Lawmakers hear dozen debate illegal immigration reform

Lawmakers hear dozen debate illegal immigration reform

news14carolina
Updated 03/28/2012 06:09 PM

By: Julie Fertig

(video at source)

RALEIGH—Lawmakers considering changes in North Carolina immigration policies got an earful on the heated issue Wednesday.

Dozens of immigration supporters and opponents of illegal immigration reform spoke at a House Committee public hearing.

"I only ask for opportunities," said Charlotte high school senior Juan Ramos.

Ramos is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. The 18-year old dreams of going to college and becoming an architect. He told lawmakers he may not receive that chance if they approve stricter immigration policies.

"They think we cannot contribute to the economy, but in reality we could be contributing a little bit more if we could have more opportunities," said Ramos.

Rep. Garland Pierce, A Democrat from Scotland County, said the last result he wants is to enact laws that hurt children.

"Young people, children, bare no responsibilities for what adults do or fail not to do. So that's where my compassion comes in," said Rep. Pierce.

The immigration policy committee is considering measures that would clamp down on illegal immigration. Supporters who want new laws said immigrants take from the state without giving back.

"We also need to take into account, into consideration, the number of North Carolina citizens that are out of work and the ones that are being displaced by the illegal alien workers that are here," said President of North Carolinians for Immigration Reform and Enforcement James Johnson.

Opponents contend immigrants pay taxes and take on jobs most citizens would not consider working.

"They say, they don't contribute to our economy. I want to tell you that all of the buildings, Bank of America and all those buildings built, were built by immigrant hands," said executive director Maudia Melendez of Jesus Ministries.

At the end of policy discussions, the committee decided to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the strict new immigration law in force in Arizona. The committee plans to meet again in the fall.

Lawmakers hear dozen debate illegal immigration reform - News14.com

03/28/2012 02:04 PM

Immigration rally held outside General Assembly protesting policy hearing

Quote:

---

The N.C. Latino Coalition estimates there are about 800,000 immigrants in North Carolina.

---

By: News 14 Carolina Staff

RALEIGH—Several immigrants and supporters spoke out against adopting new anti-immigration policies Wednesday.

Advocates gathered outside the General Assembly building to send a message to lawmakers, who are exploring the issue later Wednesday afternoon. The House is considering several plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

The group, We Are NC, wants to emphasize the contributions immigrants make to the state's economy and culture. They say immigrants pay taxes and work in the service and construction industry.

“Look very closely about, you know, all the contributions as well as the impact that has had on the economy in other states where this legislation has been passed," said N.C. Latino Coalition Director Mauricio Castro.

The N.C. Latino Coalition estimates there are about 800,000 immigrants in North Carolina.

http://triangle.news14.com/content/t...policy-hearing

NC Lawmakers Hear Impassioned Arguments on Illegal Immigration

by imblest
Published on 03-29-2012 06:14 AM Number of Views: 18
http://images.www.news-record.com/fi...ve_bldg.__.jpg
NC Lawmakers hear impassioned arguments on illegal immigration


RALEIGH, N.C. —Dozens of people spoke out Wednesday on whether North Carolina should regulate immigration as state lawmakers consider how to clamp down on the flow of illegal immigrants.

The House Select Committee on the State's Role in Immigration held a ...

working on STEP #1 Forums for Justice - View Single Post - first things, first ... STEP #1 http://bit.ly/GFxhUJ

"Ramos is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. The 18-year old dreams of going to college and becoming an architect. He told lawmakers he may not receive that chance if they approve stricter immigration policies."

These kids have to learn that there is limited seatings in school that belong to our kids. Another thing is that many of our citizen's students cannot take certain classes that they want because they are taken up by the illegals. And yet another thing, it is their parents fault for bringing them here illegally and we are sick of their whining for rights.

"I only ask for opportunities," said Charlotte high school senior Juan Ramos."

So do our kids but you are replacing them in their own schools!

"They think we cannot contribute to the economy, but in reality we could be contributing a little bit more if we could have more opportunities," said Ramos."

You havn't contributed to the billions of dollars it has cost us all these years having kids like you here! Sorry but your opportunities cannot come before the children of citizens!

The group, We Are NC, wants to emphasize the contributions immigrants make to the state's economy and culture. They say immigrants pay taxes and work in the service and construction industry."

Wait a minte did he say immigrants and not' illegal' immigrants? These people have taken jobs away from american citizens and driven wages down! As for the contributions in culture...we are forced to speak 'their language. What happened to our own culture?

Rep. Garland Pierce, A Democrat from Scotland County, said the last result he wants is to enact laws that hurt children.

Laws that hurt children? What a joke! We have laws that are supposed to protect us from people coming here illegally. It is the parents and only the parents who are hurting their children by breaking the law!

"Opponents contend immigrants pay taxes and take on jobs most citizens would not consider working."

This is getting really old! Illegals are NOT just taking jobs that citizens won't do. They are in many areas of the work force. AS for the jobs that citizens won't do, it does not take millions of illegals to do them!!!!!!

"Young people, children, bare no responsibilities for what adults do or fail not to do. So that's where my compassion comes in," said Rep. Pierce.

So allow illegals to invade our country because they have kids???????? You can have all the compassion in the world, but do the right thing and protect the citizens of america by enforcing the laws!!!