Thread: Immigrants taken on up-and-down ride

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.

I am sorry but building homes and home construction is not unskilled. My uncles and many of my family once made good money raised their families and retired doing these jobs. Now they are called unskilled? Why because illegals have brought the wages down. But if you haven't noticed the price of new homes hasn't dropped. More money for the builders and companies. I have 2 sons both in the construction field who can't find a decent home construction job. If you don't speak spanish or want to work under the table. They don't want you! This is just some more propaganda being fed to us. What hog wash!

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.

You mean the ILLEGAL ALIEN community.

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

Hey, has some been lurking around here... You know what they say, imitation is the best form of flattery.

How was he able to save $75,000?
Sounds like he was living off of welfare and saving the cash that he earned.

Originally Posted by sgt_shlitz

How was he able to save $75,000?
Sounds like he was living off of welfare and saving the cash that he earned.

I couldn't agree more. I have a decent paying job and work a lot of OT and am good at saving money...but I couldn't save that much in 5 years...unless the rest of you hard working Americans would like to contribute in the form of welfare for me? How 'bout it? Any help for me out there?

Originally Posted by posylady

I am sorry but building homes and home construction is not unskilled. My uncles and many of my family once made good money raised their families and retired doing these jobs. Now they are called unskilled? Why because illegals have brought the wages down. But if you haven't noticed the price of new homes hasn't dropped. More money for the builders and companies. I have 2 sons both in the construction field who can't find a decent home construction job. If you don't speak spanish or want to work under the table. They don't want you! This is just some more propaganda being fed to us. What hog wash!

Posy...I think they call it "unskilled" hoping we'll believe it, and that no American will do this "unskilled" job...therefore, it's 'ok' to give it to someone who doesn't even belong in this country. So the owners of the companies who hire these pigs can pocket even more profit than they already do, which is sinful to begin with.

$75,000 = $25,000 per year. I'm sure all of us are able to save that much-NOT. Not here anyway.

the work illegals do is unskilled. Does anybody remember the house under construction in Charlotte? The third-floor covered deck fell off the house with the roofers on top. None could speak English.

There was a multi-million $ government building that wouldn't pass final inspection. Americans were brought in to straighten the mess out causing a long delay in opening.

[/b]75,000 thousand dollars in 5 years

How the heck does somebody do that? I really would
like to know. What didn't he pay? How many people
shared rent with him? For god's sake....I know he did
not pay taxes and save that much and if he was a taxpaying
citizen the government would be taking a big chunk of that
money.

The article just goes to show if we become serious about our law enforcement they will deport themselves.

Originally Posted by sgt_shlitz

How was he able to save $75,000?
Sounds like he was living off of welfare and saving the cash that he earned.

He lives in a house with 15 or more other people so his cost of living is close to nil , they live in a middle class neighborhood of Americans who work hard to keep their yards and streets clean, now these 15 people park 15 cars all over the lawns and streets, they may do landscaping for a living but let the home they live in turn into a home that looks like it belongs in the slums,throw trash and beer bottles all over the neigborhood beause they have never been taught about littering, soon the value of your home as gone to hell in a hand basket while they have saved enough to purchase a business or a home of their own.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All you LOOKIE LOU"S out there in the backround yes you! COME ON GET INVOLVED!! If you have a question or need help just ask! one of these wonderful ALIPAC members will get back to you!! AND A BIG WELCOME!!
"RED ALERT"
We need a flood of 'No compromise" calls and e-mails into these Senate offices fast! Bush is bribing Republican TO PUSH S1348. Come on everyone time is crucial call all the senators not just your own.
LETS ROLL!! you are the new patriots!

INSTRUCTIONS AND POSTING THREAD LINK BELOW!
Leave posts so we know what they are saying!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... 388#387388