Thread: ‘They see no opportunity’

‘They see no opportunity’

Number of undocumented Mexican immigrants drops
Por: Leonel Sánchez 1 Febrero 2011 @ 4:13 pm
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The number of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the United States has dropped by 500,000 during the past three years likely as a result of the slowdown in the U.S. economy and tighter border enforcement, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington D.C.

“What seems to be going on is that people in Mexico look at the U.S. economy and see no opportunity there and they weigh that against the cost of hiring somebody to get them across the border, the risk of violence on the Mexican side, exposure to the elements,â€

Likely an article to just show the falseness in how Obama's approach is somehow working. They don't count the states that in the last 2 years have seen illegal immigration increase and those states are often overlooked as weren't know to be major illegal states 10 years ago. Maybe its simply that illegals are breaking from the traditional nesting grounds as they see those states turning hostile against them looking for states that are more accepting of them as those states haven't been seen first hand the major problems associated with.

It also is saying we are declining in illegal population while at the same time the feds say we have almost 4k illegals crossing into the US every day while others estimate higher. However as the feds are so pro illegal I'd think the feds would have shown if this is true by now how we have some 6k illegals leaving every day of their own accord or how they are deporting that many every day to garner support.

Hate articles that are full of holes bigger then the grand canyon. No fair and honest reporting left in 95% of the media.

I have a really hard time believing OK has seen in increase in crimigrants since they are one state that is the hardest on them. I call BS on this whole article.

The flocking of illegal immigrants have increased in the last few years. Visit YouTube website and watch video movies of how aliens are scaling the border fence daily and crossing over into this Country. (Mod Edit ) Do not forget to check video date so you will know these Statements are true.

Frankly, we really do not know how many illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. currently, because most lives in shadows.

Originally Posted by SicNTiredInSoCal

I have a really hard time believing OK has seen in increase in crimigrants since they are one state that is the hardest on them. I call BS on this whole article.

Fear drives many illegal immigrants from Mexico to Oklahoma

Mexican nationals appear to be entering Oklahoma illegally as steadily as ever for work, family and sanctuary from a violent homeland. They come despite a sagging economy and anti-immigration sentiments . . .

BY RON JACKSON Oklahoman Published: July 18, 2010

http://newsok.com/fear-drives-many-ille ... le/3477251

Full article from JD2's link:

Fear drives many illegal immigrants from Mexico to Oklahoma
Mexican nationals appear to be entering Oklahoma illegally as steadily as ever for work, family and sanctuary from a violent homeland. They come despite a sagging economy and anti-immigration sentiments.

BY RON JACKSON Oklahoman
Published: July 18, 2010

Jessica's voice, or moreover her presence, is powerful in a state that was considered the forerunner on anti-illegal immigration legislation after the 2007 passage of House Bill 1804.

Jessica, 18, is a newly arrived illegal immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico. And based on anecdotal evidence and statewide statistics, she is far from alone.

Mexican nationals appear to be entering Oklahoma illegally as steadily as ever for work, family and sanctuary from a violent homeland.

They come despite a sagging economy and anti-immigration sentiments.

The Rev. Michael Chapman, pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church near downtown Oklahoma City, likens the migration trend to "a flowing river."

"I see new faces every week," Chapman said. "Generally, they have some sort of family tie to the parish — a brother, a sister, a cousin."

Chapman suspects all the 600 parish families either know or are related to an illegal immigrant.

"The issue goes much deeper than people think," said Chapman, who regularly conducts Mass in Spanish. "Are these people here illegally? Yes. Why? Mostly jobs. But maybe we ought to be asking ourselves who's providing the jobs. Or who owns the homes these immigrants are living in. Follow the money, and you'll be able to start to understand the complexities of the issue."

House Bill 1804 sought to punish employers who profited from an undocumented work force, but the law has been mired in court appeals. The law featured 24 provisions, none more contentious than those that made it illegal to knowingly "transport, move, or attempt to move" an illegal immigrant. But a federal appeals court has since ruled that certain portions of HB 1804 can't be enforced.

One element of the law that remains in effect is the requirement for public employers to use online E-Verify, a federal verification system that reveals a person's residency status. The law also prohibits public employers from doing business with any contractor that doesn't use the E-Verify system.

Yet some question whether an effective HB 1804 would have been enough to trump the exodus from Mexico.

The answer might appear obvious when considering what an immigrant has to lose.

"How's 1804 gonna stop you if you're gonna get killed yourself living in Mexico?" said Chris Brewster, superintendent and principal of Santa Fe South High School — a charter school on Oklahoma City's south side.

"We've got students here who have seen people killed in Juarez."

Violence in Mexico has skyrocketed since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon deployed federal police to battle warring drug cartels on the border. The Mexican government estimates the death toll at more than 22,700.

"People are trying to flee the violence," said Michael Brooks-Jimenez, an Oklahoma City attorney whose services are sought by Mexican immigrants. "Every week I have families come to me, asking if there is a way they can legally obtain asylum for an uncle or a sibling who owns a business and is being threatened with extortion or death.

"Sadly, I tell them all the same thing. There's nothing we can do."

Jessica

Jessica's story is typical of countless others living in Oklahoma illegally. She left Mexico last year at the mere whisper of opportunity.

Last summer she worked 12-hour days as a waitress in Monterrey, riding several hours to and from work on a bus. Loved ones feared for her safety, let alone her future.

"My father begged me to come to the United States," said Jessica, who asked that her last name not be used.

"He said I could go to school and get an education. For years, he has lived in Oklahoma, but has been nothing more to me than a photograph and a voice on the phone. Finally, I decided to go."

Clutching fake documents, Jessica crossed the border checkpoints undetected. She reunited with her father who had been living in Oklahoma illegally for years. Today she attends an Oklahoma City high school and dreams of becoming a teacher. The dream is a long shot given her immigration status, but one she clings to nonetheless.

But her motivation to live in Oklahoma is ultimately fueled by something more fundamental.

"Why did I come?" Jessica said. Tears fell from her cheeks as she paused and then answered, "Family."

The return

Miguel Banuelrs is arguably as connected to his community as anyone. He owns a meat market, bakery and money wire service at SW 29 Street and Western Avenue in south Oklahoma City, an area saturated in Hispanic culture.

One can buy authentic Hispanic food from aging trucks parked along SW 29, or gaze at storefront windows decorated with colorful pinatas, Spanish signs and Mexican flags.

Mostly, onlookers will see a neighborhood teeming with people. They are working as cooks, maids, janitors, masons, landscapers and roofers, and according to Banuelrs, traveling from previous stops in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and even Arizona where Senate Bill 1070 has illegal immigrants fearful.

Banuelrs saw a different neighborhood after the passage of Oklahoma's HB 1804.

"People were scared," he said. "A lot of people left. Those who stayed wouldn't go outside. I lost 25 percent of my business."

Times have again changed. The fear has subsided. Banuelrs points to Fridays as a good indication of the local activity. On those days he generally wires more than $10,000 to Mexico for Spanish-speaking customers.

"A lot of people moved away," Banuelrs said. "Some went back to Mexico. Some moved to other states. But a lot of people have come back — more than before even."

Read more: http://newsok.com/fear-drives-many-ille ... z1CriInmK7

One can buy authentic Hispanic food from aging trucks parked along SW 29, or gaze at storefront windows decorated with colorful pinatas, Spanish signs and Mexican flags.

Ughhhh....

Times have again changed. The fear has subsided. Banuelrs points to Fridays as a good indication of the local activity. On those days he generally wires more than $10,000 to Mexico for Spanish-speaking customers.

"A lot of people moved away," Banuelrs said. "Some went back to Mexico. Some moved to other states. But a lot of people have come back — more than before even."

So much for cracking down on illegal invaders. The law is only as good as your desire to enforce it. Sounds like it's business as usual for illegal invaders in OK.