Thread: THE GREAT AMERICAN BOYCOTT 2, MAY MISS SAN DIEGO

'Great American Boycott 2' may miss San Diego County

By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer
25 APRIL 2007

NORTH COUNTY -- Los Angeles-based immigrant activists said this week that they expect walkout-and-boycott protests to be better coordinated Tuesday than they were a year ago, in what is being called "the Great American Boycott 2."

But San Diego County activists said there may not be much of a protest here, unless it is spontaneous and last-minute.

"We haven't talked about it formally," Bill de la Fuente, founder of a North County-based Latino merchants association said Tuesday. "Last May 1, we did support it and a number of businesses closed down, but this time, the issue has not been a top priority."


Many around the country were shocked a year ago when more than 1 million Latinos -- seemingly spontaneously -- took to the streets in a May 1 protest and boycott aimed at prodding Congress to reject calls to toughen immigration laws, including a bill that would have declared all illegal aliens to be felons subject to deportation.

Protests, which started with student demonstrations in March and April before culminating in the May 1 national walkout, instead called on Congress to pass reform-legislation that would grant millions of immigrants amnesty.

The epicenter was Los Angeles, where half a million people marched in the streets, including an estimated 72,000 students who skipped school to take part.

But it was also felt in North San Diego County, where thousands of protesters took part in demonstrations; numerous Latino-owned businesses closed; and school officials reported that there were as many as 10,000 more absentees than normal.

Congress never did pass any significant immigration law reform in 2006, and debate continues this year.

On Tuesday, Javier Rodriguez of the Los Angeles-based March 25 Coalition said that May Day 2007 could see even bigger protests. The coalition is a collection of more than 100 political and immigrant rights organizations.

"The Great American Boycott 2 is a continuation of last year's mass struggle," he said. "We are staging demonstrations in approximately 75 cities in the country in approximately 16 states. We have the major cities in the country."

But some have questioned how big a turnout the new protests will actually prompt.

A number of major Latino figures have said they won't support the boycott. One of those is 77-year-old Dolores Huerta, a leading Latino rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez.

Here in San Diego County, local activists said that there has been little discussion of the May Day and possible protests.

Consuelo Martinez, founder of the grass-roots immigrant rights group, the Escondido Human Rights Committee, said, "I have heard of mobilization taking place in L.A., but nothing here in San Diego."

Martinez said she knows that some local Latinos plan to take the day off from work and school in protest, but that local leaders didn't jump forward to help lead any significant protest.

"No one took the initiative this year," she said. "No one took leadership."

Martinez said that she hadn't even seen much local chatter about potential May Day protests on the Internet -- which helped spread the word about protests among students last year.

De la Fuente, meanwhile, said that he felt that some business owners suffered a backlash after last year's protests. And, he said, he personally felt that the protests "galvanized" debate on immigration issues, creating less dialogue and more infighting.

"Anyone on the fence eventually fell to one side or the other side," he said. "I believe there's been a backlash and will continue to be one."

De la Fuente said Latino leaders needed to embrace other avenues to make their voices heard.

"Let's put it this way," he said. "I would like to see some different strategies. Marches are good. They do keep (immigration) a hot topic. But at the same time, we have to be working in other areas to give it more dimension."

-- Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 739-6696 or gconaughton@nctimes.com.

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Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Oh heck! wrote on April 24, 2007 11:01 PM:"Last time the day without an illegal in San Diego was really a day without a traffic jam. Let's all work to get OUR local illegals to participate so we can have decent traffic for at least one day!!!!"

Greg in Oceanside wrote on April 24, 2007 11:03 PM:"Hmm, the "Great American Boycot2" eh??? This certainly shows me and other AMERICAN CITIZENS that Mexicans and illegal aliens aren't ready to integrate into our country. Here is yet another example of 'why' we need to enforce our immigration laws and deport illegal aliens, and build the border wall. This is not Mexico, and it never will be. I'd love to see this "boycott" on a daily basis or as often as possible. Then maybe our streets, schools, and other places will be less crowded. We've done 'ok' without the countless illegal aliens, and Mexicans before, so we're not in any great danger of things coming to a screeching halt if they're not around to mow yards, clean houses, flip burgers, pick up trash, or pour concrete. There are Americans, of every race, that'll pick up the slack."

Lame Mexican Walkout wrote on April 24, 2007 11:12 PM:"Last year there was a lame Mexican walkout. It had no effect on the economy. It is impossible to have an American Walkout 2 because there was never an American Walkout 1. What was heard and viewed last year was Mexicans who imported La Raza politics from Mexico. The walkout woke up Americans to the invasion."

Mexican Xenophobia wrote on April 24, 2007 11:35 PM:"Since 1917, the Mexican Constitution (article 27) prohibits direct ownership of real estate by foreigners in what has come to be known as the "restricted zone". The restricted zone encompasses all land located within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of any Mexican border, and 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of any Mexican coastline. Originally the "restricted zone" was created to protect Mexico from foreign invasion. A fideicomiso (Mexican bank land trust) is not anywhere near actual /ownership. An immigration amnesty bill must exclude citizens from any country that treats Americans so poorly. In other words, until Mexico amends its constitution to allow open Mexican land ownership by Americans, no Mexican illegal aliens should be granted amnesty, residency, or the like. Mexico must learn that its xenophobic policies are corrosive, stupid, and will no longer be tolerated."

Bring on the boycott wrote on April 25, 2007 12:08 AM:"My house cleaner participated in the one last year. I don't know if she got another job after that funfilled day but I told her I wouldn't be needing her any more! My house is just as clean when I clean it and I don't have to hide anything for one day a week!"

Silly Americans wrote on April 25, 2007 1:26 AM:"When will you learn your history other then the propaganda text books they teach you in school. Southern California use to be part of Mexico until America stole it from Mexico. Just like most of America was stolen from the Native Americans. How in the world can you not realize that when one of our own states is called NEW MEXICO. Hello how much clearer can it get. I believe in immigration reform but not just for mexicans but from every country. This country is a melting pot with a bunch rascists in it. America is full of hypocrits that need to take long hard looks in the mirror. Can you honestly say you will pick up the slack and mow your own lawn or pay twice what you pay now for your house cleaning and babysitters. I think not because Americans have become lazy, selfish, greedy, and big babies. You people cry and complain about everything unless its benefitting yourselfs. I thought the walkouts were lame. Especially the thousands of kids that didnt attend school that caused them to lose lots of money. "

Lawson.... wrote on April 25, 2007 4:28 AM:"How much longer must we endure immigrant-bashing by vigilante-racists? Get a job or volunteer. Quit ripping the fragile fabric of our society!"

Skip wrote on April 25, 2007 4:33 AM:"Hey NCT, Please don't forget to cover the Rally in Washington D.C. that is being attended by United States Citizens. "HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE" 2007. This Rally represents Lobbying by American Citizens towards our legislators in order to put a stop to Illegal Immigration."

Skip wrote on April 25, 2007 4:35 AM:"Maybe it will make better news if there is Rioting in the Streets, just like in France. What is going to happen if American Citizens through legal processes say No Way to Amnesty. There is not a big push by Americans to grant Amnesty."

blm wrote on April 25, 2007 4:49 AM:"An "American" boycott? This whole Mexican flag waving approach is just an effective way of shooting themselves in the foot. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you..."

John Viloria wrote on April 25, 2007 6:27 AM:"Mexican Xenophobia -- don't you know that they came here "just to better themselves". While they are of the impression that U.S. laws do not apply to them, Mexican laws are enforced against American Citizens. I suspect a double standard here."

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Bring on the boycott wrote on April 25, 2007 12:08 AM:"My house cleaner participated in the one last year. I don't know if she got another job after that funfilled day but I told her I wouldn't be needing her any more! My house is just as clean when I clean it and I don't have to hide anything for one day a week!"

, Ahh....great I am glad to hear this person got some sense and fired the woman whom she/he knew they really could not trust. See. now, cleaning your own house is not so bad, and if you really are too tired, do what the rest of us do, leave the mess till tomorrow instead of hiring illegals to clean it up.

Comments On This Story

Adam wrote on April 25, 2007 6:47 AM:"GREAT AMERICAN BOYCOTT? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Who is going to provide them with free Medicaid so they can have their kids? Who is going to provide the Illegal Aliens with free schools at about $10,000 a year per student? Where else can you drive and own a car without license, registration and insurance because it is the right of all people to drive. Where else can you work under the table and not pay any taxes, or live 5 or more families to a house. Where else can you make up a cause that this is racism because of a brown skin color when our own government classifies Hispanics as Caucasians. With all due respects Please hold your Boycott in Mexico or the country you are a citizen of. Make no mistake about it this is a Day without Illegal Aliens, and a lot of people would like to extend that to years. Oh and I hope they don’t forget to bring Thousands of MEXICAN FLAGS to their protest."

Split Loyalty wrote on April 25, 2007 6:52 AM:"In the 1986 amnesty, Mexican illegal immigrants could become permanent residents, and then US citizens. Some friends of mine only became permanent residents, but not US citizens, until Mexico changed its laws allowing dual nationality. In the late 1990's, Mexico was losing many of its citizens to the US, so they changed their laws allowing dual citizenship, and allowing recent US citizens (from the 1986 amnesty) a time to reclaim their Mexican citizenship. Unlike 1986, where amnesty recipients had to be completely committed to become a US citizens, illegal immigrants from Mexico can now straddle the line, becoming US citizens while retaining Mexican allegiances, voting on both sides of the border and shifting their allegiances at will. I feel that giving amnesty, and then citizenship, to a person who will not commit their full allegiance to the US is unwise. This needs more attention in the immigration debate. "

To John Viloria : wrote on April 25, 2007 6:54 AM:"RE: don't you know that they came here "just to better themselves". >>> Sure they come here for the Money, but not to be Americans as their loyalties lie elsewhere. They are coming here by the thousands every day, and they all want a better life, but more and more it is at the American Taxpayer Expense, and through the decay of our society. A good example is: "Why do you think the California Teachers Association are running those nauseating commercials that are saying that California schools are under funded by 40%, and that we must increase revenues to the schools. They say it is for the children, but what they do not say, is that it is not for our children, but for children of Illegal Aliens from foreign countries.""

RE: Many around the country were shocked a year ago when more than 1 million Latinos -- wrote on April 25, 2007 7:04 AM:"Heck ! it was more like; Who are these millions of Foreign Citizens waving their Foreign Flags demanding rights and benifits at Taxpayer espense, and that we as Americans Change Our Laws to Accomendate Them!"

We are going wrote on April 25, 2007 7:17 AM:"to Unionize all foreign workers in theis country! Minimum salary will be $15.00 an hour even for the day labors. Employers will sign waivers that they agree to pay all medical cost if said worker is injured on their job, mindful that most injuries don't appear until the following day. Employers will be paying the foriegn workers unemployment insurance. We are in the process of hiring foriegn workers to insure that our card carrying, dues paying members will be entitled to work as day laborers or manufacturing workers and not have to worry about non union workers taking away their jobs. "

Madam Patriot wrote on April 25, 2007 7:23 AM:"Bring it on! I look forward to seeing which businesses close for the day. It helps me identify the establishments that I'll never patronize again for their support of illegal immigration. I only have two questions to all of you who support this lame brain idea of amnesty. Do you honestly believe the 12 million who broke our laws getting here will stay in their current jobs once they get their (real) papers? & Who replaces them doing the jobs that Americans just won't do? Enjoy your march."

Mexican Xenophobia wrote on April 25, 2007 7:24 AM:"To John Viloria, the only moral justification for coming here illegally is if a person is forced to emigrate from their home country as, for example, a refugee or an assylum seeker. Included in 'forced' would be wars, famine, fascism, etc. None of that is happening in Mexico. As you point out, the current wave of illegal immigrants from Mexico are merely looking to live a better life. However, that provides no moral justification for illegally entering the United States. It is not unusual for a person, lacking morals, to violate laws unless the laws are specifically enforced against that person. That unwillingness to voluntarily follow the law is one of the things that make this current illegal immigration invasion so costly to our civic order and institutions."

To Silly Americans wrote on April 25, 2007 7:27 AM:"Let's get one thing straight. The U.S. did not steal Southern California. The U.S. beat the crap out of Mexico and took it outright. Stealing implies that it was done on the sly. Americans back then kicked the tar out of Mexico and took the reward. Just think if the U.S. had left Mexico alone, there would be a larger third world country and have more of an opportunity for even more illegal aliens to enter the U.S. Oh, by the way. The U.S. isn't filled with racists. It's filled with Americans of all ethnicities who are tired of having to pay for people from other countries. It does not matter what country a person comes from. If they did not have authorization or approval to enter our borders, then they do not deserve our precious tax dollars. Oh, and I do mow my own lawn and all the employees are Americans at the daycare my daughter attends. Being of Mexican/Spanish descent, I am not racist against Mexicans. I am against those who do not belong here."

Sippy wrote on April 25, 2007 7:41 AM:"GO ahead and march. The boycott didn't accomplish anything but make more Americans aware and angry at the immigration problem. Oh one more thing, the economy wasn't hurt at all and you didn't get your stupid amnesty. But please, march again anyway because it only furthers OUR cause, not yours!"

ProudAmerican wrote on April 25, 2007 7:42 AM:"To quote, "Many around the country were shocked a year ago when more than 1 million Latinos -- seemingly spontaneously -- took to the streets" Um, no, I was surprised that they were waving Mexican flags and saying so many anti-American things. Americans support people that are here legally and are trying to make America a better country. We do not support illegal aliens that only want to abuse our laws, steal our public services, and snub their nose at our ideals."

Danny P wrote on April 25, 2007 7:46 AM:"on saturday April 28th ,there will be a gathering on Grape Day Park, but not to protest or to boycot anybody, the community of Escondido will get together to embrace our future,our children, and to embreace and promove education in Escondido. I'm a local activist that has been trying to integrate the community together, I don't believe on white,brown,black,yellow ,or blue races working by themselves; I believe in the community make by every color of the spectrum and working in harmony; I believe that education is the most amazing equalisor on our society , let's stop hating everybody and let's start embracing our neighboor,together we can make a better world. on April 28th the community of Escondido will say let's take our kids to school on May 1st and let's celebrate the greatness of this wonderful country. is time to leave the intolerance and to follow the teachings of the greatest teacher,let's love our neighboor as ourselves. Kid's day Festival Grape Day Park Saturday ,April 28th 10 am - 5 pm free admission let's join and say no to the intolerance."

CR wrote on April 25, 2007 8:02 AM:"Let's all volunteer to drive our local illegals to the border so they can boycott the U.S. and shop in Mexico. Then let's REALLY close the borders--problem solved!"

Jet wrote on April 25, 2007 8:18 AM:"Many were shocked at the boycot? You mean shocked that our emergency rooms were not full, our classrooms were not spilling over and traffic congestion was down? To Silly, I suppose then that Spain and all of its decendants that live in Mexico and Latin America should repatriate all of the wealth and land back to the native people? With your logic, probably 99% of the Mexican people have no more right to their land than America has to maintain its border with Mexico."

Guiseppi - wrote on April 25, 2007 8:24 AM:". Reading all these nasty, xenophobic comments, now I know what my great grandparents went through when they immigrated to this country from Italy. Some day, however, the new immigrants will be mayors of New York, Oceanside and Escondido. Maybe even run for president. I wonder what group will become the new scapegoats two generations from now. I can't even imagine. It is all so irrational."

KenBone wrote on April 25, 2007 8:50 AM:"The main participants last year were underage students. If they walk again, ship em all to MExico and seal the border!"

Concerned-1 wrote on April 25, 2007 9:01 AM:"Mr. Del la Fuete is right. These demonstration do nothing but galvinize socitey. I personally went from a moderate on illegals to anti-illegal. All it took was watching all those ungreatful people waving Mexican flags...not to mention those kids on the freeways. I also have stopped shopping at any of the stores / restaurants that closed. When will people wake up to the fact that the so-called leaders of all these movements are only in it for themselves?"

Hey Danny P wrote on April 25, 2007 9:06 AM:"You might want to think about doing some spell check on your posts if you are going to preach about education. I won't go into grammer because mine isn't any better. As for this boycot it sounds like they figured out that this whole thing did them more harm than good. At least they figured it out in San Diego."

Josh wrote on April 25, 2007 9:10 AM:"I'm with Guiseppi. The world is more complicated than a narrow, self-serving ideology can comprehend. One can only imagine what it's like to be in an immigrant's place, to need or want something so badly they have to migrate from their homeland. Sure Mexico and whatever other country should be able to provide what their people seek, but obviously that's easier said than done. I hope all these spiteful Americans realize they were once immigrants themselves, and someone was probably really upset about that."

Margaret wrote on April 25, 2007 9:10 AM:"Too bad they won't boycott this year. It was so nice to have them all at home last May. Funny how the article says many were "shocked" last May when they took to the streets. I think the correct word would be "thrilled". I know I was thrilled to have my streets, stores and hospitals all congested with illegal aliens!!!"

Kathryn wrote on April 25, 2007 9:42 AM:"The boycotts showed how nice things can be without the illegals. All we need is for ICE to go arrest the ungreatfull gits demanding citizenship for breaking the law and maybe the US might get a little respect for enforcing its own laws. Instead we have Mexican nationals taking to US streets to demand rights beyond that of US citizens. I'd like to see Americans go down to Mexico and try that."

native californian wrote on April 25, 2007 9:47 AM:"Guiseppi, you are so right! We have a govenor that can't even pronounce California! "

Only the Ignorant wrote on April 25, 2007 9:55 AM:"Keep spewing your hatred for your brown neighbors all the way until Bush opens the borders permanantly and the North American Union is born. Your dollars will convert to ameros. All citizens of the North American Union will be legal. They only have to wait a little longer and stay right where they are. Protesting at this point is not needed - this is why they haven't been concerned about protesting in San Diego. You can thank President Bush and his North County Cronies, Issa and the rest, for this. "

Gina wrote on April 25, 2007 10:07 AM:"Get 'em all OUT!!!!!!!! I am marching in Washington! I have had enough of this bull!"

To Danny P wrote on April 25, 2007 10:07 AM:"This gathering you speak of is called 'Dia Del Sol' where several Mexican newspapers and Mexican radio stations who sponsored this shindig will play Mexican music and speak in spanish. Do not try and fool me. A pro illegal rally by any other name is still the same.This is not 1986 this is a new generation. A generation of people who suffered the effects of the last amnesty. If you truly believe that we will sit idily by while you steal our Country from us you are sadly mistaken.Round 'em up move 'em out.The backlash you felt from the walkouts last year will be nothing, nothing like the backlash of angry Americans if they pass an amnesty bill. You can call me racist, you can call me mean, but make sure you call me American.I really do not care how America got this part of Mexico, its old news its history. Do you really believe that that country could have done whats America did with it. Do you really believe that Mexico would have been so much better if they only had their old land back. Get real people."

NCT Buys the Propaganda wrote on April 25, 2007 10:20 AM:"People were 'shocked' last year when the illegal aliens and their supporters took to the streets? Buy the pro-open border propaganda much? People weren't 'shocked' - we were delighted. It focused attention to the problem AND brought us less traffic. It was fantastic. "

To Josh wrote on April 25, 2007 10:20 AM:"We are a nation of LEGAL immigrants. When you come to the country legally, like my grandparents did, you are invited to be here. Sure, a few Americans get upset with legal immigrants, but the real wrath goes to the illegal "migrant" who arrives without an invitation. Legal immigration is at historically high levels already. Now add to those numbers millions of uninvited who consume taxpayer services and pay little or no taxes. This is a huge burden on our socialist society and will surely destroy it. Americans are understandably spiteful because they are paying more in taxes, fees, car insurance and health insurance to subsidize people they did not invite here."

Unionize them wrote on April 25, 2007 10:23 AM:"make it so costly for employers they wouldn't touch an illegal worker with a ten foot pole. Start reporting the employers to the Labor Board, I don't think they will like the investiagation against them for not paying prevailing wages. "

Ugh wrote on April 25, 2007 10:26 AM:"This whole "our land was stolen that's why Mexico sucks" thing is ridiculous. The USA is not some magical piece of dirt where the wealth sprung out of the ground. America is wealthy because the people here have worked very hard, educated themselves, invented practically everything, and actually DID something to make this country great rather than whining about it. If this land was a part of Mexico it would be just as filthy, corrupt, and impoverished as Mexico. But keep holding onto your fantasy... It's much easier to do nothing but whine, stage pointless protests, and dream of the magic money growing dirt you want so badly, than to go fix Mexico."

The Mexican American War wrote on April 25, 2007 10:30 AM:"was desired by General Santa Ana who provoked the start by firing on American soldiers. Santa Ana wanted war, as he believed he could reclaim Texas, which has recently voted to join the United States. Texas had successfully won it's independence from Mexico , in the same way Mexico had won it's independence from Spain in the 1820s."

North American Union wrote on April 25, 2007 10:46 AM:"At least one person on here has got it right. All your yammering is a moot point. Make way for the North American Union, where all those born in Canada, the United States and Mexico will be legal citizens. It's sad but true. Regards, the Truth Teller."

Union unlikely wrote on April 25, 2007 11:27 AM:"A north american union isn't going to happen. Canada is too socialist and mexico is too corrupt. All three nations are far too nationalist to go for it. The people claiming this are the same ones that believe the US blew up WTC on 9-11. The bottom line on immigration is that Mexico is corrupt to the bone. There is no middle class so the only way to get ahead is to come to America or become a drug lord terrorist gangster."

FOCAL POINT wrote on April 25, 2007 11:37 AM:"Silly Americans wrote on April 25, 2007 1:26 AM:"The United States did not steal territory from Mexico. It was ceded to the United States by an international treaty between the two countries. We did steal the land from the native Americans. Yes, one of our states is New Mexico. That does not make it Mexico or old Mexico. A region of the USA is called New England. But, it is not England. I think that Americans would pick up the slack. Give us a chance. All 12 million of you illegals go back to Mexico and see what happens. By the way, would you please go with them to show the way. "

I hear talk wrote on April 25, 2007 11:37 AM:"that now that the Mexican government is taking over the trucking industry inside the US, that now there is talk to bust the Police unions and hire illegal workers as police work is another industry that Americans don't want to do. "

go home wrote on April 25, 2007 11:50 AM:"These illegals aliean harborers think there respected by doing something this stupid , there wrong. There telling illegals to walk off the job site that they stood on corners for days to get, therefore, not getting paid for that day and also probably getting fired for just leaving, real smart approach. The title pretty much shows the americans what the enemies are trying to do to the USA, the great american boycott. This shows there lack of respect for this country and all it stands for. Americans stand tall and there citizens never turn there backs on there country, but I guess since these 12 million criminal boycotters are illegals there doing us a favor by leaving our cities for the day, who cares because they wont change one thing politically. This is a last ditch effort to make someone listen because no one cares so for . Mabye all the illegals can march straight to San Francisco and stay there permanantly since there mayor seems to want to destroy that city. The heat is on and its only going to get hotter for illegals because we dont want criminals here period. Get in line, speak english, not spanglish, get a liscense to drive, dont over crowd homes made for real single falilies, try to keep you kids out of jail, the list goes on for miles. We dont need them or want them, they should have got the picture loud and clear and if not, ICE is coming sooner or later, hope there bags are packed."

NoAm Union wrote on April 25, 2007 12:08 PM:"The North American Union will be great boon to Americans. We will get cheap ... labor from Mexico and fresh clean water from Canada. Also, we will be able to raise the price of EVERYTHING across Mexico and we will be able to take over their sweetest locations and drain their oil reserves. Canada and Mexico won't even see it coming. "

Concerned-1 wrote on April 25, 2007 12:34 PM:"I urge all the pro illegal folk to take a drive through Santa Ana, California. Once a beautiful town and former county seat, the city had dilapadated into third world conditions. It is a real world example of what you people are asking for. Thanks but no thanks."

To Guiseppi wrote on April 25, 2007 1:35 PM:""the new immigrants will be mayors of New York, Oceanside and Escondido. Maybe even run for president". I have news for you. In order to run for President you must be born in the United States. You obviously don't know the U.S. Constitution."

Please boycott! wrote on April 25, 2007 2:25 PM:"I want to see lots of people lose their jobs! "

Chris wrote on April 25, 2007 2:25 PM:"People like Josh and Guiseppi still just don't get it. the majority of us DO NOT have problems with immigrants. What we do have a problem with is ILLEGAL immigrants. Just in case you don't know what the word ILLEGAL means - here's the dictionary meaning - "NOT LAWFUL". I trust that you do understand the meaning of the word "lawful", right? I would also suggest that Guiseppi bone up on the constitution - you have to be an American BORN citizen to run for President.....DUH. But maybe that's the problem - you just don't know the rules!!!"

Alan wrote on April 25, 2007 2:57 PM:"Any illegal immigrant who has used a stolen or fraudulent ID, who has driven without license or insurance or committed any other CRIME should not be eligible for any future work programs or amnesty. They should be deported immediately. Those who have not committed any crimes should be considered for guest worker programs. Very simple, even simple to understand. They are not comparable immigrants to our forefathers. Many of these have destroyed actual citizen identities, taken lives and cost millions in damages because of their selfishness, deceit and dishonesty. How again does that compare to our immigrant forefathers?"

Also to Guiseppi wrote on April 25, 2007 3:00 PM:"My great grandparents are also from Italy, but they came over here changed their last name to an american one, and worked very hard for their money and did not take any freebies from the government!"

I have been telling ICE wrote on April 25, 2007 3:38 PM:"about Escondido Swap Meet!: Federal raid triggers Chicago protest CHICAGO, April 25 (UPI) -- Residents of a predominately Hispanic Chicago neighborhood took to the streets in protest after heavily armed U.S. immigration agents raided businesses. "Soldiers bombarded our neighborhood," Baltazar Enriquez told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It looked like they were marching into Iraq." Heavily armed federal officers in bullet-proof vests, locked down a strip mall Tuesday in a Southwest Side neighborhood known as Little Village, Enriquez said. The raid triggered a protest of 250 to 300 people that lasted into the evening, the newspaper said. The federal agents were searching for sellers of fake Social Security and resident alien green cards, authorities said, refusing to say how many people were arrested in the search. Those arrested were to appear in federal court Wednesday. Neighborhood activists said the raid may have been to intimidate people from participating in a downtown May 1 march and rally to protest recent federal raids nationwide, the Chicago Tribune said. "

Syl wrote on April 25, 2007 3:56 PM:"There is nothing Great about this Boycott, and there is definitely nothing American about this Boycott. Americans do not boycott America. Why not call it for what it is, The Big Mexican Protest. It is funny that they do not do that when they were home in their own country. Boy are we pushovers."

Ingrid wrote on April 25, 2007 3:59 PM:"In the first place we should insist that the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equity with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people. Theodore Roosevelt in a letter to the American Defense Society in 1919. "

Is that all???? wrote on April 25, 2007 4:11 PM:"Crackdown on smuggling results in 5,000 arrests By Leslie Berestein UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER April 25, 2007 "

AEQUITAS ET VERITAS wrote on April 25, 2007 4:15 PM:"Some perspective. Mexico has a population of 107 million, but India and China have a population of 2.3 BILLION. Thousands of Asians now come across the Canadian border with temporary visas, but remain here permanently. US companies outsource low skill jobs to Asia and elsewhere and have relocated factories there as well. 90% of our furniture industry has now moved to Asia. Most instruction manuals now come in several languages. NAFTA, maquilladoras, guest workers, legalization of migrants: it all fits together in the plan for first the North American Union (like the European Union) and then the World Union (WU)with the United Nations as a startup platform. All a natural progression of the global economy! We already have the World Court at the Hague. Better learn Spanish and Mandarin folks. (Maybe Hindi too.)"

Concerned-1 wrote on April 25, 2007 4:49 PM:"I say mobilize the National Guard and prepare to arrest thousands of illegal alien criminals. Put them on the fast track deporation to good old Mexico. Asta la vesta baby!"

Waving the flag wrote on April 25, 2007 5:12 PM:"Ah, yes! The proverbial melting pot that is the United States of America. I can hardly wait to see another sea of red, white and green flags and hear the patriotic chants of ¡Viva, México! as illegal aliens fill their lungs with air from the country they love to hate and demand even more government largesse at the taxpayers' expense. Only in America..."

Can we please wrote on April 25, 2007 5:22 PM:"Have a Year Without An Illegal? I would support that boycott! PS: notice that this is aimed at a criminal activity and not a particular race."

Please do wrote on April 25, 2007 6:48 PM:"Bring on the boycott. I'll be able to add to the list of Mexican establisments I no longer partonize. And since the last one, I have fired my Mexican gardener and never stop at Taco Bell. I think many, many legal American citizens have become more determined than ever to rid this country of illegal invaders. Oh, and please don't forget to wave your foreign flags as you shout your "demands" in spanish."

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