Bucks Cty, PA: ACLU immigration forum ..20 attendees

[legalatina]

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Keeping the immigration issue alive
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By: RACHEL CANELLI
The Intelligencer

Organizers said they invited government officials to join the conversation, but they declined.

Valerie Burch posted a photo of a toddler on the computer screen. For $85 a day, the child is being detained in Texas for illegally being in this country.

"What is going on here with our tax dollars?" Burch asked a small group of people at Bucks County Community College's Lower Bucks Campus in Bristol Township. "Immigrants have all the same constitutional rights as people in this country."

Burch, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania and several others spoke during a free public forum on immigration Thursday night, which drew fewer than 20 people likely due to ice-cold temperatures.

The panel tackled various questions on the controversial topic like a nation of immigrants facing immigration problems, if the threats of immigration are real or perceived, law and order, and the role of race and ethnicity.

Other presenters included Sturgis Poorman, director of Welcoming the Stranger, and Maria Charo Juega, president of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Bill Jacobsen, executive director of Trenton Mediation Services, moderated the program.
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Organizers said part of the reason for the forum was to keep the immigration discussion alive since it's taken a backseat recently to the economy. Officials also said they invited members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but they declined.

Juega said many immigrants feel they become American because they live in this country for years, marry, work, raise children and buy homes. She advised participants to get involved by contacting local politicians and writing letters to area newspapers on the subject.

The informal discussion was sponsored by the Peace Center, the Bucks County Human Relations Council and the Bucks County Committee for Interracial Harmony.

In his work, educating more than 1,700 immigrants in Bucks over the last 10 years, Poorman said he's learned that many immigrants are working toward raising money to bring their children to America.

"If there is a path for citizenship, people will take it," he said.

Rachel Canelli can be reached at 215-949-4191 or rcanelli@phillyBurbs.com.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/t ... -alive.htm

[miguelina]

"If there is a path for citizenship, people will take it," he said.

Yeah, there is a path for citizenship. It's called LEGAL IMMIGRATION! Don't want to follow the rules to get it? Tough noogies, STAY OUT!

How come the only ones who don't "understand" this are hispanics?!?!?! Are we THAT stupid? For shame!

[SOSADFORUS]

Valerie Burch posted a photo of a toddler on the computer screen. For $85 a day, the child is being detained in Texas for illegally being in this country.

"What is going on here with our tax dollars?" Burch asked a small group of people at Bucks County Community College's Lower Bucks Campus in Bristol Township. "Immigrants have all the same constitutional rights as people in this country."

"What is going on here with our tax dollars?" Ummm same question we have been asking, now if this child was allowed to stay, please tell me what it would cost us for the next 18 years? I am pretty sure its detention now is far cheaper than the aternative!

[jimpasz]

Sounds like a one sided panel all OBLs who get paid to spin there lies.

[WorriedAmerican]

Juega said many immigrants feel they become American because they live in this country for years, marry, work, raise children and buy homes.

Illegal immigrants are NOT AMERICANS! You are ILLEGALS!
Nothing more, .... well that I can say here.

Your kids are JUST anchor-babies, they are NOT AMERICANS either!

You are all wanted by the Police, Ice and Sheriff Joe!

Leeches is the WORD that comes to mind.