Thread: Waukegan stands by deportation decision (Gheen)

Waukegan stands by deportation decision
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION | Protesters on both sides come out in force

July 17, 2007
BY NORMAN PARISH AND LEONARD N. FLEMING Staff Reporters

WAUKEGAN -- Despite the presence of opponents inside and protesters outside its chambers, the Waukegan City Council voted Monday to stand by a controversial decision to join federal efforts to deport violent undocumented offenders.

The vote to back the council's decision last month to expand immigration powers and deportation proceedings was 8-2, with Mayor Richard Hyde making a special point of voting to support the measure.

"I feel wonderful," Hyde said in an interview after the vote. "This is one of the best things that has happened to this city."

Maricela Fajardo, a 32-year-old Waukegan store manager, left the meeting disappointed.

"I don't agree with this," she said. "This wasn't right. I think it is just discrimination."

More than 100 motivated opponents spilled out as soon as the vote was taken, while authorities prepared for trouble, donning riot gear and holding police dogs on leash.

Moving forward with the federal 287(g) authorization would ultimately mean Waukegan police could obtain authority to begin deportation proceedings for illegal residents convicted of violent crimes and drug violations.

Earlier Monday, the street outside the municipal building in the far north suburban city was inundated with more than 3,000 people -- mostly Hispanics -- who held a loud but peaceful protest rally.

"I just want to see justice for everyone," said Carlos Torres, a 49-year-old salesman whose family has been in the United States for a generation. He clutched a miniature American flag.

"We were made by God. My family has helped make this country," Torres said. "They [the City Council] are not fair. We need justice."

But there were about 50 proponents of the measure, like Phillip Dill, 52, of Waukegan, who held a dueling rally of sorts.

"I want the illegals out of here," said Dill, who also held a small American flag. "I don't have a problem with the people who are legal. I think that [the proposed law] should be tougher."

Two black and two Hispanic council members were among those casting votes on the expanded enforcement -- with one black and one Hispanic showing their support for the controversial measure.

Came from North Carolina
Waukegan officials were ready for the face-off, as more than 100 police officers from various law enforcement agencies -- some on horseback -- worked the barricaded crowd.

Protesters who lined Martin Luther King Drive likened the city ordinance to racial profiling.

Various signs excoriated the council over the issue. One exclaimed, "Forget Iraq, Waukegan has its own private war with the Mexicans."

Ramon Becerra, president of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, called for a boycott for businesses that don't support their cause. He said that 200 companies out of 1,200 are backing him.

"We will not compromise," Becerra said. "We will not negotiate. We will use every inch of our resources to make sure we defeat this administration."

The main speaker for those supporting the measure was William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration. He traveled from Raleigh, N.C., to witness the vote.

"Waukegan has become a central battle against illegal immigration," Gheen said. "We don't want to see Waukegan backing down to mob rule."



http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/4712 ... 17.article

"I don't agree with this," she said. "This wasn't right. I think it is just discrimination."

That's because most likely you are here illegally in the first place, and God forbid you actually follow the laws anyway.

It was right! It is what CITIZENS wanted their elected officials to do. THAT IS HOW THIS COUNTRY WORKS YOU MORON!

It was an electric moment. To hear the speeches, the reactions. I am so glad William was there to witness this event.

Boycott...

The greek produce owner who is supporting the boycott said his business is down by 30%. Many people have vowed never to shop there again.

I'm not worried about Ramon's threats. His crowd also used threats to get names on their petition. A woman's elderly father was approached in his home to sign, when he hesitated he heard; your a traitor to your people, etc... so he signed.

Originally Posted by fedupinwaukegan

It was an electric moment. To hear the speeches, the reactions. I am so glad William was there to witness this event.

Boycott...

The greek produce owner who is supporting the boycott said his business is down by 30%. Many people have vowed never to shop there again.

I'm not worried about Ramon's threats. His crowd also used threats to get names on their petition. A woman's elderly father was approached in his home to sign, when he hesitated he heard; your a traitor to your people, etc... so he signed.

On a side note, hats off to you Fedup and all the activists who helped in this.

I do have one question though. If this already passed the first time with a 7-2 vote, why did the Waukegan council have to vote on it again?

On a side note, hats off to you Fedup and all the activists who helped in this.

I do have one question though. If this already passed the first time with a 7-2 vote, why did the Waukegan council have to vote on it again?

Thank you sippy.

Good question. As I was at the last three meetings I can help you here. First meeting, after much discussion, they passed it with just a few of us there. Next meeting was another story -I barely got in. After many empassioned speeches against it during aldermen time Balen brought up a motion to rescind the application. The vote was held over till this meeting. Last night when the aldermwoman that seconded his motion two weeks ago asked if she could take back her second -I knew we had it!! As it turns out Balen changed his mind to and supported it again. He implied the calls from around the country helped.

Fedup, I'm glad you guys got this passed! I remember a year ago(possibly longer?) you have been wanting to get something going like this. I'm glad they did. Waukegan is a beautiful area.

Originally Posted by sippy

Fedup, I'm glad you guys got this passed! I remember a year ago(possibly longer?) you have been wanting to get something going like this. I'm glad they did. Waukegan is a beautiful area.

That is so cool you remembered and you are exactly right!!! A year ago after I saw the marches around the country I woke up. I found alipac and started feeding my city information. Then I learned about 287g here...

Did I ever think an event like last night would happen?! No. The first meeting I was at last month there were only a few of us.

And it ain't over. I thought I'd take a small vacation -yet this morning the mayor said on the radio that they are going to look into making English our official language next. So keep this in mind.

Waukegan really does have a lot of beauty to it. The lake is incredible. Chuckle, I sat looking at the lake for three hours yesterday while I was waiting to get a ticket to get in the meeting.

It is one of the many pretty areas in WI.
The company I work for has their main headquarters there in Brookfield and Milwaukee, but I've been into Waukegan many times with our sales force.

So they are getting ready to make English the official language? That is awesome!

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... =0&thold=0

American citizens, doing the job the government doesn't want to do.

Always good news.