Thread: NC-Taylor proposal worries local Hispanics

http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/apps/ ... 80338/1151

Taylor proposal worries local Hispanics

By Lizbeth Hoyos
Times-News Staff Writer

After 29 years in the United States as an undocumented worker, Ruben Esbarco is concerned that he could easily be deported under a proposal by U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor."My fear is that police officers could stop me without necessarily having committed anything against the law and only because I'm Latino," he said.Taylor, R-Brevard, announced on July 13 that his 11th Congressional District would become the first area in the country to go to a regional approach in the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel would train local police officers in enforcement of deportation laws and guidelines."Since North Carolina has the eighth largest illegal immigrant population, many of the counties in Western North Carolina do not have the proper resources or training to combat the growing problem with illegal aliens," Taylor said. "This program allows them to work with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and provides them the tools to assist in enforcing deportation laws."The 11th District is a largely rural area consisting of the western-most 15 counties of the state. The eight-county pilot program includes Henderson, Buncombe, Polk, Rutherford, Madison, McDowell, Transylvania and Yancey counties.Esbarco, originally from Mexico, said he illegally crossed the border into the United States in search of a better life and to escape poverty. With the money he earns working a construction job, he supports his seven children, wife, mother and grandmother. Two of his children are here with him illegally and the remainder of his family is in Mexico.Esbarco is also afraid the proposed change could lead to more discrimination against the Latino community."I can't say anything against police officers. They have been really courteous," said Esbarco, 51. "But that may change with this proposal."Since 2002, the Latino Advocacy Coalition has been advocating for the well-being of the Latino community. It's headquarters, El Centro, hosts many programs to promote the development of leadership qualities for people in a situation similar to Esbarco's.El Centro Executive Director Patrick Tapia condemned the latest plan to streamline the deportation of illegal immigrants as cruel and not compassionate."This proposal will affect people who are honest, hard workers and heads of families," Tapia said. "These 'illegal aliens' have families and children who are already American citizens and he (Taylor) is trying to deport these parents and break families apart. Any undocumented person will be considered as any other criminal only because of the lack of papers."Henderson County Sheriff's Capt. Rick Davis said this would not be the case.The federal code that law enforcement would use with this proposal only allows them to identify, process and detain illegal immigrants who have been involved in illegal activities. The same code prohibits them from performing immigration sweeps."We are simply not going to do immigration sweeps, even if we could," said Davis, who is running for Henderson County sheriff in the November election against Democrat Sam Selph. "If we were to do that, there's not enough room or resources in all Western North Carolina to target illegal immigrants."Tapia said he is also concerned about how the proposal could affect the agricultural sector, since a significant number of farm workers don't have documents.Taylor, however, said he is not concerned."The vast majority of Western North Carolina growers are already diligent in making sure they use documented laborers on their land," he said. "The idea that illegal aliens fuel the economy is a smokescreen by those who would rather do nothing. We need to make sure that we secure our borders and uphold the laws that are in place."Daniel Benavides, Blue Ridge Community Health Services' outreach coordinator, said the county's agricultural sector is having problems getting farm workers. He said the proposal could affect more of the county's economy."Any labor intensive work is filled with Latinos in their majority," Benavides said. "And some of these working Latinos don't have documents."Esbarco agreed with Benavides."All these job positions (construction and farm labors) require intensive labor and have low wages," he said. "Most Americans who try these positions don't last for over a month and they leave and we are the ones who stay. If we don't do them, who will?"

After 29 years in the United States as an undocumented worker, Ruben Esbarco is concerned that he could easily be deported under a proposal by U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor."My fear is that police officers could stop me without necessarily having committed anything against the law and only because I'm Latino,"

Yes you have committed a crime, you entered this country illegally.

"Most Americans who try these positions don't last for over a month and they leave and we are the ones who stay. If we don't do them, who will?"

Also Ruben Esbarco why don't you let us worry about that and go back to your own country. We got by without you in the past we will get by without you now.

."This proposal will affect people who are honest, hard workers and heads of families

Well they might be honest, but they don't give a damn about the law.

Honest would have been coming here legally in the first place.

."My fear is that police officers could stop me without necessarily having committed anything against the law and only because I'm Latino,"

Let's see, we know you crossed our borders illegally. Chances are you have used fake documents to get jobs. It's illegal for you to have a job.

Esbarco, originally from Mexico, said he illegally crossed the border into the United States in search of a better life and to escape poverty. With the money he earns working a construction job, he supports his seven children, wife, mother and grandmother. Two of his children are here with him illegally and the remainder of his family is in Mexico.

Any more relatives you'd like to sneak into our country? I'm sure the taxes you pay are more than enought to pay for the schooling of your 7 children and the services they and your wife, mother and grandmother use.

Tapia said he is also concerned about how the proposal could affect the agricultural sector, since a significant number of farm workers don't have documents

How considerate of you to worry about us Tapia, but since illegal aliens don't hold a majority of jobs in ANY job field, I'm sure we can find an American to take your place, at a fair wage.