Thread: Toys for needy kids may come with immigration check

Dec 01, 2009

In Houston, toys for needy kids may come with immigration checks

05:10 PMY

Some Houston charities are checking the immigration status of children and their parents before giving them Christmas toys, the Houston Chronicle reports.

The paper found that several organizations — including the Salvation Army — are asking for birth certificates, photo ID, school enrollment or Social Security cards for children, or proof that parents are citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents. Many also require proof of income.

"It's not our desire to turn anyone down," said said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. distributes toys collected by firefighters. "Those kids are not responsible if they are here illegally. It is the parents' responsibility."

Some immigration activists say such scrutiny runs counter to the Christmas spirit.

"It is very disturbing to think a holiday like Christmas would be tainted with things like this," said Cesar Espinoza, executive director of America for All, a Houston-based advocacy group. "Usually, people target the adults because the adults made the decision to migrate, where the children are just brought through no fault of their own."

The Salvation Army said it provides gifts for all children in the family if one sibling is a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Catholic Charities and the Hispanic Firefighters Caucus don't ask about immigration status.

Good idea — or Grinch idea?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... on-check/1

Some toy drives check immigration status

By JEANNIE KEVER
Houston Chronicle
Nov. 30, 2009, 8:59PM

They don't claim to know who's been naughty or nice, but some Houston charities are asking whether children are in the country legally before giving them toys.

In a year when more families than ever have asked for help, several programs providing Christmas gifts for needy children require at least one member of the household to be a U.S. citizen. Others ask for proof of income or rely on churches and schools to suggest recipients.

The Salvation Army and a charity affiliated with the Houston Fire Department are among those that consider immigration status, asking for birth certificates or Social Security cards for the children.

The point isn't to punish the children but to ensure that their parents are either citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents, said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. is one of three groups that distribute toys collected by firefighters.

“It's not our desire to turn anyone down,â€

The first year I lived in this Hispanic community I sat out in front of my house giving out Halloween candy. There were truckloads of kids, literally. They would pull up with a semi filled with kids that would pile out and hit the neighborhood for candy.

I have not handed out candy since because NOT ONE of those kids with their hands out said thank you. In English or Spanish. It pretty much sums up my experience with this group. They have their hands out and don't care about who is giving it or what it cost. They just want it and if you don't give it to them, they will take it.

A hundred years ago when immigrants came to this country they said thank you and appreciated what was offered and respected the people that was allowing them to live in this great country.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-179895.html
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