Thread: OK-Hispanic Mom Lobbies Against Imm Bill of Her Senator son

Hispanic Mom Lobbies Against Immigration Bill of Her Senator-Son

March 22, 2010
Barbara Hoberock

OKLAHOMA CITY -- She may be state Sen. Anthony Sykes' mother, but she got no special treatment last week when she was lobbying against one of his measures.

He left her waiting outside his office door until she left.

Juanita Sykes, who identifies herself as a Mexican-American, is a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens Oklahoma City Council. She also is on the Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic and Latin American Affairs.

She was lobbying against House Bill 3384, which would require schools to ascertain the legal immigration status of students, report that to the State Department of Education and make a determination as to the impact on educating U.S. citizen students.

The measure would result in districts having to hire legal consultants on immigration to determine the status of a child, according to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Sen. Sykes, R-Moore, is a sponsor of the bill. He did not respond to a request for comment.

But the House sponsor, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, had plenty to say.

Terrill said a U.S. Supreme Court decision requires that schools educate all students regardless of immigration status. He said taxpayers have a right to know the cost of educating those who are here illegally.

Critics such as Juanita Sykes said the measure is divisive and would have a chilling effect on enrollment among those who are undocumented.

Terrill disagrees, saying such claims are designed "to unnecessarily whip up fear, particularly among the Hispanic community."

He said the senator is estranged from his mother, adding that it was unfortunate she would seek to take advantage of that for political reasons.

Juanita Sykes responded to a request for an interview and did not solicit one.

"First of all, I want to make a point to say I am very proud of his accomplishments," Juanita Sykes said of her son. "I, as a mother, have watched him grow up to his potential."

She said she never expressed to her children the tribulations and discrimination that her family has experienced and never knew that the issue of immigration would become such a divisive subject in the community.

She said she and her son have been estranged for several years, but issues regarding illegal immigration have driven that wedge deeper.

"I haven't given up hope that someday he will come around," Juanita Sykes said.

Supporters of the measure such as Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now said the requirements wouldn't be burdensome for districts because schools already collect an array of information about students.

Shelly Hickman, a spokeswoman with State Department of Education, said districts ask for information about what language is spoken in a student's home and whether the family immigrated in the last three years, but not whether they are legal residents.

Information about student's racial demographics also is sought.

"We will do whatever the law compels us to do," Hickman said. "That is our position."

Jeff Mills, Oklahoma State School Boards Association executive director, said the measure could create issues with parents who bring a student to school if parents felt the district was being intrusive into the nature of their immigration status.

The measure is pending in the Senate.

Barbara Hoberock barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/20 ... n_bill.htm

She said she and her son have been estranged for several years, but issues regarding illegal immigration have driven that wedge deeper.

"I haven't given up hope that someday he will come around," Juanita Sykes said.

Perhaps it's you Juanita that needs to come around!

He said the senator is estranged from his mother,

Maybe this is why they are estranged, the Senators seems to be a Patriotic Americans while his mother supports a foreign invasion.

She said she never expressed to her children the tribulations and discrimination that her family has experienced and never knew that the issue of immigration would become such a divisive subject in the community.

Really? How is it possible he didn't see these so-called "tribulations and discriminations"?? Kudos to the senator about rising above the vicious smears of pro-illegals and doing the right thing.

This is an important article that everyone should send to their local media
and to every politician that they can vote for (or against).

I doubt the total basis for their estrangement is the views on illegal immigration. It sounds lke there are other reasons at play.

Originally Posted by vortex

I doubt the total basis for their estrangement is the views on illegal immigration. It sounds lke there are other reasons at play.

Who cares about their estrangement. We have a Hispanic American who opposes Amnesty, and her son is a Congressman.

From what I garnered was that Juanita was demanding that her son's bill be quashed as it would scare the "immigrant" community. Sounds to me that she supports Amensty and son is opposed.

Originally Posted by vortex

From what I garnered was that Juanita was demanding that her son's bill be quashed as it would scare the "immigrant" community. Sounds to me that she supports Amensty and son is opposed.

Yes. I wrote that backwards. That happends sometimes when you get old.
You know what you mean but it doesn't come out that way.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Originally Posted by vortex

From what I garnered was that Juanita was demanding that her son's bill be quashed as it would scare the "immigrant" community. Sounds to me that she supports Amensty and son is opposed.

Yes. I wrote that backwards. That happends sometimes when you get old.
You know what you mean but it doesn't come out that way.

LOL! Great...so I have that to look forward to!