immigrants in their ranks. They argue the cost of work permits and the green card application - which could total more than $20,000 - are prohibitive for low-wage earners.
The plan is far more conservative than the one passed by the Senate last year with bipartisan backing and support from President Bush. That plan would have allowed many of the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to stay in the United States, work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, pay small fines and back taxes and clear a background check.
Many Senate conservatives opposed that plan, and it failed to gain traction in the then Republican-controlled House, which at the end of 2005 passed the punitive immigration reform bill that angered immigrant communities and led to massive protests.
The “invaders” are never satisfied.
Why even try? Just round ‘em up and deport their butts.
A country has a immigration policy and quotas in order to ensure that the best of the applicants are chosen for limited slots. The illegals would have anyone who circumvents that system, including felonious criminals, qualify for legal status just because they have successfully broken the immigration law for a period of time. It is counterintuitive to believe that someone who has already shown disregard for our country’s laws would make a good citizen or legal immigrant.
Bears repeating!
I’m sure these animals benefit the country.
The immigrants feel betrayed by Bush, what about us?
Uh, precisely?
No kidding. I am beyond fed-up with the illegals and their anti-American diatribes. Boot their sorry asses out NOW!
So much for the Rove-Bush strategy of how to win the love, affection, and votes of the Hispanic illegal alien bloc.
Somebody here tell me again why you consider Rove a genius?
Enforce the Mexican Repatriation Act!
Great statement. Echoed at www.caseykey.com
If they can pay a coyote $6,000, they ought to be able to save up $20,000 to pay their fines and fees. Of course, it would mean cutting down on their booze....
Of course these illegals are mad. They will settle for nothing less than a blanket amnesty and dual citizenship which will qualify them for every social program the US government has to offer.
Send the paddy wagons and round em up like cattle.
Contemptuous lawbreakers.
Those ingrates will only be happy if granted immediate citizenship and all but meicans are eliminated from the Southwest, for starters.
In the long run they want every white sent back to Europe and eliminated from the US.
We need to enforce the esisting laws against them and their employers dishing out the maximum penalties allowed by current law.
I they are mad, let them take their ball and go home.
Gee, maybe We’ve been wrong about the Gov’s inability to reign in illegal immigration? Maybe they’re doing the best they can? Maybe these sweet people do deserve amnesty?
MAYBE BUT, I DON’T THINK SO!!!!
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