Thread: Arrogant immigrants hurt cause by making unreasonable demand

Arrogant immigrants hurt cause by making unreasonable demands

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_5 ... ck_check=1

By Ruben Navarrette Jr.
05/04/2007 01:33:05 AM PDT

Tuesday's immigration marches in several of the country's largest cities were actually helpful. They showed that - despite the nativist sound bites on the far right - the answer to our immigration woes is no more likely to come from the radical left.

Speaking of nativist sound bites, there are commentators such as CNN's Lou Dobbs who are more part of the problem than part of the solution. Now Dobbs is using his network's Web site to raise money for the "legal defense fund" of Hazleton, Pa., which banned landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. Passing the plate this way only perpetuates the myth that the good people of Hazleton need defending from a problem they helped create by hiring illegal immigrants to do their chores. The townspeople need to take responsibility.

Trouble is, the marchers seem no more willing to accept their share of responsibility either. Most of the comments I heard and read last week from the participants were arrogant, outrageous and presumptuous, and they reflected badly on the entire legalization movement.

And I say that as someone who has come around to the view that immigration reform must include a path to legal status for illegal immigrants. For many of the marchers, that path should be a carefree stroll in the park. If I had my way, it would be more like boot camp.

Look, these people made a choice. They broke the rules and came to the United States illegally. Now they have to pay for it by making restitution and making an effort to become part of the American fabric.

That's why I like the outline of the immigration reform plan being pounded out by the White House and GOP senators, as well as the immigration bill proposed by Reps. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. And it's why I've been a fan of the Hutchison-Pence plan, which was proposed last year by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. All of these proposals include a path of legalization, but with lots of conditions. Illegal immigrants have to pay fines, or learn English, or even return home for a short time. The message is clear: "You want the right to live in the United States legally? Fine. Earn it. Nothing valuable comes easy, and the right to live legally in the greatest country on Earth is of tremendous value."

No dice, said some of the marchers. One man in Los Angeles told television reporters that he demanded a "general amnesty without conditions just like in 1986." And forget that business about requiring people to leave the country and reapply to enter legally. No way was he going to do that, he said.

What a jerk. Here he is getting a gift, and he wants it wrapped with a bow. Heaven forbid, he'd have to lift a finger.

Another man, also in Los Angeles, acknowledged that he was here illegally and explained his demands this way: "We want legal status so we can have the same rights as other people do."

There is his mistake. It's likely that the "other people" he is talking about are either permanent residents or U.S. citizens. If he wants the rights they have, let him go through the steps on his own to obtain either status. Then he can have rights galore, but with responsibilities the way "other people do."

Then there is the old standby, those signs with the slogan: "No human being is illegal."

OK. But human beings do, on occasion, commit acts that are illegal and, when they do, they have to pay for those mistakes. And step one is admitting they made them.

Many of the more vocal illegal immigrants don't even want to do that much. Maybe they're embarrassed for having broken the law, and so they prefer to think about everything they've done right since they got here: raising good kids, starting businesses, paying taxes.

Aside from the nativists and the media charlatans, a lot of Americans accept that illegal immigrants have made a contribution. Why else would more than three-fourths of respondents to a recent USA Today/Gallup poll say that illegal immigrants ought to have a path to legal status?

This is close to being a done deal. But to seal it, illegal immigrants and those who presume to speak for them are going to have to get real and express a willingness to get right with the law. They need to accommodate America instead of demanding that America accommodate them.

Ruben you admit that these people are making unjust demands on America yet you think what Lou Dobbs is doing is wrong. GET A CLUE ALREADY! I say Thank You Lou Dobbs for telling it like it is, keep up the good reporting. Maybe this Ruben dimwit will learn something!

Maybe this Ruben dimwit will learn something!

Cliff, only in the Bizarro world would this happen!

This guy's articles are just a good waste of ALIPAC's bandwidth! His trash isn't worth reading.

Trouble is, the marchers seem no more willing to accept their share of responsibility either. Most of the comments I heard and read last week from the participants were arrogant, outrageous and presumptuous, and they reflected badly on the entire legalization movement

If they act this poorly now, how will they act once they are here legally? More confident? God help us all!

Not more confident, more arrogant

...all the above, plus:

Did you notice that this was not published via CNN this time?
It was from MercuryNews. Maybe CNN is wising up?

This is close to being a done deal

Man, I hope not.

There is his mistake. It's likely that the "other people" he is talking about are either permanent residents or U.S. citizens. If he wants the rights they have, let him go through the steps on his own to obtain either status. Then he can have rights galore, but with responsibilities the way "other people do."

If they want the rights American citizens have, they need to go home and demand them from their own government

No dice, said some of the marchers. One man in Los Angeles told television reporters that he demanded a "general amnesty without conditions just like in 1986." And forget that business about requiring people to leave the country and reapply to enter legally. No way was he going to do that, he said.

Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Who in hell do these people think they are and how stupid do they think we are

Send Naverette to the country he seems to love so much...Mexico.