Thread: no business to ask about

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../-1/BUSINESS07

CALL FOR RIGHTS: Anti-immigration policies galvanize hundreds

June 5, 2006

BY NIRAJ WARIKOO

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Chanting "Fix it now!" hundreds of Latino immigrants rallied inside a Detroit church Sunday to criticize proposed laws and polices that they say target minorities unfairly, and some announced initiatives to preserve their rights.

The afternoon gathering at Ste. Anne de Detroit Catholic Church featured a range of speakers representing various Latino, Arab-American and African-American groups. They called for unity to fight racial profiling, punitive immigration bills and limited access to education. The meeting came as Congress and the Michigan Legislature consider proposals that would affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the state and millions across the country.

At the rally, an aide to Detroit City Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. said the councilman might introduce a measure that would prohibit police and other city employees from questioning residents about their immigration status or ethnicity. Latinos are sometimes pulled over by police and questioned about their immigration papers, instead of being asked about their driver's license or registration, said metro Detroit residents at the meeting.

"I don't like it when they ask about something they have no business to ask about," said Laura Serrados, 24, an immigrant from Mexico who lives in Ecorse.

The ordinance would address profiling not just of Latinos, but of other ethnic and racial groups, said Cockrel's legislative assistant, Dale Foster. The councilman plans to meet with local immigrant and religious groups sometime in the next month to discuss the possible ordinance, he said.

"We don't want to discriminate against anyone," Foster said.

The Rev. Don Hanchon, pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit, said legislation is needed "so immigrants don't have to live in fear of those who protect them." Advocates said they hope Detroit suburbs will consider similar proposals.

"Racial profiling is wrong," whether it's done against Latinos, African Americans, or Arab Americans, said Ishmael Ahmed, executive director of the Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

Michigan is considering several bills that would hurt immigrants, said state Rep. Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit, whose 12th district in southwest Detroit is home to many immigrants. One bill would make it difficult for state agencies to use languages other than English in communicating with residents. Speaking at the rally, Tobocman also expressed concern about undocumented immigrants' inability to receive workers compensation when they are injured on the job.

A range of churches and groups from across the region participated Sunday. Members of churches in Pontiac, Ecorse and Detroit attended the rally, as did members of the Council on American-Islamic Affairs and the Jewish Community Council. The Detroit-based coalition group Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength, or MOSES, was the primary organizer.

Education was another issue discussed at the rally. Currently, it's difficult for undocumented high school graduates to go to college, said Edith Castillo, executive director for Detroit-baesd LA SED, Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development.

The children of undocumented immigrants must now pay out-of-state tuition for public universities. Castillo said universities in Michigan should allow undocumented high school graduates to pay lower in-state tuition. Castillo and other advocates say they will be working with area universities to get

"I don't like it when they ask about something they have no business to ask about," said Laura Serrados, 24, an immigrant from Mexico who lives in Ecorse.

We have laws against illegally sneaking into our country my lady!!!

Racial profiling is wrong," whether it's done against Latinos, African Americans, or Arab Americans, said Ishmael Ahmed, executive director of the Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

And these guys make the rules for America? Everyone has their opinion but our national safety is reserved for Americans not infidels. Leave it to the Dearborn-based arab community for a biased opinion. They don't come here to assimilate and be american. Racial profiling is what THEY do against americans!!!

This the same old story and dance routine of illegal aliens: "racial profiling" ...."no right to question immigration status"...."the right to this and that" even when they don't have the right to be in this country. And it is not discrimination when we expect our citizens to understand and use English....illegal aliens don't have the right to mandate anything in this country.

Tobocman also expressed concern about undocumented immigrants' inability to receive workers compensation when they are injured on the job.

Give me a break. Our system is already overburdened by workers compensation claims from our own citizens who are less-than-honest. We need more claims?

Racial profiling is wrong," whether it's done against Latinos, African Americans, or Arab Americans

So-called 'racial profiling' is a necessary evil. I am 'profiled' every day. Sure, law enforcement can make erroneous assumptions based on appearances, but once all is said and done, can't we take necessary precautions and suffer minor inconveniences in order to prevent another 9-11?

Where are these illegals and Visa workers supposed to work in the USA..all companies are moving out of the USA!

So those of us that do have jobs, do we have to support all these foreigners for life?

"Racial profiling is wrong," whether it's done against Latinos, African Americans, or Arab Americans, said Ishmael Ahmed, executive director of the Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

You forgot to mention "caucaisans".

"I don't like it when they ask about something they have no business to ask about," said Laura Serrados, 24, an immigrant from Mexico who lives in Ecorse.

Oh, so we're not supposed to uphold our own laws? I'll be happy to tell my residential status (CITIZEN) to anyone.

What nerve!!!! Of course, that attitude is engendered by our treasonous gov't's encouragement of illegal immigration.

Butterbean, don't you realize that "Caucasians" don't count?????

Originally Posted by curiouspat

"I don't like it when they ask about something they have no business to ask about," said Laura Serrados, 24, an immigrant from Mexico who lives in Ecorse.

Oh, so we're not supposed to uphold our own laws? I'll be happy to tell my residential status (CITIZEN) to anyone.

What nerve!!!! Of course, that attitude is engendered by our treasonous gov't's encouragement of illegal immigration.

If I said what I wanted to about her i'd be banned from here

White people are being racially profiled... we are gringos and bigots and racists and xenophobes, etc.