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About 100 rally against illegal immigration
Originally posted on October 22, 2006

Greg Hodai felt like the luckiest man alive when his family won the green card lottery 10 years ago.

It was their ticket to leave his post-communist Hungary and start life anew in the United States.

He came to America legally, selling everything his family owned to afford the airplane tickets, and that’s why he attended a rally in downtown Fort Myers on Sunday against those who cross the border illegally.

“I am an immigrant, but I came the legal way,” said Hodai, 30. “I am now a U.S. citizen.”

About 100 people gathered for the rally at Centennial Park, saying that illegal immigrants drain public funding for schools, medical services and other aid. They come to America and take jobs for citizens and don’t speak English.

Russ Landry, president of Citizens Against Illegal Aliens and Southwes Florida Brigade of the American Freedom Riders Southwest Florida brigade, said the rally was organized to inform the public about political candidates’ stance on the issue.

“We have political report cards on all of the senators,” he said. “We have interviews with people who are aware of the collapse of hospitals, schools and criminal system.

We want people to know our government has failed us at the local, state and federal offices. If the wrong people get into office, this will never change.”

Cape Coral resident Jimmy Stafford Jr., 11, said he hopes that is not the case.

“I can’t take it anymore,” he said. “I can’t live like this. All of the immigrants are walking up to me and babbling. I can’t understand a word of what they are saying.”

Joyce Tarnow, president of Floridians for a Sustainable Population, said 87 percent of the growth between 2004 and 2005 was related to illegal immigrants.

“The illegal population is 12 to 20 million in our country,” she said. “If you close off the jobs, they would go home.”

Lee County Commissioner candidate Gerard David Jr. agreed, saying less agricultural labor would be needed if there were fewer illegal immigrants because they are the ones consuming the majority of the produce.

Additionally, he said that citizenship should not be granted to the children of illegal immigrants.

“Don’t vote for anybody who doesn’t support the position you do on the illegal invasion,” said Tom Macklin, a candidate for lieutenant governor. “We have to make sure our country remains our country.”

Leonardo Garcia, executive director of the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said that while he understands the concerns that were raised at the rally, undocumented workers play a large role in the economy and work jobs that Americans will not.

“We know we have to work the borders, but at the same time, who will do these jobs?” said Garcia, who did not attend the rally. “I understand their concerns, but where is the solution?”

Naples resident Dave Dyson, 42, attended the rally to show his support.

“I have had enough,” Dyson said. “In the trades, nobody speaks English. Clearly, they haven’t been through the naturalization process.”

Fort Myers resident Ryan Lynn, 30, said he is distressed by the cultural and lifestyle differences that illegal immigrants are introducing into society.

“It is an infusion of foreign values from Third World countries,” he said.

Dressed in an Uncle Sam costume, Hodai said becoming an American citizen was a life-changing experience for him, but he becomes angry when he sees illegal immigrants who do not pay taxes or learn English.

“It’s almost like they have more rights than I do as a citizen,” he said.