Thread: Hispanic groups showing support for McCain bill

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... h0322.html

Hispanic groups showing support for McCain bill

Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 22, 2006 12:00 AM

Immigrants and U.S.-born Latinos carrying poster boards and Mexican flags rallied their support Tuesday of a bipartisan bill that seeks to stem illegal immigration by creating more ways for workers to enter legally.

About 60 children, lawyers, service workers and stay-at-home moms gathered outside the Mexican Consulate at 19th Avenue and Camelback Road and then drove by caravan in the rain to the office of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at 16th Street and Missouri Avenue.

Members of the group Padres Preocupados, or Worried Parents, said McCain's bill would ease fears of those living underground and would help them contribute more to society. They waved signs in Spanish that translate to, "We want legalization for everyone."

Gretal Posada, 11, was born at Maricopa County Hospital. Her parents are undocumented Mexican immigrants.

"I want to study here, live here," said Posada, carrying a sign while standing next to her mom, Araceili Posada. "My friends are mostly Hispanic. I was born here, and it's the only place I know."

The small rally is the latest in a string of grass-roots protests, marches and boycotts by Hispanics since 2004, when voters passed Proposition 200, a law that prohibits undocumented immigrants from voting or receiving certain public benefits.

Two other marches against proposed legislation that would make life more difficult for undocumented immigrants are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday and are expected to draw hundreds.

Marchers are going to the offices of Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., who along with GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has announced plans for an immigration bill, which, in part would require workers to leave the U.S. to apply for temporary work permits.

Sarah Carcamo, who organized Tuesday's rally, said it was meant to raise awareness about McCain's bill. Local Hispanic-based non-profits are not doing enough, she said, to educate immigrants on the details.

"We need legalization," said Carcamo, a Guatemalan native who lives in north Phoenix. "(Immigrants) are tired of using fake documents. They're tired of not getting driver's licenses. Their U.S.-born children, they feel intimidated that they will have to go back to their parents' home, Mexico."



Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4712.

"(Immigrants) are tired of using fake documents. They're tired of not getting driver's licenses. Their U.S.-born children, they feel intimidated that they will have to go back to their parents' home, Mexico."

That falls under the heading of TOO-- too damn bad! This is the group we should put all on the same bus so they will have all their illegal friends who "grew up here" with them. They can set a fine example for the rest of their countrymen by building a model city for themselves. Then when the wolves come gnawing at their door, they will know what we feel like.