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Published Sunday
May 21, 2006

Rally decries illegal immigration

BY ELIZABETH AHLIN


WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


About 90 people rallied Saturday in Omaha to protest what they called an "invasion" of undocumented workers into the United States.


Protesters outside the Mexican Consulate on Saturday called for enforcement of current immigration laws.

The protesters flanked Dodge Street in front of the Mexican Consulate, waving American flags and signs reading "Illegals go home" and "Build the fence today."

The daylong rally was organized in response to recent national protests urging Congress to provide a way for certain illegal immigrants to gain legal status.

"The only fair thing is just to follow the law," said Tim Narducci, one of the rally's organizers.

Many of the protesters were angry about President Bush's recent statements calling for a guest worker program and supporting the eventual citizenship of undocumented workers.

"These people are illegal. They're breaking the law," said Carl Fender of Omaha. "Why are we going to give them amnesty?"

Fender, who voted for Bush, said the president is out of touch with the people on this issue.

Lorrie Palmer came out of her nearby home to confront the protesters.

"These people just want to work," she said of illegal immigrants. "They want to be able to educate their children. They want to feed their children. They can't do that in Mexico."

Palmer returned to her home and came back draped in an American flag and holding a sign that read, "Give them a chance at the American dream."

"I figure if you guys can protest, so can I," Palmer said as she took her place on Dodge Street.

Mexican Consul Jose Cuevas monitored the rally from inside the consulate.

The protesters were largely peaceful, but Cuevas said he was troubled by some who stood on the Mexican flag.