http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_4195533




Uruguayans await diplomat's visit

By Jordana Timerman
Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- Uruguayan community leaders met at Pizzeria de Leon in Central Plaza on Wednesday to discuss an upcoming visit from a Uruguayan diplomat, Alvaro Portillo.

Much of their conversation focused on the recent arrest of one of their friends, an illegal immigrant who has lived in Leominster for 20 years.

They exploded with anger at Uruguayan authorities, saying they have done nothing since the person's arrest Tuesday.

"They won't do anything," said Adriana Mendez in Spanish. She is a member of Uruguayos 2005, a local community group.

The Uruguayans met in the pizzeria owned by Jorge de Leon, also a native of Uruguay, to prepare for the diplomatic visit, which is scheduled for September 16.

Portillo, an ambassador with Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Relations, will be accompanied by the New York-based Uruguayan consul, Adriana Lissidini.

They decided to express their frustration over the arrest to the visiting officials.

"We have to ask them clearly: What can you do?" said Myriam Carrasco, a member of United Uruguayans. "Because tomorrow it could be me, it could be you."

The local Uruguayans' sense of isolation from official representation surfaced repeatedly during the meeting.

"We have to tell them what our needs are," Mendez said.

The most important hurdle for illegal immigrants -- getting a driver's license -- will not be easily solved by diplomacy, they agreed.

"The only issue, the preponderant problem, is the driver's license," said Gloria Balastraci, a member of United Uruguayans, another local community group.

But people in attendance said they would like to see a consular branch closer to home. The nearest Uruguayan consulate is in New York.

"If there was only a person here," said Martin Aristegui, Fitchburg's neighborhood liaison. He would like to have somebody available locally to process documents.

Although Lissidini has made trips to Fitchburg to renew passports, they complain she does not come often enough.

"People are going to New York," Carrasco said. "They can't wait."

Carrasco said her son needs to obtain a Uruguayan passport, but she cannot afford to send him to New York.

Still, the leaders are pleased at the possibility of fostering ties between the Twin Cities and their home country.

"The idea is to try to have a link," de Leon said.