Posted on Sat, Jun. 16, 2007

IMMIGRATION BILL PULLED THEN RETURNS
Immigrants taken on up-and-down ride
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ
fordonez@charlotteobserver.com

Jose Zamora says he has saved almost $75,000 with his wife and brothers toward their dream of opening a family restaurant. He raised the money over five years by working double shifts at restaurants starting at 8 a.m. and often not ending until 2 a.m.

As he picked seeds from chilies this week at his current job, the 27-year-old cook said the only thing holding him back from his dream is legal residency.

He thought, for a few days at least, all that was about to change last week before U.S. senators failed to back a bill that would have given 12 million illegal immigrants a path to legal residency.

"We were all excited about what was happening, to live without fear," he said. "Then, everything fell apart."

The mood inside this Mexican taqueria in Charlotte over the past several days reflects the roller coaster of emotions felt by many in the Latino community. Last week, as customers ate delicacies such as tacos de lengua (beef tongue), they patted each other on the back watching news broadcasts on restaurant televisions about momentum behind the immigration bill, employees said.

Feelings quickly changed by last weekend when support from senators suddenly faltered. But emotions were back up Friday as news spread that lawmakers would take up the controversial issue again.

"People are still hopeful," said Jose Ricardo Torres, 28, eating a late lunch in a booth with his 9-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

Opponents who derailed the bill last week had characterized it as amnesty and wanted additional resources placed on border security.

Just as the bill was being eulogized, the Senate agreed to reopen the debate Thursday after President Bush endorsed a plan to speed up $4.4 billion for border security projects.

Its passage, however, is far from certain.

Support in some media

The Communities for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a local group of Latino advocates, has been on a lobbying blitz this week urging immigrants to call, e-mail and fax N.C. members of Congress and push for the bill's passage.The group set up a toll-free 800 number for immigrants to connect them with their local lawmaker and tells them in a recorded message what to say in English: "Support immigration reform that protects families and workers."

Mario Lopez, a spokesman for the group, encouraged radio listeners of Spanish-language WGSP-AM ("La Tremenda" 1310) on Wednesday morning to keep up the pressure.

"The calls that you're doing are going to affect the debate and can help the immigrants," he told the audience.

Spanish-language station WNOW-AM ("Radio Lider" 1030) dedicates parts of its morning show to the measure and has called lawmakers live on-air.

In fact, several local Spanish-language media outlets have decided to take an official stance in support of legalizing undocumented immigrants.

Mi Gente and Qué Pasa newspapers have given advocates free advertising.

"We don't think there is any doubt whether they should be legalized," said Rafael Prieto, editor and publisher of Mi Gente.

`What ifs' stir worry

Many advocates fear the bill's failure in Washington would only harden ill feelings in the Charlotte region toward illegal immigrants, put more pressure on county and city government to enact measures to crack down on illegal immigrants and create shortages of unskilled laborers.

"The bad is only going to get worse," said Angeles Ortega-Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition.

The coalition said the immigration debate has also opened doors for some to prey on unsuspecting immigrants. The coalition's director of operations, Raquel Lynch, said they've received more than 20 calls a month since January, double from last year, from immigrants who say they've heard from "notarios" and other so-called immigration experts who claim they can help them become legal -- for a fee.

Several Charlotte immigrants who spoke to the Observer said that if the bill fails, they will consider leaving the country.

Outside the restaurant, Javier Garza said he plans to return to Mexico. He questions whether it's worth staying, considering recent state legislation to prevent the undocumented from getting driver's licenses, and the sheriff's program to deport illegal immigrants who are charged with crimes..

Garza, who has three children, does not want to put his family through the turmoil.

"I'm tired of waiting for immigration reform," he said. "I'm tired of having the toughest jobs. I'm tired of not having insurance for my children."

Zamora ran up a $65 long-distance bill, he said, calling his parents and brothers in Mexico to relay the good, the bad, and then good news.

"I'm trying to have faith for change," he said. "Hopefully, it will be soon, for all us immigrants."

Franco Ordoñez: 704-358-6180

Immigration Statistics

• As many as 12 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S.• About 390,000 illegal immigrants live in North Carolina. About 55,000 live in South Carolina.

Debate on the Table

The immigration bill would offer legal status to 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., create a guest-worker program, stiffen workplace enforcement and boost border security. Key amendments to be debated:

• A requirement that all undocumented immigrants return to their home country to apply for a "Z-visa" that would let them remain in the U.S. as long as they have jobs.

• Penalties, including jail terms, for people who overstay tourist, student or work visas.

• A visa tracking system that allows law enforcement to check whether people overstayed their visas.

• A tamper-proof Social Security card to prevent forgeries.