Thread: Groups, area residents talk about reform immigration

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_4141876

Article Launched: 8/06/2006 12:00 AM
Groups, area residents talk about reform immigration Zahira Torres / El Paso Times

Hundreds of El Pasoans and local organizations Saturday discussed the importance of creating comprehensive immigration reform that considers the opinions of immigrants and border communities.
Groups including the Border Network for Human Rights, Annunciation House and the Diocese of El Paso gathered for a town hall meeting at UTEP's Tomas Rivera Conference Room to discuss their concerns and offer possible solutions.
"We want to talk about how we can do this better," said Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights. "There is a general frustration about how the government, specifically Congress, has been debating the issue of immigration reform."
Panelists at the event -- which included Sunland Park Mayor Ruben Segura and Jonathan Huhn, regional assistant for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's office -- heard testimony from immigrants.
Speakers discussed how proposed policies would affect the lives of border residents, expressed concerns about human rights violations and suggested solutions, which included shortening the time it takes to get a resident visa and offering more visas so that people who want to immigrate will have more opportunities to accomplish the feat legally.
"I represent dozens of people in my community who are scared to report the abuses that we experience because of our status," said Gabriela Castañeda, a mother of three.
The 22-year-old, who has lived in far East El Paso County for seven years, said she wants to be a legal resident so that she can attend college.
Attendees hope to release a compilation of the testimony and a summary of outcomes within a week "as the first step to building a unified vision on the issue of immigration reform," Garcia said.
Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.

Hmmm, and this is newsworthy? Groups and residents all over the country are talking about the issue, but many are using a different tone than those this articles reporter identified.

Groups including the Border Network for Human Rights, Annunciation House and the Diocese of El Paso gathered for a town hall meeting at UTEP's Tomas Rivera Conference Room to discuss their concerns and offer possible solutions.

All open border and pro-illegal immigrant advocacy groups.