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Activists rally for immigration law reform

Protesters blast Stabenow, Sander Levin.

PUBLISHED: September 30, 2006

By Norb Franz
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Members of an immigration reform group protested Friday outside a Democratic campaign office in Warren to demand that the U.S. border with Mexico be secured.

Michigan Citizens for Immigration Reform demanded that Congress and President Bush get tougher on illegal aliens and the companies that employ them.

"There are unemployed Americans who would take these jobs," said the group's Peggy Robichaud.

"With all the job losses in the state, why would our representatives do something to destroy what jobs are left," asked Sondra O'Neale, a resident of Detroit.

Motorists honked horns in support as six members quietly held signs outside the 12th District Campaign Headquarters along 12 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke, for about 90 minutes. Some drivers frowned, although the group believes its effort drew overwhelming support from passersby.

Mike Flannery, a 48-year-old social worker from Livonia, said Bush has failed miserably.

"If he wanted to protect the people he'd close the borders now," Flannery said. "We're being invaded.

"My feeling is the wealthy want (illegal aliens) here to suppress wages and benefits," he added.

The group primarily criticized U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Rep. Sander Levin.

"Sander Levin's record is woeful against illegal immigration, and likewise, Debbie Stabenow's record is weak," said Herbert Sherbin, a retired physician from Farmington Hills who formerly treated patients in Warren.

The group, which claims membership of approximately 120, rallied last month in front of Levin's nearby office on Van Dyke. After forming in August 2005, the organization has picketed in Farmington Hills and twice each outside the Livonia and Ferndale municipal offices.

Members plan to hold their next rally from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13 outside the Democratic election campaign headquarters on 10 Mile Road in Southfield.

Stabenow's opponent in the U.S. Senate contest in November, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, has accused her of flip-flopping on immigration.

The Bouchard campaign charges Stabenow in May voted for an amendment that allowed for the construction of a fence and vehicle barriers along the southern U.S. border, but then voted against funding for the fence two months later. The Republican challenger claims that now that Stabenow has seen poll numbers with Election Day less than six weeks away, she said she will vote in favor of funding the border fence.