Rally Held Against Illegal Immigration

Last Update: 3/01 9:11 pm

Reported by: Danielle Dubetz
Photographer: Andy Grosek

Just about every weekend there's a protest outside of El Sol, a center that helps
laborers, regardless of their legal status, find work.

Today the gathering was a protest and a political platform.

Feet away from El Sol, Jupiter's Neighborhood Resource Center,
people held American flags and rallied against illegal immigration.

State Representative Gayle Harrell was also in attendance, to push House Bill 8-21.

"What we have now are illegals coming across the border walking into our emergency rooms, coming here getting jobs, and having broken the law to start with," Harrell said.

Most people want tougher immigration reform but not everyone here agrees.

Elena Garcia came to America as an unaccompanied child, now a U.S. citizen, it wasn't long before she found herself in a heated debate.

"This is a big country, there's a lot of people and the reason it has prosperity is because of the immigrants. Immigrants are human beings, whether they are legal or illegal," Garcia said.

"If they're legal immigrants, fine. We want them, we need them, we're all immigrants," said one protestor, "We're all children of immigrants. We need immigrants to build this country so I have no problem whatsoever with that. The key word is LEGAL!"

Another group was just as passionate.

"I am a legal immigrant-slash-citizen. I waited for 5 years to get my citizenship. I've been in this country for over 50 years. I earned for everything. But when somebody comes in and wants everything for nothing, I'm against it," said Kyria Kidis who's originally from Greece.

"What's the big beef?" asked reporter, Danielle Dubetz.

"That we're being ripped off big time by the government by allowing illegals to stay in the country," said another protestor.

They say they welcome law-abbiding immigrants, as long as they're legal.

"As much as you want to say they pay taxes, they don't!" he said.

El Sol disagrees. Representatives said undocumented immigrants pay taxes any time they make a purchase, including rent.

They also said they'd like to see immigration reform, one that can help those who are already here become citizens and eliminate the necessity for places like El Sol

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