Thread: NC - 'Undocumented' immigrants tell their stories at Asheville rally

Undocumented immigrants tell their stories at Asheville rally



About 50 people attended a “Coming Out of the Shadows Rally”
at the Vance Monument Friday afternoon to protest recent immigration
raids by federal agencies.

citizen-times.com
Written by Julie Ball

ASHEVILLE — Bruno Hinojosa has lived in the city more than half his life.

The 23-year-old grew up here, attending Claxton Elementary and then Asheville middle and high schools.

He played soccer, and as a teen he looked forward to getting his driver’s license.

But Hinojosa is in the U.S. illegally. He is undocumented, and he says that status has kept him from doing things other people his age have done — like getting a driver’s license or attending college.

Hinojosa was one of several people telling their stories at a rally Friday afternoon in downtown Asheville.

“It’s kind of a weight, a weight that I am trying to get off my chest,” Hinojosa said.

The event was put together by a new group of undocumented Western North Carolina residents who say they want to put a human face on the often-divisive immigration issue.

Another goal: “To get rid of the fear that keeps us silent and keeps us scared of highlighting abuses that are happening,” said Loida Ginocchio-Silva, one of the organizers of the event.

“We often live in fear, and that fear often keeps us in silence,” she said. “We think it’s important to come out and share our stories publicly because we need to emphasize the fact that we are human beings.”

Ginocchio-Silva came to the U.S. from Peru when she was 13. Like Hinojosa, she is undocumented and as a result couldn’t afford the out-of-state college tuition she is required to pay.

Hinojosa said the Asheville effort is similar to other movements taking place elsewhere in the U.S. “I’m gonna let my voice be heard as loud as I can,” he said.

Hinojosa said immigration raids like those that have taken place at some Asheville-area businesses don’t target those with criminal backgrounds, but instead “innocent people who work for a living, who go to school, who try to make a living.”

Despite a heavy rain, about 50 people turned out for the Friday afternoon rally.

One of them was 18-year-old Ilse Ramirez, a senior at Erwin High, who is also undocumented.

Ramirez came to the U.S. when she was just 3 years old. “I feel like this is my home,” she said.

She hopes to attend college, but she is struggling with the cost. She hopes a family friend will help.

And she’s applied for some scholarships, but others are off limits. “For other ones, I just can’t (apply) because in every application they ask for a Social Security (number), which I don’t have,” she said.

Asked if those speaking out are putting themselves at risk, Ginocchio-Silva responded in the affirmative.

“There’s always a risk when you are open about it, but I think that they all are aware of that risk, and they have decided that enough is enough,” she said. “They are willing to take that risk because they are tired of being silent, and the silence is no longer going to protect them.”

source: Undocumented immigrants tell their stories at Asheville rally | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com

Only In America - Illegals Take To The Streets, Do TV Interviews, Openly Rally

well let me tell you something the american also have story to tell ' & obama don't listen at all
& I for one don't care what you have to say .
NO amnesty or dream act

"Hinojosa said immigration raids like those that have taken place at some Asheville-area businesses don’t target those with criminal backgrounds, but instead “innocent people who work for a living, who go to school, who try to make a living.”
No illegal is innocent. If you are working here, you are taking a job away from an American citizen that needs that job to support his family. If you are going to college, you are taking a seat and classes away from an american child. We have just as many sad stories to tell.

Putting themselves at risk? What a lie. The Obama administration has made it clear they will not deport any of these Dream Act Amnesty supporters even when they are arrested and convicted for other crimes beyond being here illegally.

They are out in the streets without concern for immigration enforcement that will deport far less than 1% of all illegals in the US.

This is an overthrow of the American Republic because Congress passed our immigration laws and they are popularly supported by 80% of Americans yet these laws go woefully under enforced and illegal aliens like these flaunt their support for illegal immigration, invasion, and amnesty in our streets.

W

I agree with the comments here 100%, No Illegal could possibly be called "innocent", there is NO such term when the 1st word to describe you is ILLEGAL!

They Steal in Every way possible from Americans.
And they aren't afraid of any consequenses!

What would happen to us Americans if we did this crap in Their country??

Added to the Homepage with amended title
http://www.alipac.us/content/nc-undo...lle-rally-330/

I have always said, and will continue to say that, these people are not hiding in the shadows! they know that they can get away with just about anything so, why should they hide? they are made more welcome in this country than some native born U.S. citizens. why is it that they are allowed to gather and protest in our streets without being arrested? there is no way, that a U.S. citizen would be allowed to get away with this in Mexico or any other Latin American country. *ONLY* IN AMERICA!

Boo friggin hoo is all I have to say to them!

For your peace of mind (and ours).... GO HOME!