Nevada Hispanic Services announces immigrant policy
By FRANK X. MULLEN JR. • fmulllen@rgj.com • August 29, 2008


The new Nevada Hispanic Services immigration policy statement pledges the organization will advocate for immigrants in legal proceedings, lobby for immigration law reform and offer advocacy and educational services to immigrants.


Jesse Guiterrez, executive director of the group, said the policy was written in response to inquires after federal agents last year raided several Reno-area McDonald's restaurants and arrested undocumented workers.

The policy begins with an affirmation of the importance of immigrants to the well-being of the United States and declares that all immigrants are deserving of humane treatment, due process and equal protection under law. It states that the nation deserves a fair immigration policy that will provide a path to citizenship to those immigrants already in the country and that "immigrants and their families should be permitted to remain unified."

The group promises to lobby for immigration law reform "in order to have fair and bias-free paths to legalization and eventual citizenship, including legislation that will benefit children who successfully complete or work toward higher education."

The agency also will offer consultation for immigrants facing removal "as may be needed and is available."

The document addresses some issues of immigration reform, such as "bias-free paths to legalization and potential citizenship" but doesn't use the terms legal or illegal immigrants.

Instead, the first principal listed is: "Immigrants are human beings deserving of humane and just treatment by this country's educational institutions, employers, political and governmental bodies."

Janine Hansen, president of the conservative Nevada Families Eagle Forum that has lobbied for immigration law reform and enforcement, said there must be a distinction between immigrants here legally and those who are not.

"America is a nation based on laws," Hansen said. "Americans expect that everyone will obey the law. American citizens are very resentful that our laws are flagrantly violated by illegal immigrants and exceedingly frustrated that the federal government has entirely failed to enforce the laws."

She said any statement about immigrant policies ought to reflect the need for secure borders and said all Americans should be concerned that "cost of illegal immigration is becoming unsustainable."

Hansen said she agrees citizens and noncitizens have the right to due process of law, but in the case of illegal immigrants, "they violate the law to get here, and the most important due process for them is to be deported."

Guiterrez said the NHS policy is based on humane treatment for all immigrants, regardless of legal status.

He said the policy is in the best interests of the immigrant community in general and the Latino community in particular.

The Nevada Hispanic Services board of directors approved the policy statement last month.

The group also elected new officers: Armando Gaytan, president; Ireri Rivas, vice president; Kevin Quint, treasurer; and Luz Verdin, secretary. The group's Web site is www.nhsreno.org


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