Petition asks for temporary protected status for Mexicans living in US illegally

by Leigh Frillici / 11 News
khou.com
Posted on December 6, 2010 at 5:56 PM

HOUSTON -- Just across the border in Mexico, warring drug cartels terrorize the people. Kidnapping and killings are constant reminders that no one is safe.

It’s a stark contrast to life in Houston, where many Mexicans live illegally.

"A lot of Mexicans have lost family members," said　Eric La Corta.

That’s why Victor Ibarra, the President of Alianza Mexicana, has been busy getting support and signatures on a controversial petition.　 Because of the danger in Mexico, Ibarra wants the U.S. government to grant temporary protected status, or TPS, to illegal immigrants from Mexico.

"Anybody who’s been deported or traveled over there, they’re in danger to be kidnapped, maybe get killed, even if they’re not involved in the criminal situation," said Ibarra.

Temporary protected status is normally granted to immigrants from war-torn nations, or countries that have been devastated by natural disasters.

"It’s not amnesty," said Ibarra. "It’s not residential. It’s temporary."

The Department of Homeland Security the Houston Chronicle they’re not even considering granting protected status to Mexicans.

Nonetheless, Ibarra hopes to collect a quarter of a million signatures on his petition.

Bob Price, the head of Public Affairs at Border Watch, a group that believes in strengthening the protection of our borders with Mexico, does not think protected status is a good idea.

"When you’re looking at a refugee-type status for people, it’s for people who have no place to go," said Price. "Mexico is a huge country...There’s no reason why people who need to get away or want to get away can’t do so within their own country."

But some Mexicans, like La Corta, say protected status would save his countrymen from a war that the Mexican people want no part of.

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