Thread: Area Activists call for Help

I hope they took a moment to shed tears for the Identity Theft Victims.


Area activists call for support

Joanna Larez, (Bio) jlarez@greeleytribune.com
December 14, 2006



To see video of the meeting, click on the link at the bottom of the story.
Griselda Archuleta's eyes got misty at the memory.

Her father had been treated like a criminal. Her innocence kept her from understanding. Then the goodbye.

The memory was triggered Tuesday as news broke about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid and Swift & Co.

Archuleta, 28, of Milliken was born in Mexico, but she moved to the United States with her parents when she was about 1 and grew up in Milliken.

She said she doesn't remember the exact year, but she does remember the day her father was deported. Archuleta said she was probably in first grade. Now, her family is together -- legally -- in Milliken.

Empathy. Pain. Tears.

Emotions were strong for Archuleta as she talked about what the children in the community felt as they worried, heard or discovered their parents would not come home because they were deported.

"They (law enforcement agents) brought him home to get his stuff," Archuleta said. "They were taking him as a criminal and you know him as your father."

Archuleta attended a press conference Wednesday at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 1311 3rd St., held by Latina leaders to inform residents about how and where to get help.

She didn't get up and speak in front of all the reporters, but she said she attended to support efforts in the community to help the families that were negatively affected by the raid.

"We need to acknowledge everybody for their worth," Archuleta said, "and realize our economy would crumble without them (immigrants)."

Sylvia Martinez, spokeswoman for Latinos Unidos, said she wants answers from federal officials.

About a year ago, Martinez stepped up to lobby against a proposed ICE office for Greeley. Now, she's lobbying for people who have been affected by an ICE operation.

She's speaking for people who have been detained, yet have not been proven guilty in a court and for people whose lives have been torn apart.

Martinez said she wants people to go to safe places, such as Our Lady of Peace, for help.

Some families did arrive at the church for help Tuesday afternoon; they went to the office and spoke to others.

Archuleta wasn't the only person at the church who had tears in her eyes. At most, she said, she hoped families affected by Tuesday's events would come forward for help if they need it.

Video of Latino Meeting



http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2006 ... /112140107

It's a real shame that these illegal aliens are putting their children through this.

Dixie

(("We need to acknowledge everybody for their worth," Archuleta said, "and realize our economy would crumble without them (immigrants)." ))

Keep repeating the meme that America will crumble if immigrants leave, Archuletta. Immigrants are legal...Invaders are illegal. We would not only survive without the invaders, we would dance in the streets to celebrate their deportation.

Originally Posted by Cindy

(("Archuletta. Immigrants are legal...Invaders are illegal. We would not only survive without the invaders, we would dance in the streets to celebrate their deportation.

WELL SAID CINDY

We need to acknowledge everybody for their worth," Archuleta said, "and realize our economy would crumble without them (immigrants)."

I heard on the news this morning that workers are flooding into the Swift plant at Greeley to apply for work from as far away as Minnisota. .....So much for the economy crumbling..........and also so much for the statement "We do work that Americans won't."

Originally Posted by minnie

Originally Posted by Cindy

(("Archuletta. Immigrants are legal...Invaders are illegal. We would not only survive without the invaders, we would dance in the streets to celebrate their deportation.

WELL SAID CINDY

Originally Posted by Dixie

It's a real shame that these illegal aliens are putting their children through this.

Dixie

Yes it is. But of course it is the anti illegal crowd that is victimizing them (sarcasm).

btw Dixie, you crack me up with all these avatars