http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles ... igrant.txt

Published - Sunday, September 25, 2005

Social justice starts with seeing invisible people


By Laura Gossman / Winona Daily News

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Kristina Perez learned to speak Spanish when she was in eighth grade, not just because she's Latina but because she found that she could help the growing population of immigrant workers in the Winona area.

Perez, a Saint Mary's University student majoring in global studies and Spanish, hopes to get a law degree so she can help Hispanic migrants.

"I want to be the voice for people who are invisible and haven't been stood up for," Perez said. "I want to teach them how to stand up for themselves."

Perez has taught English classes in the Hispanic community in St. Charles, Minn., and she helps non-English speakers get loans, pay bills and send out their mail.

More than 20 years ago, her father was in the same position as many of the people she helps. He was an illegal immigrant trying to find work.

"I feel like it's my special privilege to help them," Perez said. "They are really smart people; it's just hard to communicate with the language barrier."

She feels like she has a lot to be thankful for. Unlike her stepbrothers and sisters, Perez was born in the U.S., where she was fed and given an education.

Perez was one of about 30 people who attended the Winona Social Justice Forum on immigrant workers Saturday at St. Casimir's Church.

Victor Contreras, a former migrant farm worker who founded Centro Campesino, an Owatonna, Minn.-based organization for migrant workers and Latinos in Minnesota, spoke to the group about issues that Hispanic people face.

Kathryn Gilje, who serves on the group's board, also spoke and translated at times for Contreras.

In Owatonna, Contreras planted and harvested peas, corn, asparagus, squash, sugar beets with men, women and children.

"There's a lot of economic pressure for the children to work," Contreras said.

The Fair Labor Standards Act allows children as young as 12 to work in agriculture. In other industries, the minimum age is 16. Contreras sees children even younger working.

"Nobody cares as long as the work is being done, and their families need the money," he said.

One half of all farm workers earn less than $7,500 a year and are paid on average $5.94 an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Centro Campesino also lobbies on behalf of immigrants' rights.

Contreras went to Washington, D.C., as part of a national coalition and protested laws that passed that would keep immigrants from entering the U.S.

"With the Latino population getting bigger, politicians will soon be outnumbered," Perez said. "Bills will get passed."

Rural Hispanic populations grow

Changes in Hispanic populations, 2000-2004

Southeastern Minnesota

Houston County--13.9 percent increase

Fillmore County--25.2 percent increase

Wabasha County--8.8 percent increase

Southwestern Wisconsin

Trempealeau County--53.7 percent increase

Buffalo County--22.6 percent increase

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2004 population estimates

Upcoming Social Justice Forums

"An honorable end to the war in Iraq" n featuring recently returned soldiers, engineers and humanitarian workers n Nov. 14

Winona City Hall

"White Privilege" workshop by WSU professor Fredrick Lee n Jan. 14

"Earth Day Stewardship" workshop n April 21