Thread: A chance to tell the other side of the Latino story

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2885706

Article Last Updated: 7/23/2005 11:12 AM


A chance to tell the other side of the Latino story

Gonzalo Palza
Salt Lake Tribune

Latino Service Day aims to change the widely held perception that Latinos, including Chicanos, are a burden to the state and its resources. The emergence of a well-focused and organized anti-immigration sentiment makes it necessary to tell the "other side."

All Utah Latinos are encouraged to get involved in service projects on Service Day July 30 to be a positive influence on their communities.

The growth explosion in our nation's now largest minority has had a sobering impact on all of us, and some are adapting better than others to the Latino-driven changes in our communities. Beyond the xenophobic protestors, less radical traditionalists and even established Hispanics refuse to let go of past realities.

And, much like xenophobes, they all claim a sovereign entitlement.

Perception defines reality, but it is the reality of our Latinos that is not accurately perceived. These are the blunt facts that define Latino reality:

By far the youngest population among all ethnic groups (40 percent in Utah are under 18 years of age).

Highest fertility rate among all demographic groups (higher even than the average in famously fertile Utah).
Largest extended families per household.
Conservative values, loyal and grounded to nuclear families.

Largely undocumented (estimated at 40 percent, or about 100,000 residents in Utah, most arrived after 1990).

Poor achievers academically (more than 50 percent are among the lowest-achievers in fourth-grade reading and math).

Extraordinarily productive (highest number of waged hours worked per capita).
Innately entrepreneurial
Desperately underrepresented politically.
Mostly of Mexican origin (two-thirds in Utah).
Endure hardship in exchange for opportunities for children and dependents.

The passivity of traditional Latino activist groups, together with the state government's inability to articulate a clear policy toward this largely "unauthorized" population, is allowing our local immigration reformists to effectively challenge this unavoidable force of change.

National groups backed by well-known think tanks are promoting "forced attrition" of all undocumented residents and their families. They advocate more arrests, prosecutions, deportations and asset seizures, all within a coordinated expansion of status checks - which this policy calls "virtual choke points" - that they hope will result in the "self deportation" of illegal residents.

These virtual choke points - much like the absence of a legal driver license - show up during mortgage application, the purchase of assets, obtaining a marriage license or education and health benefits, and they alert authorities to the immigrant's illegal status.

The groups give the following reasons to support this policy: 1) Undocumented "illegals" are a costly burden to state and federal budgets including, of course, the justice system, health care and education; 2) "Illegals" are dislocating wages and labor markets; 3) "Illegals" are a security threat; 4) "Illegals" are illegal.

Each resonates individually with a range of constituencies, from xenophobes to the well-intentioned traditionalists all the way to the average citizen. Leveraged together, they have a powerful impact on legislators who also claim to draw empowerment from that large, "silent" and "moral" middle class in America.

Cynics and seasoned politicos will probably agree, however, that the one reason that resonates the most is always the one nearest to a household's kitchen table. In our case, it is the perception that Latinos (undocumented) draw on the ever-dwindling state resources that otherwise could be made available to the "really needy" in our communities.

The fact is that all policy institutes (including The Center for Immigration Studies) agree that most of the cost to state and federal programs associated with the unauthorized population is principally created by the dependents of undocumented households, i.e., by their U.S.-citizen children, spouses and extended families.

By provoking a positive conversation in a state with a proud culture of service, a Latino Day of Service may well begin to change this perception.

Typical bull bologna.

The fact is that all policy institutes (including The Center for Immigration Studies) agree that most of the cost to state and federal programs associated with the unauthorized population is principally created by the dependents of undocumented households, i.e., by their U.S.-citizen children, spouses and extended families.

You are incorrectly assuming that the children were born here. The simple fact of the matter is that illegals, one way or another, cost US taxpayers BILLIONS of dollars and the vast majority of us are fed up with the whole situation. Take your whinefest back to wherever you came from
(if you are here illegally). I don't want to hear about it.

By provoking a positive conversation in a state with a proud culture of service, a Latino Day of Service may well begin to change this perception.

THEY STILL DON'T GET IT!!

No one who is opposed to illegal immigration, undocumented workers, and excessive necessary immigration that's pulling this country down into a toilet bowl cares about the "service" of Latinos or anyone else.

What idiots you are to think that these little Public Relations Stunts are going to change the opinion of the American People about illegal immigration, undocumented workers, and excessive immigration.

This is NOT ABOUT LATINOS, you fool!!

This is about violations of US Immigration Laws, laws that are necessary to ensure a fair labor market; to ensure sustainability of the US Population; to ensure tranquility and harmony amongst our Citizen Population; to ensure our Freedoms, Liberties, and NATION.

You are a SILLY FOOL to think a Day of Service with a bunch of people doing what....helping elderlies cross the street? Picking up the soiled diapers illegals throw all over the place? Quitting your jobs and calling the Americans you stole them from and saying, "here it is, I give it back to you?" Moving out of the house you just bought with illegal papers and calling the American who didn't get the house because there were too many people bidding on it and say, "here it is, I give it back to you?"

It's called RESTITUTION not a "Day of Service".

This fight isn't about Latinos. It's about illegal aliens, foreign nationals in our country without invitation, permission or papers. WE DON'T WANT YOUR "Day of Service" gimics. WE WANT ILLEGALS DEPORTED, NO MATTER if they are from Latin America, Europe, Asia...it doesn't matter.

WE DON'T WANT YOUR "DAY OF SERVICE".

WE want a Day of Deportation.

And THIS is non-negotiable.

Dataman, you are right! This IS balogna!!!

This is a prime example of the fleecing of America.

Judy, may I award you the Medal of Posts for that last one?
That was supurb!

Thanks LegalUSCitizen!!