http://nctimes.com/articles/2006/04/...1_294_1_06.txt

Academic says 50th District candidates out of sync with Latinos

By: WILLIAM FINN BENNETT - Staff Writer

NORTH COUNTY ---- In their drive for tough immigration policies, are local congressmen and candidates in the 50th District doing enough to address the concerns of North County's considerable Latino population?

The question came to the forefront last week when masses of Latino teens protested federal immigration policies in all corners of North County, which for decades has been represented by officials with extremely conservative views on illegal immigration.

A UC San Diego professor and a Vista Latino activist say candidates and local politicians are not in sync with the concerns of North County Latinos, in part because of their failure to vote.


"Local politicians are catering to the conservative Republicans in the electorate, who are far more likely to support restrictive immigration policies than Democrats, independents, or the general public," Wayne Cornelius, director of UCSD's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, said last week.

John Herrera, a Vista resident and longtime Latino activist, said he also believes that candidates are failing to respond to the concerns of many Latinos, in part because of the low voter turnout by Latinos.

"They can afford to ignore us," Herrera said last week.

The feeling of disenfranchisement on the part of many North County Latinos, in turn, may partially explain last week's demonstrations in North County and across the country, he said.

"It creates a sense of being unseen, unheard and not cared about ---- I think that disconnect has created a great sense of emotional frustration," Herrera said.

Some attention paid


But several Republican candidates said last week that they were paying attention to Latinos, at least those who are legal residents or citizens ---- and especially those who vote.

Over the last several weeks, the issue of illegal immigration has emerged as the single-most important issue for many candidates. Several have staked out especially tough immigration stances, saying that before allowing those illegal immigrants already living in the country to stay here, they must first be made to leave and then to apply for re-entry.

But such a policy could have a profound effect, not only on the illegal immigrants, but also on their children and other family members, many of whom are legal residents, Latino activists have said. Some people say that is one of the key factors that fueled last week's protests and demonstrations in North County.

State Sen. Bill Morrow, who has proudly declared his affiliation with the Minuteman Project and who held a widely publicized forum in Carlsbad in August of conservative, anti-illegal immigration activists, said last week that most of the Latinos he had spoken to supported his calls for a crackdown on illegal immigration.

All-inclusive issue


But, in the time leading up to the April 11 special election to choose a temporary replacement for disgraced former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, it's not just Republican candidates in the 50th District race who are calling for tough enforcement of the nation's borders.

The two Democrats who are in the race also have made illegal immigration a major plank in their platforms.

While Cardiff school board member Francine Busby, one of the two, has expressed her support for a guest-worker program that could allow many of the illegal immigrants living in this country to eventually become legal residents, she has also expressed concern about stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into the country.

She has called for the use of a high-tech electronic surveillance system along the U.S.-Mexico border to increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection's ability to locate and apprehend those trying to enter the country illegally.

Fence building


Fellow Democratic candidate and Oceanside resident Chris Young has endorsed the idea of building a high-tech double fence along the U.S.-Mexico border and has said she would only consider a guest-worker program "after we close the floodgates."

Oceanside resident and Libertarian candidate Paul King has gone so far as to call for Mexican citizens to "overthrow" their government in response to what he said is its failure to improve economic conditions in that country. This, he said, results in increased illegal immigration into the United States.

Many of the protesters last week in Los Angeles and North County said they were demonstrating against a House of Representatives bill that would make being an illegal immigrant a felony. And many of the protesters said they supported a proposed bill now before the U.S. Senate that would help immigrants live and work legally in the United States.

Several Republican candidates have said that a guest-worker program would be acceptable only if the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living here were to first leave the country. But several of those candidates say they are only "standing up for what is right" and deny they are paying little heed to the needs of Latino residents or constituents.

By the numbers


North County has a considerable Latino population. According to the 2000 U.S. Census ---- federal censuses are only conducted at the end of each decade ---- Latinos made up slightly more than 22 percent of the total population. However, in cities such as Escondido, San Marcos and Vista, Latinos made up closer to 40 percent of the population. In some cases, the numbers nearly doubled between the 1990 Census and the 2000 Census.

However, in terms of voting, Latinos appear to have a less than stellar record when it comes to voting. Last week, El Cajon-based Datamar Inc., a company that conducts voter surveys, mostly on local elections and issues, released the results of a survey it said it had conducted the previous week. It showed a dramatic difference between the voting performance of Latino voters and whites.

The poll, Datamar said, was based on 580 automated telephone interviews conducted with voters considered likely to cast ballots, because they voted in the 2004 presidential primary and general elections, and in the 2002 gubernatorial and general elections. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.07 percent, according to Datamar officials.

One of the questions on that survey asked respondents to state their race or ethnicity. And, according to Datamar, 87.8 percent said they were white and non-Hispanic, whereas only 5.2 percent said they were Latinos.

Where votes are


That poll, as well as others taken by candidates in recent weeks ---- also of likely voters ---- all showed illegal immigration as many respondents' number one concern.

Clearly, politicians go where the votes are, UCSD's Cornelius said.

"Polling data show that registered voters are much more anti-immigration than people not registered to vote, so appealing to the former is an effective way to mobilize votes for any Republican candidate," he said.

Datamar President and Chief Executive Officer Raul Furlong said he believes that economic factors underlie the low voter performance by Latinos.

"Most Latinos are just living hand to mouth," Furlong said. "As you move up the economic ladder, you have more time to engage in broader issues, going from subsistence to philosophical or political discussions."

A district reflection


In a Wednesday phone interview, candidate Morrow said that his tough stance on immigration was perfectly in tune with voters in the 50th District, "and that also includes a majority of Hispanic voters."

Illegal immigrants are hurting the U.S. economy, he said, and U.S. citizens and legal residents are very aware of that.

"Americans in general do want to crack down on illegal immigration, including (people) in North County," Morrow said.

He said that the protests that have swept the nation and North County in recent days are a sign of how out of control things have gotten.

"I see a lot of it, frankly, as a lot of propaganda from left-wing agitators ---- it's the same in Los Angeles and Escondido," he said.

Before illegal immigrants living in this country are issued guest-worker permits, Morrow said, they should have to leave the country first and then apply for re-entry into the United States.

One man's family


Brian Bilbray, another Republican candidate and a former congressman, expresses similar views. He said that members of his family legally immigrated to the United States.

"I would not be so bold as to ask the American people to accommodate my cousins; if they broke the law, I would tell them to go home and come back legally," he said.

Bilbray rejected the statements made by UCSD's Cornelius.

"Professor Cornelius insults legal immigrants by lumping illegals in with those who play by the rules," he said.

He said that if the government rewards people who break the law by granting illegal immigrants amnesty, that will only draw millions more people to this country illegally.

"If the U.S. Senate announced today that anyone who stole a car within the next three months could keep it, there would be a massive increase in stolen vehicles," Bilbray said.

Toward understanding


Candidate Howard Kaloogian, a Republican and a former state Assemblyman, said last week that it bothers him that some people fail to understand his motives in calling for stiffer immigration policy. He said that he, too, supports the idea of illegal immigrants leaving the country first and then applying to re-enter the country.

"Some people don't want to understand the crux of the issue: the enforcement of laws and our national security," Kaloogian said.

Democrat Francine Busby, who so far is leading in the polls for the April 11 special election, said last week that she supports a bill that is now being debated by the U.S. Senate that would allow illegal immigrants living in this country to start the process of becoming legal residents.

However, she said in a telephone interview, she also wants to stop illegal immigration, and that she doesn't believe that candidates are ignoring Latinos.

"I don't think it's a racial issue ---- this is a national security issue, an economic issue, a health care issue," she said. "Illegal immigration impacts us here locally and nationally, and the failure is of Congress in failing to (address) immigration in a comprehensive manner."

Some Latino views


Republican candidate and businessman Eric Roach said that in the forums he has participated in recently, he has had an opportunity to talk with many Latinos who are legal residents and U.S. citizens.

"They have been the most strident in saying, 'We have to do something to fix the process; we got here legally," and they don't favor amnesty, either," Roach said in a Thursday phone interview.

He said that he favors the idea of allowing those who are living in the country illegally to apply for guest-worker status, but not as a first step toward permanent residence or citizenship.

"So they can work hard and then go back (to their own countries,)" Roach said.

In a Thursday phone interview, Republican Alan Uke said that "probably the best thing to do would be to have (illegal immigrants) leave the country and then come back legally."

But in order to obtain the willing participation of illegal immigrants in such a program, it would be essential to organize things in such a way that those leaving the country clearly understand the rules and know they would only be out of the United States for a short time.

Appointments a must


He said he would recommend that they leave the country with an appointment already set up at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana.

"So, they would show up there at a certain day and time to get processed," Uke said.

He said he agrees with Cornelius that many candidates are staking out their tough stances on the issue because of the failure of many Latinos to vote.

"It's a perfect situation for them to be underrepresented politically, and that is what is going on," Uke said.

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said that he disagrees with Cornelius' assertion that he and others are effectively ignoring Latino residents.

"I represent everyone, including noncitizens," said Issa, whose 49th Congressional District covers portions of North County, including Vista and Oceanside, as well as a swath of Southwest Riverside County.

With that said, however, Issa said members of Congress have a responsibility to answer to their constituents who vote.

"Our system of universal suffrage is all about paying attention to voters," he said.

Contact staff writer William Finn Bennett at (760) 740-5426 or wbennett@nctimes.com.

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Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.
california_reality_check wrote on April 02, 2006 8:17 AM:"I think Busby has it right. Respect those in this country who are trying to work. Find out who are the criminals and send them back. Protect the borders. Simple."

Democrat voting Republican wrote on April 02, 2006 9:34 AM:"I think Busby is soft on immigration and will vote for someone who respects and represents LEGAL CITIZENS of this country. The protestors carried MEXICAN flags. They should go to Mexico and protest."

Bill wrote on April 02, 2006 9:56 AM:"As a husband to a hispanic wife, a father to a hispanic/white daughter and a candidate in this race, I can tell you that there is NO MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE obstacle to BORDER SECURITY and a FREE FLOWING LEGAL MIGRANT WORK FORCE. America can and must do both. Closing the porous access to the U.S. serves ALL people. We are at War with Al Qaeda, not Al Garcia, but they can walk through the same door with virtual ease. One wants to do us harm and will make no distinction as to our citizenship status, the other simply wishes to provide for his family. We can and must attend to both issues."

Sandy K wrote on April 02, 2006 9:58 AM:"Tell employers they have 90 days to confirm the legal status of each employee by calling the toll-free number to check that their Social Security number is valid. Then (within that 90 day period) they must terminate any who are not legal. Employers would be fined $10,000. for each illegal on their payroll after the 90 days. Confiscate vehicles of those who hire them as day laborers and pay cash. Illegals would self-deport if they could not find jobs. THEN, and only then could they apply for Guest Worker status. Secure the border with whatever it takes. Also make social services unavailable without proof of legal status. As you can see, this does not target immigrants, it targets "illegal immigrants." Why is that so difficult to understand? Please check each politician's stand on this issue from those who would be president in the next election on down. Make your wishes known by contacting the Federation for American Immigration Reform (www.fairus.org). American citizens may still get sold down the river by our elected officials, but you can be absolutely certain we will be if we do nothing."

Busby has it wrong wrote on April 02, 2006 10:28 AM:"Respect those in this country LEGALLY. As far as "finding out who the criminals are" um...it's the 11-12 million who came here illegally! Bilbray has it right. If we think the problem is bad now, wait until if we tried to enact the Kennedy/Busby amnesty plan! The borders would start overflowing 100 fold! "

just another voter wrote on April 02, 2006 3:31 PM:"We all agree that immigration and the border is a mess. Ironically, Bilbray's claim to fame is his work on immigration and border control. Does he want us to judge him by the results? Remember, the new broom sweeps cleaner."



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