Dec 01, 2009

In Houston, toys for needy kids may come with immigration checks

05:10 PMY

Some Houston charities are checking the immigration status of children and their parents before giving them Christmas toys, the Houston Chronicle reports.

The paper found that several organizations — including the Salvation Army — are asking for birth certificates, photo ID, school enrollment or Social Security cards for children, or proof that parents are citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents. Many also require proof of income.

"It's not our desire to turn anyone down," said said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. distributes toys collected by firefighters. "Those kids are not responsible if they are here illegally. It is the parents' responsibility."

Some immigration activists say such scrutiny runs counter to the Christmas spirit.

"It is very disturbing to think a holiday like Christmas would be tainted with things like this," said Cesar Espinoza, executive director of America for All, a Houston-based advocacy group. "Usually, people target the adults because the adults made the decision to migrate, where the children are just brought through no fault of their own."

The Salvation Army said it provides gifts for all children in the family if one sibling is a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Catholic Charities and the Hispanic Firefighters Caucus don't ask about immigration status.

Good idea — or Grinch idea?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... on-check/1