Thread: Fear drives many illegal immigrants from Mexico to Oklahoma

Fear drives many illegal immigrants from Mexico to Oklahoma

Mexican nationals appear to be entering Oklahoma illegally as steadily as ever for work, family and sanctuary from a violent homeland. They come despite a sagging economy and anti-immigration sentiments.

BY RON JACKSON Oklahoman
Published: July 18, 2010



Jessica's voice, or moreover her presence, is powerful in a state that was considered the forerunner on anti-illegal immigration legislation after the 2007 passage of House Bill 1804.

Jessica, 18, is a newly arrived illegal immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico. And based on anecdotal evidence and statewide statistics, she is far from alone.

Mexican nationals appear to be entering Oklahoma illegally as steadily as ever for work, family and sanctuary from a violent homeland.

They come despite a sagging economy and anti-immigration sentiments.

The Rev. Michael Chapman, pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church near downtown Oklahoma City, likens the migration trend to "a flowing river."

"I see new faces every week," Chapman said. "Generally, they have some sort of family tie to the parish — a brother, a sister, a cousin."

Chapman suspects all the 600 parish families either know or are related to an illegal immigrant.

"The issue goes much deeper than people think," said Chapman, who regularly conducts Mass in Spanish. "Are these people here illegally? Yes. Why? Mostly jobs. But maybe we ought to be asking ourselves who's providing the jobs. Or who owns the homes these immigrants are living in. Follow the money, and you'll be able to start to understand the complexities of the issue."

House Bill 1804 sought to punish employers who profited from an undocumented work force, but the law has been mired in court appeals. The law featured 24 provisions, none more contentious than those that made it illegal to knowingly "transport, move, or attempt to move" an illegal immigrant. But a federal appeals court has since ruled that certain portions of HB 1804 can't be enforced.

One element of the law that remains in effect is the requirement for public employers to use online E-Verify, a federal verification system that reveals a person's residency status. The law also prohibits public employers from doing business with any contractor that doesn't use the E-Verify system.

Yet some question whether an effective HB 1804 would have been enough to trump the exodus from Mexico.

The answer might appear obvious when considering what an immigrant has to lose.

"How's 1804 gonna stop you if you're gonna get killed yourself living in Mexico?" said Chris Brewster, superintendent and principal of Santa Fe South High School — a charter school on Oklahoma City's south side.

"We've got students here who have seen people killed in Juarez."

Violence in Mexico has skyrocketed since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon deployed federal police to battle warring drug cartels on the border. The Mexican government estimates the death toll at more than 22,700.

"People are trying to flee the violence," said Michael Brooks-Jimenez, an Oklahoma City attorney whose services are sought by Mexican immigrants. "Every week I have families come to me, asking if there is a way they can legally obtain asylum for an uncle or a sibling who owns a business and is being threatened with extortion or death.

"Sadly, I tell them all the same thing. There's nothing we can do."

Jessica

Jessica's story is typical of countless others living in Oklahoma illegally. She left Mexico last year at the mere whisper of opportunity.

Last summer she worked 12-hour days as a waitress in Monterrey, riding several hours to and from work on a bus. Loved ones feared for her safety, let alone her future.

"My father begged me to come to the United States," said Jessica, who asked that her last name not be used.

"He said I could go to school and get an education. For years, he has lived in Oklahoma, but has been nothing more to me than a photograph and a voice on the phone. Finally, I decided to go."

Clutching fake documents, Jessica crossed the border checkpoints undetected. She reunited with her father who had been living in Oklahoma illegally for years. Today she attends an Oklahoma City high school and dreams of becoming a teacher. The dream is a long shot given her immigration status, but one she clings to nonetheless.

But her motivation to live in Oklahoma is ultimately fueled by something more fundamental.

"Why did I come?" Jessica said. Tears fell from her cheeks as she paused and then answered, "Family."

The return

Miguel Banuelrs is arguably as connected to his community as anyone. He owns a meat market, bakery and money wire service at NW 29 Street and Western Avenue in south Oklahoma City, an area saturated in Hispanic culture.

One can buy authentic Hispanic food from aging trucks parked along NW 29, or gaze at storefront windows decorated with colorful pinatas, Spanish signs and Mexican flags.

Mostly, onlookers will see a neighborhood teeming with people. They are working as cooks, maids, janitors, masons, landscapers and roofers, and according to Banuelrs, traveling from previous stops in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and even Arizona where Senate Bill 1070 has illegal immigrants fearful.

Banuelrs saw a different neighborhood after the passage of Oklahoma's HB 1804.

"People were scared," he said. "A lot of people left. Those who stayed wouldn't go outside. I lost 25 percent of my business."

Times have again changed. The fear has subsided. Banuelrs points to Fridays as a good indication of the local activity. On those days he generally wires more than $10,000 to Mexico for Spanish-speaking customers.

"A lot of people moved away," Banuelrs said. "Some went back to Mexico. Some moved to other states. But a lot of people have come back — more than before even."

http://www.newsok.com/fear-drives-ma...adlines_widget

Times have again changed. The fear has subsided. Banuelrs points to Fridays as a good indication of the local activity. On those days he generally wires more than $10,000 to Mexico for Spanish-speaking customers.

One business, one day, one town.

This article should be delivered to each and every unemployed person in Oklahoma.

Yea the fear has subsided because, though 1804 passed with flying colors, there has been little to no enforcement of the law...

Originally Posted by kniggit

Violence in Mexico has skyrocketed since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon deployed federal police to battle warring drug cartels on the border. The Mexican government estimates the death toll at more than 22,700.

"People are trying to flee the violence," said Michael Brooks-Jimenez, an Oklahoma City attorney whose services are sought by Mexican immigrants. "Every week I have families come to me, asking if there is a way they can legally obtain asylum for an uncle or a sibling who owns a business and is being threatened with extortion or death.

Who buys the drugs that support the cartels?
Who benefits from employing illegals at substandard wages and safety?
Who benefits from legalization and a path to citizenship?

If I lived in Mexico, I would sneak in here ASAP and you would, too.
We have seen the real enemy of our country: it is us.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-184867.html

Who buys the drugs that support the cartels?
Who benefits from employing illegals at substandard wages and safety?
Who benefits from legalization and a path to citizenship?

If I lived in Mexico, I would sneak in here ASAP and you would, too.
We have seen the real enemy of our country: it is us.

Watson, I have two problems with your statement. First, I am not "us" and neither are millions of other Americans. I didn't invite them, I don't use their drugs and I don't benefit from their presence. I don't give a rats ass about saving a nickel on a head of lettuce or that they are mowing someones yard. Second, your statement sounds more like an apology/excuse than an explanation. Bad or stupid behavior on someone else part doesn't justify what is being done to this country. Yes, SOMEONE is benefiting from their presence here, but my question is "so what?". Someone benefits from the bombings and murders committed by Al Qaeda but we surely shouldn't give them a pass!!

We are in a war to save this country from invasion and extinction as a culture. Period. Now, let's get about the business of securing our borders and catching and punishing the invaders.

Aren't there safer areas of Mexico they could move to? Of course, they always pick the US as a safe haven.

They need to drive back to Mexico, NOT Oklahoma!

W

Captainron

"Aren't there safer areas of Mexico they could move to? Of course, they always pick the US as a safe haven."

I've said the same thing many times. Of course there are other places in Mexico where they could go, just like I could move somewhere else in the US (and if I do...it'll be to ARIZONA)They're using all of that violence, danger BS as an excuse to come to the US. Before the violence got so bad...what was their excuse then? Some other BS. They will ALWAYS find some sort of justification for coming here illegally. I know of MANY MANY illegals here in El Paso who are not here working! They are here partying and collecting whatever freebies they can. Our schools are merely their babysitters. The women collect under the guise of single mothers when in fact their "man" is living with them.
[/i]

Who buys the drugs that support the cartels?
Who benefits from employing illegals at substandard wages and safety?
Who benefits from legalization and a path to citizenship?

MEXICO


Watson, we are tired of the sob stories and blame games. I am sick and tired of the emotional blackmail being played on American citizens. For every sob story of the poor Mexicans, I can give you a sob story for an American citizen. We don't want or need illegal aliens. As a Californian I have seen the destruction done by these poor illegal immigrants.

My tolerance is gone. It is time to secure the border and send every last illegal alien back across the border. [/b]

The question I have is how many can we provide for, everything has a beginning and an end what is the number. We bleed money to Mexico via drugs,illegal work, welfare, social security, military help, drug assistance, etc.
We have given up much of our manufacturing base, going to China and other communists or third world countries , we spend trillions building roads,schools, nation building in Iraq, Afghanistan, all over the world...

What is the breaking point, money flowing out none coming in, common sense alone will tell you it won't work we are burying America..................