On Cinco de Mayo, Hispanic activist to urge McDonnell to act on immigration

Gov. Bob McDonnell will honor Mexican heritage as part of a Cinco de Mayo celebration this afternoon in the garden outside the governor's mansion.

At least one of the 70 Hispanic business leaders and supporters -- longtime activist Daniel Cortez of Stafford County -- said he will use his time with McDonnell to encourage the governor to act on the state's illegal immigration problem.

Cortez said that he has been frustrated that the federal government has failed to pass a bill, and he believes that McDonnell could shame President Obama and Congress into action. He suggests McDonnell develop a Virginia version of the "Bracero" program, which put millions of Hispanics -- many Mexican -- to work after World War II while allowing them to return to their home countries regularly.

"A state-sponsored Bracero program would force the federal government to do its job and secure Virginia's borders and stop both sides of the isle waffling on the issue,'' Cortez said. "All of us who the governor invited for Cinco de Mayo again should be proud of his efforts for Virginia and we have an opportunity to lead and we want him to lead us and the nation who has failed us."

Cotez said he wants McDonnell to study the issue, perhaps through a commission, and devlop a program that would allow illegal immigrants to be tracked but also find jobs.

McDonnell has been critical of the federal government for failing to do more on the issue, and just last week had some choice words about Arizona's new immigration law.

"This is a day to be proud of a heritage and their contributions in Virginia but not proud for a lack of focus in doing what is right on both sides...American and Hispanic," Cortez said. "To do nothing is not the answer."

By Anita Kumar | May 5, 2010; 8:00 AM ET

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