Thread: TX: Immigration reform letters delivered to officials

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Immigration reform letters delivered to officials (7:31 a.m.)
By Stephanie Sanchez / For the Sun-News
Posted: 12/11/2008 07:35:09 AM MST

EL PASO -- As groups around the world celebrated International Human Rights Day on Wednesday, one El Paso organization used the day to push local lawmakers to come up with comprehensive immigration reform.

About 60 people from the Border Network for Human Rights marched from Yandell Drive to Montana Avenue. The protesters then separated into three groups to deliver letters to U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, Mayor John Cook and c ounty Commissioner Veronica Escobar.

Chanting "Muro no, reforma s'" (Wall no, reform yes) and "Si se puede" (Yes we can), the protesters walked to the front of the Federal Building, 700 E. San Antonio.

They held signs that read "Respeto a los derechos humanos" (Respect for human rights) and "Pedimos una reforma migratoria, ahora," (Immigration reform now).

"We know that in 2009, there are going to be a lot of talks and national debate about comprehensive immigration reform," said Betty Camargo, political coordinator for Border Network for Human Rights.

"We want to be able to be part of that national debate. We want the voices of the local communities to be part of that national debate, talking about what policies we want to be implemented on the border because we're usually the most affected by those border policies."

The group's protest came days after El Paso leaders, including Reyes, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, County Attorney José Rodr'guez and Eastridge/Mid-Valley city Rep. Steve Ortega, sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama and future members of his Cabinet.

The letter asked that the border fence be torn down and that the millions of dollars going into the fence be put toward developing infrastructure in the region.

Several protesters said Wed nesday that they were grateful for the officials' efforts to take down the border fence but wanted more leadership when it came to a comprehensive immigration reform.

"Since 1994, the U.S. has applied an enforcement-only approach to immigration and the problem with that is that it's criminalizing immigrants. It criminalizes the right to work, the right for family unification and the majority of people are here just to work," said Saul Soto, who was at the protest Wednesday.

"Instead of the U.S. actually fixing the immigration law and making more visas, and making it more accessible for people to get that visa and come to work, it's putting more fences," Soto said.


www.lcsun-news.com

Since 1994, the U.S. has applied an enforcement-only approach to immigration

Wow, I wonder if this person really believes this.

voices of the local communities

The voices of our communities have spoken: NO amnesty. Look at the latest Rasmussen poll that again shows Americans overwhelmingly support border enforcement over legalization schemes.

EL PASO -- As groups around the world celebrated International Human Rights Day on Wednesday, one El Paso organization used the day to push local lawmakers to come up with comprehensive immigration reform.

How about an "International Make My Own Third World Country Provide Me With a Decent Way of Life Day"?

or a "Illegal Alien Day to Return to Where We Came From and Fight For Rights in our Own Countries Day"?