Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

  1. #1
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    65,443

    CA: Leases denied due to farmworkers' immigration status

    http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01 ... _12_07.txt

    Leases denied due to farmworkers' immigration status

    By: Associated Press -

    WASCO, Calif. -- Supporters of farm laborers who say they face eviction because of their immigration status have begun a campaign to help the workers stay in their Wasco apartments.

    At least three tenants recently received notice that their leases will be terminated because they lack documents proving they are legal U.S. residents. The notices give the residents up to four months to leave the apartments.

    Some of the 200 protesters at Wasco City Hall Thursday said they were fearful they might be evicted when their leases came up for renewal. United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez said officials should hold off on the evictions until Congress decides on a new bill that would create a guest worker program to grant some farm laborers legal status to keep working in the United States.

    "We hope they could just suspend the eviction and hold off on making any decision until we see what happens at the federal level with legalization," said farmworker Miguel Raya.

    The Wasco Housing Authority manages about 200 apartments in agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide low-cost housing to farmworkers.

    Tenants must meet income requirements and work in the fields to qualify, but some residents said it was the first time their immigration status had been questioned.

    Commissioner John Lynch said Wasco Housing Authority officials were following the federal legal residency requirement for renting the apartments.
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  2. #2
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    65,443
    http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.as ... 365b2d45f8

    Wasco Housing Authority's mass eviction controversy sheds light on immigration process
    Last Update: 1/12/2007 7:48:34 PM

    Posted By: brynn galindo


    Posted 1/12/07
    BAKERSFIELD - More controversy brewed Friday over whether undocumented farm workers and their families should face eviction from their homes in Wasco.
    The farm worker families who are in the state legally are hoping they can get the homes they have been waiting for.

    Protestors with the United Farm Workers and scores of other farm workers voiced their concerns at Wasco City Hall Thursday night. But what of the legal residents who must wait—sometimes for years—while undocumented workers get housing over them?

    Local farm worker Esteban Flores said he has been on the list for a year and hopes his turn will soon come up.

    He said his documents are in order but does not blame the undocumented farm workers for trying to get by.

    Realistically, only a handful on the list will get the call within a year. The average wait is at least three years and even then documents will be checked at that time to enter and prove eligibility. Being on the list does not prove legal status until the applicant's name is chosen.

    "Each month different tenant's leases expire and about 75-90 days before that expiration date, we send out a letter saying, 'Would you please bring us a list of information that would help determine your continued eligibility?'" said Wasco Housing Authority Executive Director Mark Smith.

    Under new leadership since June, the Housing Authority is following Department of Agriculture guidelines.

    "The message to me from the Commissioners was that the normal procedure has to be undertaken and if people are going through the re-certification process, then we have to proceed with that," said Smith.

    The Housing Authority said it will be sensitive to the issues but it is up to farm workers to come up with documents when their re-certification date is up at the end of each year.

    The Housing Office has dealt with a handful of evictions in the past with minimal difficulty and said they welcome any other possible option within the law for the farm workers who no longer qualify.
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    12,855
    "We hope they could just suspend the eviction and hold off on making any decision until we see what happens at the federal level with legalization," said farmworker Miguel Raya.
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •