Thread: Immigrant voters warn lawmakers against English-only bills

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/200603 ... -9163r.htm

Immigrant voters warn lawmakers against English-only, laborer bills
By Keyonna Summers
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published March 17, 2006

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ANNAPOLIS -- A group of legal immigrants told state lawmakers yesterday that voting for anti-immigration bills would cost them votes.

The group, known as the Friends of New Marylanders, includes about 25 African, Asian and Hispanic organizations that lobby against legislation targeting illegal aliens. Members say census data show that naturalized citizens make up about 4 percent of Maryland voters.

"We are immigrants, and we vote," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA of Maryland, which is part of the group. "We want to send the message very clearly that we are going to vote against these anti-immigrant legislators who are attacking our communities."

The members primarily are concerned about legislation sponsored by Delegate Patrick L. McDonough, Baltimore and Harford counties Republican, that would make English the official language of the Maryland government and force day-laborer centers to check immigration status. They also oppose bills that would revoke the licenses of businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens and would bar illegal aliens from obtaining driver's licenses.

Mr. McDonough said his bills are intended to help legal immigrants by protecting state services that illegal aliens are draining. The bills were discussed in hearings yesterday.

"These are what I call pro-immigration bills [because] they would affect legal immigrants in a positive way," he said. "If you eliminate the lawbreakers, there would be more services as far as English teachers and at day-laborer centers."

Delegate Kevin Kelly, Allegany Democrat, is co-sponsoring the official-language bill that would mandate that documents printed in a foreign language also include an English version. He said U.S. immigrants should be encouraged to speak English and to assimilate.

"The common bond of this country is communication, [so] it is in the best interests of the immigrants and their children," Mr. Kelly said. "They will excel in school and in their workplace opportunities."

He acknowledged that "multilingualism" creates advantages, but said the primary language of those in the United States must be English.

"It's absolutely critical that you be able to speak English in this country," Mr. Kelly said. "If you don't, doors will be closed to you."

Critics who assembled at the House building said an English-only bill would eliminate language services for newly arrived legal immigrants "who need them the most."

"Every immigrant knows that to get ahead and be successful, we need to learn English," said Delegate Susan C. Lee, Montgomery County Democrat and one of several lawmakers who joined the immigrant voters. "But we don't need the state to pass laws that are really under the jurisdiction of the federal government."

Though lawmakers say the bills are meant to crack down on the state's estimated 250,000 illegal aliens, Chung Pak, chairman of the League of Korean Americans, said the bills would affect legal immigrants because they may lead to ethnic profiling.

"A number of these bills do not distinguish between legal versus illegal or even U.S. citizen versus legal resident," he said. "We feel strongly that [these bills] will promote discrimination against people who don't speak English very well or who just happen to have immigrant features. Businesses will shy away from hiring people who look like they might be undocumented."

"A number of these bills do not distinguish between legal versus illegal or even U.S. citizen versus legal resident," he said. "We feel strongly that [these bills] will promote discrimination against people who don't speak English very well or who just happen to have immigrant features. Businesses will shy away from hiring people who look like they might be undocumented."

If you don't like the fact that this is an English speaking nation and you don't like the fact that you might be forced to learn our language then go back to where you came from and you can speak your native language all you want.

Originally Posted by dman1200

"A number of these bills do not distinguish between legal versus illegal or even U.S. citizen versus legal resident," he said. "We feel strongly that [these bills] will promote discrimination against people who don't speak English very well or who just happen to have immigrant features. Businesses will shy away from hiring people who look like they might be undocumented."

If you don't like the fact that this is an English speaking nation and you don't like the fact that you might be forced to learn our language then go back to where you came from and you can speak your native language all you want.

I feel the same way! What is it these people want? Do they want us to also change the American Flag so it will be like their's. After all, we wouldnt want to offend them. For crying out loud, learn english. Every nation in the world wouldnt allow you to enter their nation, without expecting you to learn their language and conform to their cultures. Whats wrong with you arrogant people???

They always try to play the politics of race and national origin. Multilingual societies DON'T WORK--Never have and never will! People MUST have a functional knowledge of the dominant language, otherwise we risk balkanization into ethnic enclaves. I would never move to say, Germany, and make no effort to learn the language. Even if I primarily interacted socially with other Americans and English speakers, out of respect and deference to my host country I would figure out how to get by and get fluent.