Thread: End immigration sweeps, activists say

"Enough with hating us like we are the worst delinquents," said Concepción Loyola de Pacheco of Fresno.

"We want to live happily and at peace."


You don't have to hate anyone to expect American sovereignty.
We're glad for you to live happily and at peace, in your own country.






End immigration sweeps, activists sayProtesters gather in Fresno to condemn Mendota roundup.By Vanessa Colón / The Fresno Bee03/09/07 05:57:25
Valley activists urged local members of Congress on Thursday to support a moratorium on immigration sweeps and comprehensive immigration reform.
About a dozen people gathered in downtown Fresno on Tulare and O streets to condemn the roundup of undocumented workers in Mendota and the nationwide sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Raids do little more than polarize the community and criminalize only the workers. ... It does nothing to fix the problem," said Estela Galván, program associate of the Pan Valley Institute, part of the nonprofit Quaker group, American Friends Service Committee.

Some groups opposed to illegal immigration consider the sweeps the right step.

"We are glad to see the government is finally taking steps to enforce the law," Caroline Espinosa, a spokeswoman for NumbersUSA, said by phone from Arlington, Va.

NumbersUSA advocates for the reduction of legal and illegal immigration.

The activists plan to drum up support by visiting the local offices of Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

They hope to stop by the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. Some activists plan to fly to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress next week.

Last month, immigration agents swept through Mendota, a small farming community of about 8,000 residents in west Fresno County.

City officials estimated about 200 people were arrested. Some children were left without parents.

"Operation Return to Sender" targets people with deportation orders issued by a judge, but agents can pick up other undocumented immigrants they come in contact with, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration officials said some of those they've netted are criminals.

"Enough with hating us like we are the worst delinquents," said Concepción Loyola de Pacheco of Fresno.

"We want to live happily and at peace."

Espinosa said it's unfortunate that families have been separated because of the sweeps but said: "They were fully aware of what the consequences are of coming here illegally and getting caught."

Radanovich and Costa have been active supporters of comprehensive immigration reform such as the AgJobs bill, which would grant temporary legal status to immigrants who could prove they had worked in agriculture for a certain period of time and could earn permanent legal residency if they continued working in agriculture.

"He feels that any reform that is not comprehensive doesn't address the problem," said Michael Lukens, Radanovich's press secretary.

Costa said he hasn't met with the activists but said the sweeps create a difficult situation for families.

"The law is the law, which is why we need to get comprehensive immigration reform," he said.

Espinosa, however, calls comprehensive immigration reform another form of amnesty.

"You cannot reward illegal behavior," she said.
The reporter can be reached at vcolon@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6313.

End immigration sweeps, activists sayProtesters gather in Fresno to condemn Mendota roundup.By Vanessa Colón / The Fresno Bee03/09/07 05:57:25
Valley activists urged local members of Congress on Thursday to support a moratorium on immigration sweeps and comprehensive immigration reform.
About a dozen people gathered in downtown Fresno on Tulare and O streets to condemn the roundup of undocumented workers in Mendota and the nationwide sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Raids do little more than polarize the community and criminalize only the workers. ... It does nothing to fix the problem," said Estela Galván, program associate of the Pan Valley Institute, part of the nonprofit Quaker group, American Friends Service Committee.

Some groups opposed to illegal immigration consider the sweeps the right step.

"We are glad to see the government is finally taking steps to enforce the law," Caroline Espinosa, a spokeswoman for NumbersUSA, said by phone from Arlington, Va.

NumbersUSA advocates for the reduction of legal and illegal immigration.

The activists plan to drum up support by visiting the local offices of Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

They hope to stop by the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. Some activists plan to fly to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress next week.

Last month, immigration agents swept through Mendota, a small farming community of about 8,000 residents in west Fresno County.

City officials estimated about 200 people were arrested. Some children were left without parents.

"Operation Return to Sender" targets people with deportation orders issued by a judge, but agents can pick up other undocumented immigrants they come in contact with, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration officials said some of those they've netted are criminals.

"Enough with hating us like we are the worst delinquents," said Concepción Loyola de Pacheco of Fresno.

"We want to live happily and at peace."

Espinosa said it's unfortunate that families have been separated because of the sweeps but said: "They were fully aware of what the consequences are of coming here illegally and getting caught."

Radanovich and Costa have been active supporters of comprehensive immigration reform such as the AgJobs bill, which would grant temporary legal status to immigrants who could prove they had worked in agriculture for a certain period of time and could earn permanent legal residency if they continued working in agriculture.

"He feels that any reform that is not comprehensive doesn't address the problem," said Michael Lukens, Radanovich's press secretary.

Costa said he hasn't met with the activists but said the sweeps create a difficult situation for families.

"The law is the law, which is why we need to get comprehensive immigration reform," he said.

Espinosa, however, calls comprehensive immigration reform another form of amnesty.

"You cannot reward illegal behavior," she said.
The reporter can be reached at vcolon@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6313.

http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/34216.html

You cannot live happy and in peace without respecting the rule of law, if you break the laws of the land you are in, you should live in fear of being found out punished. We are a nation of laws, that means all of our laws, not just the ones you choose to abide by, while ignoring and breaking with impunity the ones you do feel are right and fit your needs. I would not think to break into your country, so show me the same respect I would show you. The good book, says, obey the laws of the land, render unto Ceaser what is Ceasers, if you break one law, you break them all. Please leave my country by the back door you entered into, then come on around to the front door, as an invited guest, then, I will pay you the respect you deserve, then and only then, will I call you an American!

If you want to be happy and live in peace go back to your own countries as you are criminals here.

Its time for the laws to be obeyed and the whinning to stop!!!Jjust what makes these people think they are special and it's ok if they break the law, why is it any different than someone who robs a bank or steals from walmart ETC. or breaks into my house, because I have something they want!!

Espinosa said it's unfortunate that families have been separated because of the sweeps but said: "They were fully aware of what the consequences are of coming here illegally and getting caught."

There could not be a more truthful statement.
Every single illegal alien knew what they were and are doing is wrong and that there could well be consequences and yet they cry and whine when they're caught and yell demands for what they have no right to, by the million.

By their own rhetoric, their own actions and their own choices illegal aliens have nullified any reason for any Americans to give in to their demands or to feel in any way sympathetic.

The illegal alien message we send must to be changed from there could be consequences to there WILL be consequences if you come here without our permission or if you stay here without our permission.