Illegal immigrants hoping to buy permanent residency in US
Witness says Kaweah made $30,000 daily
BY RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle
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Witness says Kaweah made $30,000 daily
08/08/08 fraught with superstitions
Eduviges del Carmen-Zamora testified in federal court Thursday that $30,000 a day flowed through the office of the so-called Kaweah Indian Nation from illegal immigrants hoping to buy permanent residency in this country.
Zamora said she handed stacks of money orders to Malcolm Webber attached to applications for membership in the unrecognized tribe.
Prosecutors contend the Kaweahs aren't a real American Indian tribe, as Webber stands trial in Wichita on charges including harboring illegal aliens and fraud.
The defense, meanwhile, indicated Webber may not have been the "grand chief" the prosecution claims.
Zamora said she believed Webber's promise, as did thousands seeking a permanent legal home in America. She remembered Webber saying that people from Latin America were originally of American Indian descent and were forced out by European settlers.
"They were American Indians, better than the white Americans," Zamora said she heard Webber say.
For people who had problems with immigration, some of whom had risk their lives to cross the border, Zamora said Webber's claims were like salvation.
Zamora, born in El Salvador, was living in Kansas legally. She had a green card to work. She kept records of her wages and paid her taxes.
But when she first heard of the Kaweah Indians, her husband, Angel, had been denied an extension of his work permit.
"We were waiting for the attorney to bring us some word, but we hadn't heard anything for a year," she testified.
Then last year, through her church in Wichita, she met two people from Jacksonville, Texas.
"They asked our pastor, 'have you not heard of the tribe helping Hispanics?' " Zamora said, testifying through an interpreter. "The one who gives out the papers."
A woman from church later visited Zamora's home and told her about the Kaweahs and Webber, known as Grand Chief Thunderbird IV.
"This could be a solution for your husband," Zamora said she told her.
Few in the Kaweah office spoke Spanish, Zamora said. But she spoke the language, as did most people who applied for Kaweah memberships.
Webber hired her to interpret and help around the office.
Zamora said she could understand English but wanted to testify in her native language because of the legal complexities of court.
She earlier pleaded guilty to not reporting a felony in exchange for her testimony and the promise she won't be deported.
Zamora said she interpreted for Webber when Spanish-speaking pastors brought their parishioners to Wichita.
"He told them that this is a great opportunity God has given us, so no one will suffer anymore," Zamora said of Webber. "They are going to have health benefits, government loans, Social Security. They are going to have everything, but they will have to be patient. And he told them to pray."
He also told them to pay $80 for a citizenship certificate in the Kaweah tribe and an identification card. As the money poured in, the price went up -- sometimes hundreds of dollars.
Zamora said she knew people in Dodge City who were able to get Kansas drivers' licenses with Kaweah I.D., and she saw at least one Social Security card someone claimed to have obtained via tribal membership.
But the defense was most interested when Zamora talked about Webber's boss.
She testified she met the man, who is not charged, one day at the office.
"He was the high chief," Zamora said.
The trial continues today.
http://www.kansas.com/213/story/487466.html
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