Thread: OR: Immigrants rally in Salem as new license rules begin

Immigrants rally in Salem as new license rules begin

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Story Published: Feb 4, 2008 at 1:17 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2008 at 4:17 PM PST
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER Associated Press Writer
Video

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - About 500 Hispanics marched around the state Capitol Monday to protest tighter rules for getting driver's licenses as sign-bearing advocates for even tighter rules watched from the Capitol steps.

The Legislature is considering a bill that would codify an executive order issued last month by Gov. Ted Kulongoski that requires proof of legal residence in the United States to get an Oregon license, effective Monday.

Hispanics who participated in the march don't like the order signed by Kulongoski, and are concerned legislators could tighten restrictions on getting drivers' licenses even further.

It is not yet clear exactly what the bill will be that reaches the Legislature during the short annual session. The Senate Transportation Committee holds the first hearing Tuesday evening.

But many in the march said they were worried.

"If we can't get licenses, we can't get insurance, nobody will hire us," said Sergio Blandon, 32, who lives near Gervais and declined to discuss his immigration status. "Well, then who will drive the trucks? Them?" he asked gesturing to people on the steps.

"People are going to keep coming here anyway," Blandon said. "If they can't work or drive, then what will they do?"

A man who came to the Woodburn area from the impoverished southern state of Oaxaca 18 years ago and declined to give his name because he is undocumented, drives workers to and from the fields and had similar worries.

"I can't keep my job. If my children get sick can I take them to the clinic?" he asked.

People on the other side of the argument were handing out petitions asking for support of an initiative to pass even stricter laws that would, among other things, allow police to work with immigration officials when they stop an undocumented, unlicensed driver.

"I support the ideals of the petitions," said Roy Duncan of Keizer from the Capitol steps.

He said he was not moved by the problem of insuring drivers with no licenses.

"Most of them don't have insurance, or then get it and then cancel it, or that's what I hear," Duncan said.

It is one of the more emotional issues this legislative session is likely to tackle. Oregon is one of only a handful of states that does not require proof of legal residence. Washington is another.

People who favor tight restrictions contend that makes Oregon a magnet for illegal immigrants. Their numbers in the state are uncertain, but some estimates put it at around 100,000, about a third of the Hispanic population.

"I'm not anti-immigrant," said Dorene Huff of Scio. "If I came (from Mexico) I'd do what they're doing, But it's a snake pit in there," she said gesturing to the doors of the Capitol.

"I would like legal identification, period. All immigrants should be legal. I resent having to press '1' to speak English. This is my country. If I moved to Mexico I would learn Spanish. I'm not radical, I'm just tired."

Ramon Ramirez, who heads Oregon's farmworkers union, said he would like Kulongoski to rescind his order until the Legislature acts. "It makes no sense to change the law twice," he said.

Kulongoski has said he could support a two-tiered license system with one document used for driving only and one for valid ID. But legislative leaders say there is no support for that system this session. Only Utah has it, where about 35,000 of the alternate permits have been issued. State figures there indicate more than 70 percent of those who have them are insured, slightly below the percentage for state's regularly licensed drivers.

Until Monday immigrants, regardless of status, could apply for a license using a certificate from the Mexican Consulate. That ended Monday under Kulongoski's order.

Nick Smith, a spokesman for the House Republicans, said the legislative proposal is intended to erase doubts about the legality of that order.

He said anything the Legislature passes likely will not bring Oregon into full compliance with the federal REAL ID act, which seeks to standardize identification that can be used to board airliners and enter some federal buildings.

But he said the Oregon requirement for a verifiable Social Security number is a first step.

Oregon has said it will ask for an extension to meet the federal REAL ID deadline, set for this spring.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


http://www.katu.com/news/15283481.html

Another lost opportunity to round up and deport 500 illegal aliens... when will America learn that we DON'T let illegals run our country?

I agree.. why is ICE not there en-mass

Started Monday huh great news, I hope the Legislature does not change a thing, it is time to do the will of the people and make everyone abide by the laws of this land.

"If we can't get licenses, we can't get insurance, nobody will hire us,"

Gee, can't this guy take a hint?

Gee, can't this guy take a hint?

""I can't keep my job. If my children get sick can I take them to the clinic?" he asked."

"My job"--actually it is for an American citizen.

"If my children get sick can I take them to the clinic?" --which you suckers pay for at the expense of your own people.

"People are going to keep coming here anyway," Blandon said. "If they can't work or drive, then what will they do?"

A man who came to the Woodburn area from the impoverished southern state of Oaxaca 18 years ago and declined to give his name because he is undocumented, drives workers to and from the fields and had similar worries.

"I can't keep my job. If my children get sick can I take them to the clinic?" he asked.

You're not supposed to be here, therefore; you need no job.

The purpose of this law and others like it is to DENY illegal aliens jobs, benefits, licenses so they go HOME!

For every illegal deported, room opens up for a LEGAL immigrant who's been waiting patiently to come in the right way.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - About 500 Hispanics marched around the state Capitol Monday to protest tighter rules for getting driver's licenses as sign-bearing advocates for even tighter rules watched from the Capitol steps.


And yet again it's only hispanic illegal aliens demanding no steps be taken to deter illegal immigration.






"Well, then who will drive the trucks? Them?" he asked gesturing to people on the steps.


Maybe Americans.....the same people who were driving the trucks before illegal aliens flooded in and took those jobs also. But then again, I suppose truck driving is just another of those "jobs Americans won't do"

That kind of derisive attitude is infuriating. This delusion of theirs that only they are willing to work for a living passed getting old a long time ago and they've got one hell of a nerve.

If they can't work or drive, what will they do? Mmm......go back to their country of origin, my friend. That's the whole point.