Thread: Immigrants March in LA Over Bush Plan

NOTE: They`re carrying US Flags with Posters in Spanish


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Thousands of people marched through downtown on Saturday, demanding a way for the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to become citizens and condemning President Bush's latest proposal.

Carrying signs saying "Amnesty Now!" and "Love Thy Neighbor, Don't Deport Him," about 15,000 people danced to Mexican ranchera music, chanted "Si, se puede!" or "It can be done!" and passed large American flags over the crowd.

Many were angry about a White House plan that would grant illegal immigrants work visas but require them to return home to apply for U.S. residency and pay a $10,000 fine.

"Charging that much, Bush is going to be even more expensive than the coyotes," said protester Armando Garcia, 50, referring to smugglers who transport people across the Mexican border.


Immigrant rights advocates say many of the area's illegal immigrants feel betrayed by President Bush, who they had long considered an ally. While illegal immigrants and advocates have long focused their ire at conservative Republicans and Congress, many had seen Bush as an advocate of immigration reform because he had repeatedly said he favors giving many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

The White House's draft plan, leaked last week, calls for a new "Z" visa that would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time.

Then to become legal permanent residents, illegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine.

The proposal has been sharply criticized by Hispanic advocacy groups, Democrats, the Roman Catholic Church and unions that have many immigrants in their ranks. They argue the cost of work permits and the green card application - which could total more than $20,000 - are prohibitive for low-wage earners.

"For my wife and I it would cost about $30,000," said Francisco Gomez, 41, who along with his wife is in the country illegally. "Multiply that by all the illegal immigrants here ... It's obvious Bush just wants to fund his Iraq war with our money."

The plan is far more conservative than the one passed by the Senate last year with bipartisan backing and support from President Bush. That plan would have allowed many of the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to stay in the United States, work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, pay small fines and back taxes and clear a background check.

Many Senate conservatives opposed that plan, and it failed to gain traction in the then Republican-controlled House, which at the end of 2005 passed the punitive immigration reform bill that angered immigrant communities and led to massive protests.

"Last year, we were fighting for legalization, and this year we are fighting for legalization and against all these raids," said Maria Lopez, 50, an illegal immigrant who works as a seamstress and sends $200 a month home to family members in Mexico.

"We have no way to come up with that much money, and Bush knows that," she said. "He is doing this on purpose so we don't ever become legal residents."


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ ... TE=DEFAULT

Immigrant rights advocates say many of the area's illegal immigrants feel betrayed by President Bush, who they had long considered an ally. While illegal immigrants and advocates have long focused their ire at conservative Republicans and Congress, many had seen Bush as an advocate of immigration reform because he had repeatedly said he favors giving many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

The last time I looked this was still America and as unfortunate as it may be Bush is still the president of America. If they want promises from a President then they need to return to Messyco and seek out Felipe Calderon and see if he can promise to fix their stinkhole of a country and make it inhabitable for them. We don't owe them jack.

If you noticed, they`re carrying American flags, with Posters in Spanish

Carrying signs saying "Amnesty Now!" and "Love Thy Neighbor, Don't Deport Him," about 15,000 people danced to Mexican ranchera music, chanted "Si, se puede!" or "It can be done!" and passed large American flags over the crowd.

If any of this was meant for the love of this country, Spanish signs, language, dancing, chanting or music would not have been involved.


I`m surprised L.A. Mayor Vigarillosa did join in.

If any of this was meant for the love of this country, Spanish signs, language, dancing, chanting or music would not have been involved.

You're right if they really loved this country they would be respectful and courteous to us by playing patriotic music, waving only American flags carring signs written in English, chanting in English and dancing American dances by their own free will(no coaching allowed).

Excuse me, but where was ICE???

Hey Oliver, nice to see you again, did you forget where you lived???

Of course their signs are in spanish other wise they would not be able to read them! remember they don't care if we can understand them.

What they are really worried about is losing there social benifits from Calif. everybody needs to read the cost of these people to the taxpayers of that state!! its a new post! don't read it if you have a weak stomach!

I wonder if the people in Calif are a little sick of these marches yet!

SOSADFORUS Wrote:

I wonder if the people in Calif are a little sick of these marches yet!

To speak mildly about it.

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

To speak mildly about it.

hahaha mkfarnam...that's a great pic...i wish i knew how to do that....

How touching, they are carrying American flags.....

NOT.

These are the same people that were carrying Mexican flags last year and obnoxious signs. They were told by their leaders to tone it down. Lull us into a false sense of understanding. It won't work. You can't put toothpaste back into a tube. None of us will ever forget them marching with the flags they really love, the red, white and green ones. No amount of public relations can undo what America saw last year. Nice try. You overplayed your hands and we are on to you.

I don't agree with selling our country for 20,000 dollars. My citizenship is priceless. My home is not for sale. Bush tried to serve two masters and ended up serving no one well and making no friends. Too bad. His loyalty should have never waivered from the American people who put him in office. Now he can please neither side. He should never have tried to. I hope this is a lesson well learned by our future presidents.