http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ ... 635452.htm

Posted on Mon, Jan. 16, 2006

Migrant workers organize
New group holds rally in Arcadia for immigrant rights
LAURA FIGUEROA
Herald Staff Writer

ARCADIA - The roughly 45-minute drive from Ruskin to Arcadia may pale in comparison to the weeklong journey on foot Nicolas Salas made from Mexico to the United States, but the motive behind both of his journeys was the same - opportunity.

Two years ago Salas left his home in Chiapas, Mexico, for the opportunity to find work in the United States. On Sunday, Salas said he went to Arcadia looking for the opportunity to voice his concerns.

He was one of more than 100 migrant workers and supporters who met at "La Valencia" field in Arcadia for a kick-off rally for the Organization of United Latino Immigrants of Florida, a newly formed group advocating for the rights of the state's illegal immigrant work force.

"We will continue pushing until they give us papers to work in this country legally," said Luis Ibarra, the group's president, standing on a stage. "We'll continue pushing so that we don't have to continue paying thousands of dollars to come into this country, risking our lives and facing so many dangers to cross the border, just so that we can work."

Ibarra said the group's current priority is organizing Florida's migrant communities to rally peacefully against H.R. 4437, a bill approved in the U.S. House that places stricter guidelines on immigration enforcement.

Proposed by U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, the bill's measures include withholding grant funds from state and local governments that maintain a policy of protecting the confidentiality of immigrants, and providing funding for the construction of more border fencing between the United States and Mexico.

Members of the organization hope the bill does not pass in the U.S. Senate.

"The government is trying to make it more difficult for us to cross the border, but they need to understand when we cross to this side it's not to affect anyone badly," said Ibarra. "In reality we are the ones helping, helping through jobs in agriculture that no one else will do, and now in construction."

Sunday's rally, which featured soccer games and performances by a local Mexican band, was to create awareness. Ibarra said the group will open an office in Arcadia by the end of the month, and its board of directors will reach out in areas like Palmetto and Ruskin, where there are large communities of migrant workers.

Wendy Vasquez, the group's vice president, hosts a weekly radio program on a Spanish AM station addressing migrant workers' rights. After she began receiving more call-in requests from listeners for help than she could fulfill, Vasquez said she started to build the framework for the Latino immigrants organization.

"Who here doesn't have a drivers license, but would like one to get to work?" Vasquez asked into a microphone.

Martin Coronel, of Arcadia, was one of many who shot a hand into the air.

"I just wish people would get to know us," said Coronel, who came to the United States 10 years ago from Jalisco, Mexico. "We just come here to work. We're not here to cause harm."

As Vasquez departed the stage she told the crowd, "We hope that through IHLUF you will find your voice."

Nicolas Salas looked over to his sister Ester Sanchez.

"They have good intentions, but we'll see where God takes this," Salas told her in Spanish.

Laura Figueroa, Herald reporter, can be reached at 708-7906, or at lfigueroa@HeraldToday.com.