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Group rallies against plan
SAN BERNARDINO: About 20 wave signs and shout slogans over a proposed guest-worker program.


01:15 AM PST on Tuesday, January 31, 2006

By IMRAN GHORI / The Press-Enterprise

An anti-illegal immigration group staged a protest in front of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer's San Bernardino field office Monday afternoon, urging her to vote against a proposed guest-worker program.

About 20 protesters stood in front of Boxer's downtown office, holding up signs and American flags and shouting slogans.

"They come here as guests and never leave," shouted Dee Barrows of Upland, using amegaphone.

Several passing cars honked to show support to the protesters. One driver made an obscene gesture.

The protesters, some of whom were affiliated with anti-illegal immigration efforts, such as the Minuteman Project and Team America, said they believe President Bush plans to insert the guest-worker proposal into an immigration bill going before the Senate next month. The group also had its members make phone calls to Boxer's office.

"It makes a mockery of our laws," said Robin Hvidston of Upland, who organized the rally.

She said people in this country illegally should not be granted amnesty.

After about an hour, 15 of the protesters were invited into Boxer's office to air their views to staff, who promised to pass on the comments to the senator. Hvidston said she was satisfied with the meeting and confident that Boxer will get their message.

Natalie Ravitz, a spokeswoman for Boxer, said the senator does not support Bush's guest-worker program and believes the protesters made some good points. Boxer is pleased to see constituents exercising their right to make their views known, Ravitz said.

Reach Imran Ghori at (909) 806-3061 or ighori@pe.com