Thread: Getting Illegal Immigrants Out Of The Shadows

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php? ... mig_reform

Getting immigrants out of the shadows

CLAUDINE LoMONACO
Tucson Citizen

Mario Gonzalez, who is in the U.S. illegally, cleans tables at a Mexican restaurant on the South Side. Gonzalez says he's excited about the legislation and would participate in the proposed program.
Maria Galaviz tickles the feet of her 8-month-old daughter as she and her husband wait for tacos at an outdoor Mexican restaurant. It's a rare family outing for Galaviz, whose husband holds down two full-time jobs as a cook.
Before she got pregnant, Galaviz worked as a janitor in an East Side office building for two years. In that time, she said, she never saw a single U.S. citizen do the same job she did. And then she corrects herself. "Oh, no," she said and laughed. "There was this one girl, but she only lasted a day. She said the work was too difficult."

Galaviz and millions of other illegal immigrants may have a chance to come out of the shadows under a proposed immigration reform bill that would fine them $2,000 for entering the country illegally while allowing those now employed to stay and apply for legal status.

Galaviz, 32, and her husband, Eduardo Arreola, 29, moved to Tucson four years ago from San Luis, Son. They have both worked hard and paid taxes, they said, and want to give their daughter, Victoria, who is a U.S. citizen, the best.

It's tough, though. They can't get driver licenses, enroll in English classes or travel freely.

Galaviz and Arreola are among an estimated 10 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States who could benefit from bipartisan immigration reform introduced in the House and Senate yesterday. The legislation, the most comprehensive attempt to tackle immigration since 1986, would give illegal immigrants work permits and the chance to apply for legal residency and citizenship once they pay fees and a fine and pass background checks.

Those in Mexico could apply for a work visa at a cost of $500.

The bill, known as the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, would tighten security at the border and double fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants.

U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced the bill in the Senate, and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Arizona Republican U.S. Reps. Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake introduced it in the House.

Once immigrants come forward, they could apply for permanent legal status after six years, if the bill passes.

The bill would stiffen penalties against employers but make it easier for them to identify legal workers who would have an easily recognizable work visa. Kolbe said it's difficult to enforce employment laws because there's no easy way for employers to know workers' true status.

Immigrant-rights groups, labor unions and religious leaders praised the bill as a comprehensive way to fix a broken system through tough enforcement and a humane immigration policy.

"We have people desperate for work, and we have businesses who need workers," said Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas, head of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson. The bill balances those needs and would get migrants out of the deadly desert, he said.

Supporters believe the measure's bipartisan nature will help it pass.

"This is first time immigration reform has been approached in a bipartisan fashion," said Cecilia Munoz, vice president of the National Council for La Raza.

Opponents, such as state Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the bill amounts to amnesty and will have little chance at passage.

Kolbe gave no time line for the bill. Galaviz and Arreola hope the measure passes eventually. They said they'd gladly pay the $2,000.

"It's worth it," Arreola said. "All we want is to be part of the American dream, just like everybody else."

OH sure.....like Americans can't clean tables. I'm sick to death of this type of propaganda......GO HOME....we'll clean our own tables if need be.

The American Dream is over.....

It's been sold out by aliens and their sponsors; our elected traitorous officials; and business greed that takes your appetite away.

I used to like Mexican Food.....but NO MORE.

The ONLY MEXICAN FOOD I'm going to eat is what I cook myself!!

That way NO ONE will have to clean tables in a Mexican Restaurant and Arrelo can go home to her country of origin and clean tables there. I expect there's alot of cleaning to do in her country of origin.

Judy, you said it all for me? Are you a long distance mind reader? You can speak for me ANYTIME!!!!
OUTSTANDING POST ButterBean.
The intelligence in this PAC is astounding.

Sixx...my pleasure and I'll do my best to say it the best way every chance I get!!!!

You know what they say "Great Minds Think Alike!!"

Gotta run out now and buy my ingredients for Enchilades Jude Style!!