Thread: Debate Gets Heated ! - Alabama

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/AR ... a64ec35112

Debate on immigration gets heated Thursday


Tuscaloosa Minutemen and Hispanics debate immigration
By Ellen Burke
Assistant Student Life Editor
September 15, 2006



The room fell silent except for the shouts of an elderly man who became enraged while others on stage debated illegal immigration.

"You don't have to ask!" he yelled. "I'll just leave."

After several outbursts of "ship them out" and other anti-illegal immigrant comments, the man left the debate, almost before getting kicked out, to the applause of other spectators.

The Sigma Lambda Beta debate with The Minute Men of Tuscaloosa to kick off National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month drew strong reactions from a crowd of students and elderly residents of Tuscaloosa. The debate was called "A CrossVIEW on Immigration" for the different points of view people have toward immigration.

As the immigration debate became heated, Guillermo Puente, president of the Hispanic-based multicultural fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta, had to remind the crowd several times to remain civil and speak in turn. Puente said if anyone became too overheated during the debate, that person would be removed by an officer on call for the meeting.

"Amens" and clapping were common throughout the tense meeting, as were shouts from individuals who couldn't contain themselves.

Many people in the audience voiced their concerns about illegal immigrants holding back education in the United States, not being able to hold them responsible for hit-and-runs, and taking jobs from Americans.

"Bring them in and ship them out," the elderly man who stormed out said in response to illegal immigrants and education in the U.S.

Many questions during the debate revolved around how people feel about illegal immigrants.

"We have laws, and people are breaking laws by coming into the country illegally, and are therefore criminals," said Patrick Samples, a graduate student in electrical engineering. "If you try to enter Mexico [illegally], they'd shoot you dead."

Puente, a senior majoring in accounting, came to the United States when he was 11 years old, but for him, the process of becoming a citizen took 17 years. Puente's mother applied for citizenship was she was pregnant with him in Mexico, but he didn't become a citizen until 17 years later. While Puente does not condone immigrants entering the country illegally, he said he understands the frustration they feel.

Jerry Frady, director of the Alabama chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said he thinks the U.S. helps countries in need all the time, but immigrants should come into the country legally.

"Regardless of who you are, this is a nation of laws, not sympathy," he said. "We don't operate on emotions."

Frady said he understands many illegal immigrants come into the U.S. for educational purposes, but "the U.S. has limited resources, and the resources go to the U.S.A. first."

"The only issue here is whether or not someone is here illegally," Frady said.

Many participants said jobs and education are two areas they think illegal immigrants affect the most.

Nicholas D. Rose, president of College Democrats, said the United States needs not only to establish a program where people can come and work in the U.S., but also protect its borders.

"We need to integrate people into our system," he said. "This is not a Democratic or Republican issue, but a bipartisan one."

Other people in the crowd said they were upset about illegal immigrants getting good jobs in the U.S.

"Not one line in either constitution [Alabama or the United States] says a person who comes into our country illegally gets a job," Frady said.

David Zapata, a junior majoring in management information programs, said American citizens should not worry about illegal aliens taking their jobs because there are currently enough jobs for everyone.

Rose said the jobs that are disappearing are ones at or below minimum wage.

Puente said while he feels bad someone left the debate, the event had a good turnout.

"There's been rallies for both sides, but this debate was good because usually no one wants to sit down and talk," he said.

Rose said the jobs that are disappearing are ones at or below minimum wage.

They are taking many more jobs outside this description Rose.

David Zapata, a junior majoring in management information programs, said American citizens should not worry about illegal aliens taking their jobs because there are currently enough jobs for everyone.

The current unemployment level is around 5%, which coincides with the government's estimate of 5% of our population being illegal. Coincidence?

That 5% unemployment level only counts people who are actively seeking employment and does not include people who have given up looking for a job or are in prison or disabled. What happens if we have a recession and jobs become more scarce; then what do we do with 12-20 million illegal aliens?

Puente, a senior majoring in accounting, came to the United States when he was 11 years old, but for him, the process of becoming a citizen took 17 years. Puente's mother applied for citizenship was she was pregnant with him in Mexico, but he didn't become a citizen until 17 years later. While Puente does not condone immigrants entering the country illegally, he said he understands the frustration they feel.

Puente, you are an American citizen, do you understand the frustration Americans feel?

National Website- http://www.sigmalambdabeta.com/

Alabama Chapter- http://www.bamabetas.com/
Please go to tis site and look around! "This isn't a takeover it is a revolution the mighty purple nation, we are the solution."
Click on the "321" at the bottom of the page quite an interesting promo at the end they are at the shooting range....

http://htmlgear.tripod.com/guest/contro ... i=2&a=view

Taken from their website guestbook...

Wednesday 06/28/2006 8:35:08pm
Name: Edgar "Visionario" Alas
E-Mail: visionslb@hotmail.com
How did you hear about us? P-list
Greek affiliation: Sigma Lambda Beta
University: Long Beach State University
Comments: Bros good job on the site and way to hold it down against all odds in the South. Always know you have an entire nation who's got your back and 43 soldiers from the Kappa Beta chapter in Southern Cali.

Visionario
FA 01
Alumnus

Thursday 05/11/2006 11:45:08am
Name: HIERRO
E-Mail: nrm05@fsu.edu
How did you hear about us? Im ur brother
Greek affiliation: The Most Honorable Sigma Lambda Beta
University: Florida State University
Comments: Damn hermanos! Tight website. I was wondering if yall had a copy of the probate. I really, really wanna c dat shit! I apologize again for not being able to make it. Yall are my LB's and I wish i could have been there for ya. U kno dat we gon do it big in the upcoming years that we are still here..... Lets keep the Pride alive, men! We are the future!!!!

Monday 05/08/2006 1:15:04pm
Name: Roberto "Azteca" Montiel
E-Mail: rob_be_da_man@hotmail.com
How did you hear about us? Im a Beta
Greek affiliation: The one and only Sigma Lambda Beta
University: Kearney kolony "Nasty Nebraska"
Comments: Wuz up Bros!

My name is Roberto Montiel, Proud Capitan of the founding Line,here at the Krazy Kearney Kolony, reping Nasty Nebrska. I just want to send a big ass LLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBB!! to congratulate you on your hard work. As a founder on a predominantely white institution, we know of all the negativity that is brought on new organizations, so just keep doing your thing and dont let all the negativity put you down. Keep doing big things, and if ever in nebraska dont be afraid to hit us up. oh by the way the website is tight, looking foward to see the rest of it.

fraternally,

Roberto "Azteca" Montiel
bleeding purple and white since 4/4/2004
Krazy Kearney Kolony
Nasty Nebraska