Thread: Groups say, 'No human is illegal' (in-state tuition!)

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/p ... 1154.shtml

Groups say, 'No human is illegal'
Top Stories | 4/27/2005
Student organizations rally on West Mall for immigrant rights
By Marie Delahoussaye



Like other seniors, the 80 undocumented UT immigrant students graduating this semester are concerned about their future job prospects. But unlike their documented counterparts, these students' dilemma depends on more than the fluctuating job market.

More than 280 undocumented immigrants currently attend the University under a state law that allows illegal immigrants access to Texas public schools. However, the law has no provision that would allow them to work after graduation.

Mirla Lopez, a government and pre-law junior, said she doesn't know what she will do when she completes her degree.

"Go back to flipping burgers at Whataburger?" Lopez said.

Lopez, historian for Young Immigrants for a Better Future, attended a rally supporting immigrant rights Tuesday organized by the Latino Leadership Council, an umbrella organization of UT Latino groups, and the International Socialist Organization.

The theme of the event was "No Human is Illegal."

"The anti-immigration right is trying to say, 'We're not against immigration per se; we're against illegal immigration,'" said Michael Corwin, a member of ISO and UT faculty who spoke at the event. "It's important that we reject that division. The reality is that our economic system wants, needs and requires immigrant labor, period."

Several students criticized Corwin and other speakers at the rally.

"We now live in a day and age where we rely on legal mechanisms for the protection of our borders," said Stuart Reeves, a philosophy senior.

Reeves said that in order to increase security against terrorism, the country can't make an exception for Mexico but must maintain tight control of all borders. Reeves said he didn't like the catchphrase, "No Human is Illegal," because he said it disregards the importance of laws.

"I don't like hearing things like, 'This country was stolen,'" Reeves added. He said it is more important to accept the current situation and work within the system to enact change.

For Lopez, the issue at hand is the Development, Relief and Education for Minors Act, which she is hoping will pass the U.S. Congress this year. The DREAM act, introduced in 2004 by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, would allow undocumented minors to apply for conditional residency status and eventually earn permanent residency, if they fulfill certain conditions.

To qualify, a minor must have lived in the United States for more than five years before the age of 15. After graduating from high school, the student would be eligible to apply for conditional status, which authorizes up to six years of residency. After six years have passed, permanent residency would be granted if the student has attended college or served in the military for at least two years and demonstrated "good moral character."

Lopez said if the DREAM Act passes after this year, it will be too late for her, because she will turn 21. Lopez said she has few options.

She could apply for permanent residency, which would take a minimum of 12 years; she could leave the country, in which case she would have to stay out of the United States for 10 years before applying for a visa; or she could attempt to work as an illegal immigrant in this country and accept the limitations that imposes.

But Lopez said she is not only fighting for herself.

"We fight for the kids [who] are coming from high school," she said.

Lopez moved to the United States with her mother and younger brother when she was 6 years old. The family traveled from state to state, following agricultural employment opportunities for her mother.

"She worked really hard for us to be able to attend school every single day," Lopez said.

Switching schools so often was difficult, Lopez said, but she learned to make friends and adjust quickly to new situations. Still, Lopez said she faced prejudices as a Mexican immigrant.

"They tried to put me in home economics when I wanted an aerospace class," Lopez said.

On Tuesday, Lopez stood up to tell the crowd her story.

"I'm an undocumented immigrant, and I've been here, and I'm in college, and I'm working really hard," she said. "I'm here, so get used to it."

she said. "I'm here, so get used to it."

Anyone Call ICE yet?

Originally Posted by jp_48504

she said. "I'm here, so get used to it."

Anyone Call ICE yet?

These people are so arrogant! Call ICE? Why? What will they do?

Originally Posted by butterbean

Originally Posted by jp_48504

she said. "I'm here, so get used to it."

Anyone Call ICE yet?

These people are so arrogant! Call ICE? Why? What will they do?

the same thing the Real ID will do....Nothing

Honey, You're Goin' Home....So Get Used to THAT!!

'No human is illegal'

I have news for you. You ARE illegal. So get used to it!
Or, you can go back to Mexico. Maybe they care.

It just kills me that they think they can come into the country illegally and then want the same rights as legal citizens.

You mean there are consequences to breaking the law? Who would have thunk? Go back to your home country and get a job!

These illegals wouldn't be so outspoken if ICE did their job.

Its intolerable, unacceptable, and will END soon. This illegal free ride is OVER. And the Institutions and Individuals that have created it need to be held criminally and civilly liable.

Hey...BTW....O'Reilly went after George Soros tonight, his Open Society (Open Borders), and his "billionaire friends" working towards World Government....does someone read my stuff that can DO SOMETHING????

Hope so. Hi O'Reilly!!! Great work tonight!! Keep digging, dig deeper, you can tell those guests were "nervous".... SOROS and his CRONES are scary.....but keep it up....get it ALL OUT ON THE TABLE and please do it SOON!!! Give Davey Rock.... a call....!! Get that commie pig sty aired out, too, while you're at it.

GO Bill O'Reilly!!!!

Originally Posted by Judy

Honey, You're Goin' Home....So Get Used to THAT!!

See ya. Wouldn't want to be ya!!!
We told the brain trust in Austin this would happen. Educated Anchor Babies that can't do NOTHING with their degrees HERE. You are not in Jalisco anymore, Dorothy.