http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/299068378178075

Rally draws support for tougher stance on illegal immigrants
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Supporters of Initiative 946, which would restrict government aid to undocumented residents, held a rally Friday to gather signatures before a July 7 deadline.

About 16 people at Millennium Plaza carried signs reading, "Close our schools to illegal immigrants" and "The USA is our home, not a flop house for the world."

Participant Dornay McCotter said she is more upset with employers who hire undocumented workers than with the workers themselves.

"The illegals are the new slaves and they don't even know it," said McCotter, a nurse.

The marchers belong to grassrootsonfire.org, which they describe as a nonpartisan organization of about 75 Yakima Valley citizens who seek secure borders and an end to benefits for illegal immigrants.

The initiative was filed by Bob Baker, a Mercer Island resident, who formed Protect Washington Now. At least 224,000 valid signatures are needed to win a spot on the November ballot.

Backers want to end taxpayer subsidies for programs like day care for children of seasonal farm workers.

Opponents say ending such benefits would harm innocent children and public health.

State officials have said they can't estimate how many of the roughly 136,000 illegal immigrants use publicly funded programs