This is a translation from La Raza. Many homes indeed are for sale in Waukegan. Some businesses have closed. I was in Walgreens yesterday and did not hear a foreign language once, although it was busy. But this is still all observations -I don't have any numbers as to how many 'immigrants' are leaving. Note: a group of local activist are again bringing suit against the city for the towing ordinance, if one doesn't have a license/insurance.

This is the cover story -if someone can post the picture, thanks.



b]They flee from Waukegan

Clement Nicado - Hispanic News Agency | March 27, 2008[/b]

0330.jpgEstán home-thousands of miles from the southern border where one day came in search of a better life, but an undetermined number of undocumented fleeing Waukegan as if it were the very Border Patrol on their heels.

"Van to where ever. The thing is leaving here. Some move to the outskirts of the city, others in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Indiana and some people are returning to Mexico, "said Ricardo Rosas, community organizer.

The same Rosas, who works for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, collect the rent money from a friend named Veronica who left his home in Waukegan and other income housing in Kenosha, a nearby village.

"It's sad they do not want to see the reality that the country is changing," said Rosas. "It may be that (those who impose the law) did not see many Latinos here when they were small," he said.

Community leaders, religious and immigrant estate agents agree that the cause of the exodus is the validity of a controversial $ 500 fine for those who are caught driving without a license and the possible application of that law 287g would give local police powers immigration officer.

After receiving the fine, whose favorite target appear to be undocumented immigrants, the amount could rise to more than $ 1000 if you add the charges for the service crane and retention of the car in a parking lot.

Let them think twice

Susana Figueroa, Waukegan government's liaison to the Latino community, acknowledged that the official measures "must have some impact" on people but justified the high fines as a way to "think twice" before driving without a licence.

"A few days ago, an accident happened to a lady who had no license or auto insurance. Driving without a license is a threat to all. If the fine was low, the problem would continue. People should know that this is a country of laws, "he said.

As for the fear of the possible application of the law to undocumented 287g, Figueroa said that it is a myth.

"There is no reason to be afraid," he said. "This law is for undesirable for those with criminal background," said the official after informing the city entrenarÃ*a only two officers to enforce the law, if it enters into force.

Graf Father: "I do not trust them"

For the father Gary Graf, pastor of three churches in Waukegan and who unsuccessfully tried to reach an agreement in good faith with the local government on the implementation of 287g, what happens in your community is very regrettable.

"Since I do not trust them," said Graf, a frequent defender of the cause of immigrants and also raised the ire of some immigrants to try to reach a settlement with the local government.

The priest confirmed that there are many immigrants who have come to say goodbye to their church Sagrada Familia. "They have gone, even for Mexico. I tell them not to go, we all join together to continue the fight, "he said.

Margaret Carrasco, an active community leader, believes that the exodus now is not as big as two years ago.

"The problem (not to be so many people on the streets) is that they are afraid. Many are here, but do not want to go to restaurants or shopping to avoid having to deal with. Van and coming from work, but are afraid to leave for any other thing ", he felt.

Several sources told HINA that some friends who ask them shopping in the market or are looking to their homes in order to go to work.

We must raise their head

Meanwhile, a real estate entrepreneur who heads the Community Council of Waukegan said that many leave their houses and leave the village because they are between a rock and a hard place.

"There is a real problem of the collapse of the real estate market nationally. But here the proposal 287g has deterred people (undocumented), which not only goes away, but feared coming here, "added Porfirio Garcia, owner of Realty ReGar.

In view of the entrepreneur, "you have to raise the head. People are running and running is not good. The problem goes beyond Waukegan. Elsewhere also already seeking to impose similar laws, he warned.

According to Juan Andrade, director of the Hispanic Leadership Institute in the United States, the cause of the problem lies in the lack of immigration law at the federal level to remove the shadow of the 12 million undocumented.

"There are over a thousand ordinances throughout the country aimed against immigrants. If we do not do something at the federal level, we will have to fight in hundreds of towns and we do not have the ability to defend ourselves in each of them, "he said.

Jack Martin, leader of the Federation for Immigration Reform in the United States coincides with Andrade in the need for federal legislation, but to shut further step to the "illegal" in the country.

"The most dramatic case of local efforts is Arizona, where a new law requires employers to review their sources of employment (social security)," said Martin, director of Special Projects of their organization.

"We know who crossed the border to return to Mexico, added the activist. The problem now is that also move to other states, which shows that the same policy should be adopted throughout the country, "remató.

I am going to Honduras

Ramon, a Honduran undocumented which was established in Waukegan ten years ago, said that under the pressure sold his house and returned to his country.

"Since I sent to Honduras to the whole family. My wife and my three daughters. This harassment who no stamina, "he said.

The immigrant 30 years said that it would be here, "a little more time" before flying to the Central American nation.

"When I came here everything was different," he said. "Today I feel that I still have the INS ago. We live in fear. I never thought I would see what I see today. "

http://www.laraza.com/2008/03/27/%e2%80 ... %e2%80%9d/