Thread: Charlotte Observer: REad what the ILLEGALS SAY HERE!!

Jose Zamora says he has saved almost $75,000 with his wife and brothers toward their dream of opening a family restaurant. He raised the money over five years by working double shifts at restaurants starting at 8 a.m. and often not ending until 2 a.m.

As he picked seeds from chilies this week at his current job, the 27-year-old cook said the only thing holding him back from his dream is legal residency.

He thought, for a few days at least, all that was about to change last week before U.S. senators failed to back a bill that would have given 12 million illegal immigrants a path to legal residency.

"We were all excited about what was happening, to live without fear," he said. "Then, everything fell apart."

The mood inside this Mexican taqueria in Charlotte over the past several days reflects the roller coaster of emotions felt by many in the Latino community. Last week, as customers ate delicacies such as tacos de lengua (beef tongue), they patted each other on the back watching news broadcasts on restaurant televisions about momentum behind the immigration bill, employees said.

Feelings quickly changed by last weekend when support from senators suddenly faltered. But emotions were back up Friday as news spread that lawmakers would take up the controversial issue again.

"People are still hopeful," said Jose Ricardo Torres, 28, eating a late lunch in a booth with his 9-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

Opponents who derailed the bill last week had characterized it as amnesty and wanted additional resources placed on border security.

Just as the bill was being eulogized, the Senate agreed to reopen the debate Thursday after President Bush endorsed a plan to speed up $4.4 billion for border security projects.

Its passage, however, is far from certain.

Support in some media

The Communities for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a local group of Latino advocates, has been on a lobbying blitz this week urging immigrants to call, e-mail and fax N.C. members of Congress and push for the bill's passage.The group set up a toll-free 800 number for immigrants to connect them with their local lawmaker and tells them in a recorded message what to say in English: "Support immigration reform that protects families and workers."

Mario Lopez, a spokesman for the group, encouraged radio listeners of Spanish-language WGSP-AM ("La Tremenda" 1310) on Wednesday morning to keep up the pressure.

"The calls that you're doing are going to affect the debate and can help the immigrants," he told the audience.

Spanish-language station WNOW-AM ("Radio Lider" 1030) dedicates parts of its morning show to the measure and has called lawmakers live on-air.

In fact, several local Spanish-language media outlets have decided to take an official stance in support of legalizing undocumented immigrants.

Mi Gente and Qué Pasa newspapers have given advocates free advertising.

"We don't think there is any doubt whether they should be legalized," said Rafael Prieto, editor and publisher of Mi Gente.

`What ifs' stir worry

Many advocates fear the bill's failure in Washington would only harden ill feelings in the Charlotte region toward illegal immigrants, put more pressure on county and city government to enact measures to crack down on illegal immigrants and create shortages of unskilled laborers.

"The bad is only going to get worse," said Angeles Ortega-Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition.

The coalition said the immigration debate has also opened doors for some to prey on unsuspecting immigrants. The coalition's director of operations, Raquel Lynch, said they've received more than 20 calls a month since January, double from last year, from immigrants who say they've heard from "notarios" and other so-called immigration experts who claim they can help them become legal -- for a fee.

Several Charlotte immigrants who spoke to the Observer said that if the bill fails, they will consider leaving the country.

Outside the restaurant, Javier Garza said he plans to return to Mexico. He questions whether it's worth staying, considering recent state legislation to prevent the undocumented from getting driver's licenses, and the sheriff's program to deport illegal immigrants who are charged with crimes..
Garza, who has three children, does not want to put his family through the turmoil.

"I'm tired of waiting for immigration reform," he said. "I'm tired of having the toughest jobs. I'm tired of not having insurance for my children."Zamora ran up a $65 long-distance bill, he said, calling his parents and brothers in Mexico to relay the good, the bad, and then good news.

"I'm trying to have faith for change," he said. "Hopefully, it will be soon, for all us immigrants."

Franco Ordoñez: 704-358-6180

Immigration Statistics

• As many as 12 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S.• About 390,000 illegal immigrants live in North Carolina. About 55,000 live in South Carolina.

Debate on the Table

The immigration bill would offer legal status to 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., create a guest-worker program, stiffen workplace enforcement and boost border security. Key amendments to be debated:

• A requirement that all undocumented immigrants return to their home country to apply for a "Z-visa" that would let them remain in the U.S. as long as they have jobs.

• Penalties, including jail terms, for people who overstay tourist, student or work visas.

• A visa tracking system that allows law enforcement to check whether people overstayed their visas.

• A tamper-proof Social Security card to prevent forgeries

the article stated:
"I'm tired of waiting for immigration reform," he said. "I'm tired of having the toughest jobs. I'm tired of not having insurance for my children."Zamora ran up a $65 long-distance bill, he said, calling his parents and brothers in Mexico to relay the good, the bad, and then good news. "

therein lies a message.... as soon as they are "legal", they will move up the scale, competing with some more Americans for the "better" jobs, then industry will start a NEW WAVE of illegals to fill the shoes of those who left....

that may be their AMERICAN DREAM, but it makes an AMERICAN NIGHTMARE out of ours....

their solution is to apply the AMERICAN DREAM to their own homeland; the concept is exportable, but THEY have to be willing to change the corrupt system in Mexico to accomplish the task... they did it in 1810, again in 1910.... and 2010 is around the corner

the problem is that they find it easier to come here to pick our pockets, than to attack corruption at home.... we pay the price for Mexican corruption....

The Communities for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a local group of Latino advocates, has been on a lobbying blitz this week urging immigrants to call, e-mail and fax N.C. members of Congress and push for the bill's passage.The group set up a toll-free 800 number for immigrants to connect them with their local lawmaker and tells them in a recorded message what to say in English: "Support immigration reform that protects families and workers."

Mario Lopez, a spokesman for the group, encouraged radio listeners of Spanish-language WGSP-AM ("La Tremenda" 1310) on Wednesday morning to keep up the pressure.

Illegal immigrants should not be calling OUR elected representatives! Be it as it may, I certainly hope OUR representatives aren't giving the calls of illegals the same relevance as American citizen calls.

Illegals are calling our senators, why else is there a spanish one line to contact them. Our government has given away our government. congress tells that illegals will learn english with mandating it as the official language. If that was true why do we have spanish ballots, spanish speaking telepromts, and a spanish telephone line to our government. Why when you go on government web sites are there spanish versions? this is expensive and cost that taxpayers should not have to pay if it is true that illegals will learn english.

Originally Posted by MW

Illegal immigrants should not be calling OUR elected representatives! Be it as it may, I certainly hope OUR representatives aren't giving the calls of illegals the same relevance as American citizen calls.

Of course they're not. Let's not be silly. They're giving MORE weight to the voices of the illegals.

Outside the restaurant, Javier Garza said he plans to return to Mexico. He questions whether it's worth staying, considering recent state legislation to prevent the undocumented from getting driver's licenses, and the sheriff's program to deport illegal immigrants who are charged with crimes..

Again, proof that enforcing our laws will lead to people leaving by attrition. There is no need to deport 12-20 million as the press likes to lament.
They will leave on their own if social services are denied and jobs are not available.

I can't get over the fact that he saved 75,000 in 5 years...is that tax free

Originally Posted by mdillon1172

the article stated:
"I'm tired of waiting for immigration reform," he said. "I'm tired of having the toughest jobs. I'm tired of not having insurance for my children."Zamora ran up a $65 long-distance bill, he said, calling his parents and brothers in Mexico to relay the good, the bad, and then good news. "

therein lies a message.... as soon as they are "legal", they will move up the scale, competing with some more Americans for the "better" jobs, then industry will start a NEW WAVE of illegals to fill the shoes of those who left....

that may be their AMERICAN DREAM, but it makes an AMERICAN NIGHTMARE out of ours....

their solution is to apply the AMERICAN DREAM to their own homeland; the concept is exportable, but THEY have to be willing to change the corrupt system in Mexico to accomplish the task... they did it in 1810, again in 1910.... and 2010 is around the corner

the problem is that they find it easier to come here to pick our pockets, than to attack corruption at home.... we pay the price for Mexican corruption....

That's exactly what their doing and this nightmare is only getting worse. Scary article but true.

Amnesty / Immigration Surge Bill: The Regime Against The Nation By Patrick J. Buchanan

"To Be rid of American workers, but keep the American consumers"

NAU has a vision of a world where not only capital and goods but people move freely across borders. Indeed, BORDERS DISAPPEAR. It is a vision of a "deep integration" of the United States, Canada and Mexico in a North American Union, modeled on the European Union and tied together by super-highways and railroads, where crossing from Mexico into the United States would be as easy as crossing from Virginia into Maryland.

This immigration bill is but a piece of a great global project already far advanced. In 1993, a majority of Americans opposed the NAFTA trade deal with Mexico because they did not believe the propaganda and feared that, as Henry Kissinger said, it represented the architecture of a new world order.

They want a limitless supply of low-wage immigrant labor and an end to penalties for hiring illegals. They want the freedom to shut factories here and move them to nations where wages are low, benefits nonexistent and regulations lax. They want to be able to move products back to the United States free of charge. They want to be rid of their American workers, but keep their American consumers.

They want to be able to go out to Asia and hire bright kids and bring them to the United States to replace middle-aged U.S. workers who cost too much. They want to be able to outsource their white-collar jobs to India at a fraction of the wages they pay Americans.

Godawgs, it's unbelievable how much money the illegals have! They can save that amount of money because they are paying for nothing!!!!!
They get section 8 housing, welfare, wic, free school lunches, help with school supplies,free medical in the ER rooms, and other kinds of assistance offered to them by bleeding heart orgainzations all funded with TAXPAYER MONEY, all because of the Anchor Babies they have. They pay ZERO IN TAXES!
Most of them are being paid cash under the table.. and the IDIOTS in Washington are denying this fact! Everytime I am in the grocery store you see them either pull out huge wads of cash, or pay with the Texas Lonestar card..go figure and they don't speak english...as far as I'm concerned if they can't speak the language chances are they are not supposed to be here!
Lastly, Mr Garza said "I'm tired of of having the toughest jobs,and no insurance for my children"Well Mr Garza, I too am tired of having no insurance and or being under insured because my husband and I have to purchase our own menial coverage because good coverage is way to expensive! The insurance companies and hospitals are charging YOUR CARE BACK TO ME! AS FAR AS TOUGH JOBS IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING EXPLOITED BY HAVING A JOB THAT IS TOO TOUGH THEN GO HOME AND TAKE YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU!!!
SORRY! for the rant my fingers wouldnt stop ...SOOOO ANGRY!!!

GoDawgs wrote:

I can't get over the fact that he saved 75,000 in 5 years...is that tax free

They run "cash only" business, do you really believe they pay anything close to their fair share of taxes?

They were raised in a corrupt society and they simply bring that corruption here with them. American rules and laws are to be laughed at as far as they're concerned.