Thread: MO/KS: Coalition answers immigration foes

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 584191.htm

Posted on Wed, Jan. 31, 2007



Coalition answers immigration foes
Group members say movements such as the Minuteman corps are rooted in racism.
By LYNN FRANEY
The Kansas City Star

A group of pro-immigrant organizations announced Tuesday the formation of a coalition to combat what they called bigoted anti-immigrant groups.

The new Missouri-Kansas Coalition Against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Bigotry includes civil rights advocates, union members, immigration lawyers and religious leaders.

Organizers said that 700 people in Kansas and Missouri have signed a coalition statement “rejecting the politics of fear, hatred and armed vigilantism.”

The coalition plans to train speakers to share its opposition to racism and bigotry. It was formed to support immigrants and speak out against such groups as the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, which is active along the U.S.-Mexican border and has formed chapters in the Kansas City region.

Local Minuteman representatives said their group looks out for violations of immigration law and tries to report violations to authorities.

Such efforts bother Angela Ferguson, an immigration lawyer who organized the coalition. Enforcing immigration law is up to the government, she said. Being in the United States without proper documentation is a civil violation, not technically a crime, she said.

Individuals who try to enforce federal immigration law often are motivated by a false sense of patriotism, she said.

Ferguson said Minuteman meetings that she has attended included “ridiculous characterizations” that immigrants carry dangerous diseases and have a cultural predisposition to drive drunk.

Ed Hayes of Overland Park, the Kansas director for the Minuteman organization, said he was proud of his involvement. His group simply is motivated by a desire to see immigration laws enforced, he said.

The group is not against immigrants, said Hayes. It is against illegal immigration.

“We are against people breaking the law to come into our country, and we want politicians to enforce the law,” he said.

The group is not against immigrants, said Hayes. It is against illegal immigration.

“We are against people breaking the law to come into our country, and we want politicians to enforce the law,” he said.

How clear can you say it how many times do you say it...We don't believe people shuld get rewarded for committing crime........?????????????????????????????????????

Last time I checked enforcement of laws is not just a federal requirement. The federal government consist of we the people who are suppose to support enforcement of the laws as well as obeying them. It is a crime not to report most crimes.

Originally Posted by Beckyal

Last time I checked enforcement of laws is not just a federal requirement. The federal government consist of we the people who are suppose to support enforcement of the laws as well as obeying them. It is a crime not to report most crimes.

It would also be a crime if we just sat back and closed our eyes as we have for the last 20 years,

It is our duty to make sure our laws enforcement is doing the job we pay them to do. when we are remise in our duties to our country we deserve what we get!!

Not anymore we want our country back from criminals ALL CRIMINALS