Posted on 05/12/2005 1:06:10 PM PDT by South40
Latino leaders seeing immigration downside
The Minuteman Project may not have succeeded in closing the U.S.-Mexican border, but it did seem to help close what has been an ideological gap between Latinos and those who claim to represent them.
The truth is that the vast majority of U.S-born Latinos oppose illegal immigration and support calls for increased border enforcement. But you would never know it from listening to professional advocacy groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Or from the public comments and legislative priorities of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, made up of the 21 members of Congress who are of Hispanic descent. In fact, much of what they have had to say on the issue comes close to advocating an open border.
That's troubling. One, the idea of an open border isn't wise or workable, especially after Sept. 11, 2001. And two, what good are these groups if they don't represent the people they claim?
But now, that may be changing, and it's possible that the credit for that goes to none other than those lawn-chair-sitting, binocular-carrying sentries: The Minutemen. Now that this volunteer patrol has accomplished its mission along the Arizona-Mexico border, it's planning to head to California.
The volunteers won't get a warm welcome from Assemblywoman Lori Salda×a, D-San Diego, who recently helped organize a rally downtown of nearly 100 people condemning Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for praising the Minutemen. No fan of private patrols, Salda×a called for more funding for the U.S. Border Patrol and even launched a petition asking the governor to support "trained, professional law enforcement officers" as "the best way to provide a safe and secure border for everyone."
That stance put Salda×a at odds with Latino activists who have criticized the Border Patrol and who don't seem to be willing to support anything other than an open border. The activists are wrong, and Salda×a is right. What's more, she's not alone.
Just a few hours after the rally, National Council of La Raza President Janet Murguia delivered the keynote address at a luncheon downtown honoring the Chicano Federation of San Diego County, a nonprofit community-based organization. Murguia said her group wants to ensure that immigrants in this country – including illegal immigrants – are treated with dignity but that it had no quarrel with the right of the United States to "decide who enters the country, and who doesn't" through both border and workplace enforcement efforts.
That is good to hear. And we can't help but think that one reason we're hearing it is because Latino leaders have glimpsed the alternative – lawn chairs and all – and they don't like what they see.
pong
The minuteman project also proved the Mexican army is more than capable of policing its side of the border. :)
YES! Bush needs to act!
California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas need to deploy their National Guard along the Mexican border. We also need the US Army down there.
Great Post!
And the first three replies indicate we're moving the discussion away from illegal immigrants and toward Constitutionality, limited government, States' Rights, the Rule of Law...
And all because of some good ol' Conservative Grass Roots Activism in the guise of the MMP.
Thanks for the ping, HiJinx, and BTTT!
Thanks for the ping.
BTTT
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus seems like its just acting for votes, rather than for the welfare of the country (can you believe a politician would do that?). You are right on about the "open border" stance. If the borders were open, Latinos/Hispanics would have an easy majority in the southern border states and eventually the whole country. Congressional Police Power has taken a back seat to being re-elected.
No they don't. Wishful thinking.
To the extent that competition with Los Mojados causes them grief in the job market, they may oppose illegal immigration from Mexico or other "hispanic" countries. But if you drop that from the equation, it's a tiny minority. Like all nations, the Mexican nation and to a lesser degree the Latin American ethnicity has affinity for and emotional attachment to people they perceive as "them". They will not make technical distinctions based on whether someone came here legally or illegally. That is a perfectly understandable, and natural, reaction.
The sooner the Anglo-European soon-to-be-not-a-majority understands that, and does not engage in wishful self-deception, the sooner the problem will have the political will to be solved.
If not, it never will be.
"No they don't. Wishful thinking."
Virtually every one I know does.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
Well Bush isn't going to act and neither will the clowns Austin. In Texas our representatives are more worried about cheer leaders than the future of the state and the tax payers. They have no problem with encouraging illegals to come to the state, hey the average working stiff can pay for the illegals education, medical (which most of us can't afford)and when they are bad pay for their prison time. I have given up on the republicans doing the right thing.
MMP bump.
Another difference that we haven't seen yet. The illegal crimnal Mexican aliens that we have so far do leech on society and cost the society billions while making individual employers a little cash but, on balance, they work and work hard. In that regard, they are like our parents and grandparents, they work and will blend in and their children will be contributors. But, how about if the next 10 million wetbacks are not? How about if the are lazy, dump, passive criminals who figure the gringo dole is better that no dole at all?
Think of your Village Green with the gazebo and the 4th of July picnic there. What would happen if over one weekend 1,753 illegal aliens camped on the Green and began digging and demanding food, drink and entertainment? What if we've already skimmed the best Mexicans? What if the next Mexicans, lazy, shiftless and dumb could only bring discredit on the ones who are already here?
BTT
Again, thanks for the ping!
What do you mean "if"? In every area of southern California this has already happened. Long ago.
I have to agree with you.
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