HEADS UP!
Immigrant groups vow mass protests in US cities for amnesty
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Pro-immigrant groups vow giant marches across the country on Monday demanding immigration reform and the legalization of nearly 12 million undocumented migrants living in the United States.
Marches have been organized in 60 cities, including here in the US capital.
Coalitions gathering groups that represent immigrants to the United States, both legal and undocumented, are trying to keep pressure on US legislators to reach a compromise on proposed reforms of US immigration policy.
The April 10 protest "has incredible importance," said Eliseo Medina, head of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and one of the organizers of the march in New York.
"The community must mobilize with one voice in a disciplined manner, in a peaceful but firm way," he said.
On Monday "we march in the streets, but we will also march to the voting booth in November," during key mid-term elections, said Medina, adding that not all immigrants were undocumented and that many will vote.
In Los Angeles, Miami and other cities, the Catholic Church has called its members to join in the protests.
more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060409/ts_afp/usimmigrationprotests_060409030539
Montgomery Is Criticized Over Credit for Students
The Montgomery County schools' decision to grant students community service credit for attending Monday's immigration rights protest is raising concern among some parents as well as activists who say officials should focus on education, not political advocacy.
Montgomery is the only Washington area school system offering students credit for taking part in the event, to be held on the Mall -- a decision Superintendent Jerry D. Weast said is consistent with how the system has operated.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/07/AR2006040701828_pf.html
The premise here is false. Immigration reform is separate from border security reform. Illegal aliens want to confuse that. So are the Democrats and RINOs. They are invaders not immigrants. These politicians are responding to the demands of illegal foreign nationals not American citizens.
Border security requires addressing two things:
1. Enforcement on the border itself.
2. A rational (as Arlen put it) means of dealing with the 11 - 20 million illegal aliens here already.
I agree with those who say it is not rational to deal with illegal aliens by "rounding them up." It is not rational economically, socially or politically. What is rational and would be highly effective is to enforce the laws we have on American employers who hire illegal foreign nationals. H.R. 4437, while not perfect, has some very good provisions for doing just that. None of the Senate bills do.
Immigration reform should be considered separately from border security reform. Both in public discussion and in legislative process. It should also be considered secondarily to border security reform.