http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mp ... an/3263873


July 13, 2005, 1:14AM

Minutemen critics urge immigration reform
Religious and political leaders say changes would end the appeal of border watchers
By EDWARD HEGSTROM
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

A group of religious and political leaders made an urgent call for immigration reform Tuesday while also denouncing the Minutemen.

The leaders, including Catholic Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza and City Councilmen Gordon Quan and Adrian Garcia, said a congressional program allowing workers to come here legally would eliminate the need for groups like the Minutemen to monitor illegal immigrants. They called on area members of Congress to take the lead on the issue.

"We have a serious problem here in our community and across the United States," Fiorenza said, referring to the immigration situation as a "terrible mess."

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a group formed in Arizona, has announced plans to arrive in Houston in October. Leaders of the group say they will videotape day laborers who gather on the city's streets and those who pick them up. They have promised to be peaceful.

The leaders at the conference organized by The Metropolitan Organization said they do not welcome the patrols.

"The time is surely at hand to tell the vigilantes that they are not welcome in our city," said Joe Rubio, chair of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Garcia, a former Houston police officer, said HPD would monitor the Minutemen "as they would the KKK, as they would the Black Panthers."

Bill Parmley, head of the Texas branch of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said the group's showing in Arizona in April proved it was nonviolent and does not have connections to racist organizations.

"Our track record speaks for itself," he said.

Proposals for immigration reform are expected to be considered by Congress in coming months, though it is not clear whether any will win approval before the end of the year. One proposal, cosponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, would allow immigrants to come here as temporary guest workers.

The advocates called Tuesday for a program that would make it possible for the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country tto stay here and work toward citizenship. They also called for reuniting families divided by immigration.

"Let's stand up for family values," said the Rev. Oscar Cantu, of Holy Name Catholic Church. The leaders also said they feel they represent the views of most Houstonians in calling for humane treatment of illegal immigrants.

Though polling has shown Houstonians support the diversity brought by immigration, Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg said the city's residents are ambivalent about illegal immigration.

The day laborers the Minutemen plan to monitor are particularly unpopular in some neighborhoods. Residents and business owners complain of the crime and trash associated with the men gathering on dozens of corners across Houston. The city has tried to solve the problem by supporting the creation of day-labor centers.