For good reason, many Americans are outraged by HR 4437, a House bill that will stiffen the penalties around illegal immigration. Over the weekend, protests began with over 500,000 people taking to the streets on Saturday. Online, teens wrote bulletin board posts on MySpace, encouraging their peers to speak out against the bill. On Monday, instigated through MySpace postings, thousands of teens across the country walked out of school and marched in protest. In Los Angeles alone, 36,000 students walked out and took to the streets. Throughout the country, thousands of teens walked out in protest.
I am in awe of what these students did. As a population, teens are silenced by society, ineligible to vote. And yet, they took to the streets to stand up for what they believe in. They used the digital public to rally each other, to spread information and encouragement even though most knew they faced disapproving schools. They stood in solidarity, speaking out for an oppressed population that resides in this country. How amazing is that?
What disappoints me the most is how school officials, law enforcement and the press handled the situation. We bitch about how young people are not politically engaged, but when they speak out for something that hegemonic society disapproves of, they are slapped down. Ah, the irony.
Public officials and school administrators spoke out against the students’ actions. Quoting these figures, the press gave the impression that administrators were concerned for the safety of their students. The discussions on MySpace painted a different picture as students discussed how schools would be docked $50 for each student who did not attend. In admonishing the students, administrators told the press that kids should return to school where they can have conversations about immigration in a “productive” way. The tone was quite condescending, arguing that a school day is more important than this political act. When LA Mayor Villaraigosa spoke to the young protesters, he said: “You’ve come today, you registered your commitment to your families, your opposition to the Sensenbrenner legislation, but it’s time to go back to school.” I am particularly bothered by Villaraigosa’s statements given his activist history and stance on immigrants.
In some towns, teens were charged with truancy for participating in the protest. Many students are faced with detentions and other punishments for their participation.
And people wonder why teens don’t engage politically…..
Of course, what is most depressing is how the press covered the story. The first coverage i heard was from NPR where they had soundbytes of youth stumbling, trying to explain why they were protesting. The coverage made them look stupid and naive and the commentator talked about how the youth were uninformed.
Now, not all of the protesting youth fully understood what they were speaking out against. Yet, most did. At the very least, they understood that something was gravely wrong about the bill. Yet, many students were quite informed. Articulate students spoke about how the bill represented a form of racist oppression that would permit racial profiling. Other spoke about the fundamental problems with the economic system, about how Mexicans are a critical labor force that is systematically oppressed. Other kids talked about how their parents came to this country to give them a chance. They crafted banners and posters, brought flags to signify the diversity of cultures that people came from, chanted about Cesar Chavez and human rights.
And still, the press talked about how the students were just looking for a day off school. Almost every story covered that aspect. There is no doubt that some students were looking for exactly that. Then again, there were plenty of adults protesting the war so that they didn’t have to go to work. Yet, the news never talked about truant adults.
By trivializing the youths’ participation, the press failed to capture the significance of this political act. How long has it been since so many students took a public stance? Has it been since Vietnam?
What is gained by belittling the students, punishing their act, and pooh-poohing their engagement with the public sphere? Sadly, this is yet-another act of ageist oppression meant to silence the youth when they stand for something that contradicts hegemonic values.
…..
One of the things that really bothers me about how this story played out concerns the issue of race and class. I wonder how a protest would be handled if privileged white kids all took to the streets backed by their parents. By listening to these teens speak out, it is clear that anti-Mexican sentiments are running high in this country.
The issue of illegal immigrants is raw with racism and injustice. On one hand, we are a land of immigrants (who decimated the native population). On the other, we have a fucked-up attitude about who has the right to be here. And that does not include people who come to do manual labor or people who speak a language that threatens English dominance.
To complicate matters, a huge portion of the economy of the southwest and California depends on illegal immigrants. Who picks the strawberries that you eat? Who works in the meat factories? Who cleans the toilets? How often do officials look the other way during harvest only to violently deport the immigrants once they are no longer needed? I often hear people bitch about how illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans and use up our precious tax money. Of course, these people fail to recognize that most Americans refuse to do the jobs that illegal immigrants do and that this population deserves some dignity and access to resources for what they contribute to this society.
I’m quite curious what will happen to privileged society if all illegal immigrants are deported. Will there be a food shortage? How much will the cost of everything rise?
Unfortunately, i doubt that this bill will do anything to help the people who are the backbone of American manual labor. I doubt it will improve labor conditions and it certainly won’t improve race relations. This is quite unfortunate, because i definitely don’t think that the current approach to immigrants is just. Where is Cesar Chavez when you need him?
………
Update: NPR has a great short piece on the issue of students walking out.
It’s actually really good to hear the principal in this segment talk about her conflicted feelings – she makes it very clear that she needs to keep the students in school for the money (Fresno loses $30 a day for each absent student). What adminstrators are offering students as an alternative (write letters to your representatives) is not nearly as empowering as walking out. IMHO, the students aren’t stupid – they know that walking out of school will get the press attention and make the issue far more visible than writing letters. They also know that doing it on a school day instead of on a weekend will make it very clear that youth care and that they aren’t just there because of their parents. They were written out of the stories of Saturday’s protests (even though they were very present). By making their own, they are saying loud and clear that this isn’t acceptable to the younger generation.
gosh im so happy 2 be a mexican and c how my race is standing up 4 dem selfs…..viva mexicanos!
HR 4437 WILL HELP THE US PEOPLE FIGHT THE CRIME OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. PEOPLE NEED TO TREAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS A CRIME. hR 4437 IS WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS.
David:
Just FYI. I’m the one posting against illegal immigration, not for it.
Mike Arnold
MIKE ARNOLD and MIGUEL go back to school. You guys are only contradicting yourselves, and it’s rather embarressing to our culture. Your showing nothing, but ignorance.
DAVID find yourself somene to soften your heart. One thing is to make some good political points, and another is to offend people with your sarcasm.
BABYKILLA….. no comment.
Black, Brown, Red, White, or Yellow.. we are ONE LOVE people…don’t forget that.
zaira ilegal immagrants DO pay taxes you dont know shit so shut yo mouth and stay in yo little fucked up world cuz or 1 we aint livin off of yo fucking fat azz parents money and 2 you a bitch we work our fucking azzes off so that we can support our families we do the jobs that you fucking gringos say are to hard bitch talk what ya know not lies and unless you wanna get fucked up i advice u keep yo mouth shut and kat i pray to the lord that you fucking burn in hell yall bitches need to FUCK OFF and watch yo backs and one more thing kat why you got yo fucking nose up other peoples business
hey ilegal immigrants are breaking the law…..they can break the law and it is okay, but whne americans break the law it is wrong. they dont want to give american felons amesty if they come to our country they need to respect our laws.. they dont respect our laws…..they think they can break the law and get rewarded. this is not mexican against white it is americans citizens againts those who are not…viva estado unidos…. damn insted of protesting you need to address the problems that are destroying your race. ilegal immigration is not the problem you need to protest. you need to stop the drug abuse and gangs that are robbing your race of the honnor and respect it deserves. i am the third generation of my family to be born in the us and feel hr 4437 is what needs to be done. this is our home.. we need to defend it…viva estado unidos hey insted of flying the mexican flag..fly the american flag.. this is america aint it. viva estado unidos hey do you think ceaser chavez would support ilegal aliens once again viva estado unidos
about this bill i think that this bill is stupid because even though it was wrong for them to sneek into this country whats is so wrong with wanting to live a new and better life without getting hassled by america whats wrong with wanting to have money and decent food to eat and good cloths on their back and just wanting to be happy and having a nice house to live nothing everybody want that for themself am i wrong if you have something to say and you want to say it personally to me go to my myspace.
I aggree with Fabiola. Although my first language was Spanish, I was speaking fluent English by the time I was in school. If you type a 120+ word paragraph without a period, while mis-spelling every other word, then you shouldn’t be protesting. Or posting here for that matter. You should be spending your time learning English,(it’s our language).
Brittany, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to live here. Everyone in the world should have the same amount of freedom and prosperity as we do here in the U.S. The debate is who gets to decide who lives here, foreigners or Americans? I personally think each country has a right to decide how to handle its own immigration. Should we be allowed to tell Mexico, Australia, China, etc… who WILL be immigrating to their country, whether they like it or not?
There’s a process that people must go through to come to the U.S. Are you saying that everyone in the world has a set of rules that they must abide by to become a U.S. citizen, but Mexicans entering illegally are exempt from these laws? Not really fair to legal immigrants who respect our laws, is it?
Christian(and other racist Mexicans posting here), what the hell is wrong with Mexico? Why doesn’t anyone want to live there? Why is it considered such a shithole? I ask because you are living in a country you hold in such contempt, and with Mexico no more than 2000 miles away from you, you choose to live here.
What can Mexico do to climb out of its current situation? Should ALL Mexicans move to the U.S.? Would that solve Mexicos problems? Has Mexico improved ever since it’s citizens have been rushing to get out? Has Vicente Fox encouraged his citizens to leave? Has he encouraged them to stay?
Awaiting your answers.
Ok guys, the name of the person writing the comment is AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COMMENT, not the top. Geez. I’m the articulate guy against illegal immigration, not one of the foul mouthed people for it. Those are the people who can’t argue with facts so the try to intimidate you and curse you.
hi, my name is cindy, im an immigrant from peru n i think im gonna die like one. probably my opinion wont count for you guys because as we all know this decision depends of only one person on this entire country. things are differents on each generation, some of us were capable to learn even more than one language which make us superior and even more easy to comunicates with different cultures. be called an immigrnats means be called criminal, we are violating a country’s laws and refusing to go back to our original country. but have u ever ask urself why do people immigrate from their country? i keep asking me this every single night…i came to the united states when i was 16 yrs old..i left behind all my future next the people who really care about me , my family, to be honest with you i didnt like the idea of learning another language and learn so many different cultures…i just realized that this is kind of cool..i think that’s why people in this country are so smart… they gotta learn more every single day of their entire lifes.
i immigrated to this country because my country is completly out of control, we need someone who really cares about the country and not about its advantages of being part of the political things.
our future generations have no support by anybody..kids gotta work since they learned how to cry…things are gettin worst day by day…i came here to learn as much as possible you let me do…
i read all your comments and im totally agree with those people who said that they can do the same work as immigrants do..but let me tell you something… people who work hard only for $3 per hpur or even less… make get products even cheaper…thats why we can get potates for $1 instead of payin $5 for the same potatoes…
immigrats dont only reffers to hispanic people.. we are talking about indians, french, italians, germans, japanese, irish, etc… we are talkin about all kind of cultures, which some of us are mixed up with…
please… don’t think that the only think we want from your country is steal your money… many of our immigrant population pay their own taxes as i do it and as all the people i kno do it too…we pay the same prices as you do it… we don’t get free medical assistant unless u are in high school almost dying..we don’t get free food as you guys say, because when we pay our rent or house bills we are payin for all those “benefits” that your country offer to our children…matter fact right after ur childhood you are completly unprotected from any kind of institution…
we are only skin for your permission to ake all things right and legal, the increasin of your population will benefits you with the alliances with other nations and also your economic status…think about as much we work as much we gotta spend and pay you guys..
also how better will the next american generation will be?? n how good will they represent your own country???
we just need your help…you will never know how hard is for us to survive in our own country..im only 18 years old and my life is stuck jus for a simple name…immigrant
thnx for take your time to read this
have a good night
If Schools dont want to lose money they should encourage that the bill should be denied.How do teachers want students to learn when they are baing affected by such law. I too am Hispanic but I too am affected by this action which is not the best thing to do. latinos are our Future. without mexicans who is going to do the dirty work of landscaping, Concrete, factory working, No ONE.. So I ask you Do you think it is the right thing to do
I think we might be confusing “immigration/immigrant” with “illegal immigration/immigrant”. NO ONE thinks immigrants are criminals.
Americans are NOT against immigration, but against an unchecked immigration policy. Honestly, I don’t see how anyone can disagree with that.
Am I understanding that what some here are proposing, is to allow ANYONE who wants to enter this country? Is there a country on this planet with this type of an “open-borders” policy?
i believe ,from what i’m hearing/reading in the media,that most mexicans(from mexico) are indeed in favor of a completely open border .they’re not informed of how the american system works.basically they want to live here under and withing their terms and laws that they believe should treat them with partiality as a race.apparantly the hispanics that are out there protesting,want to be treated with the same partiality that in time,was given to the black race. and at the risk of sounding racist(which i’m not)we can all see just what resulted from that. i’m for a strongly enforced border and swift arrest and returned alien,dare he cross.and if they want to be violent in crossing illegally then they desrve exactly what’s dealt!
i can’t think of any other country that would let people invade their country’s border at will without that country initiating force to disable the invader!if mexico wants into the u.s. then they need to do it legally and learn to obey OUR laws,not expect us to change our laws to their satisfaction and comfortability!! in fact…it seems as though that describes most of the protestors. we have an awful lot of school buses in this country and it probably wouldn’t take much to get enough drivers(voluntarily)to drive the protestors on may 1st straight to the border so they can go home. to stay! what i believe will happen is that for as many that don’t show up at work on may 1st(without notifying their place of work before hand,that they’ll not be in)..almost that many will (hopefully)lose their jobs.and i hate to break to the no shows,but there ARE american’s that need and will replace those positions that were willingly given up by those no shows!!it’s going to be fun to see the backlash occur. all because of a bunch of macho acting/thinking illegal aliens.
Yea Nobody saying immigrants are criminals but they treating them like one..I was born here but i come from hispanic backgrounds..my parents as well born here and just by watching the news ery day and hearing bout them it hurts even tho you aint one.Yea and ppl wondered why are they here?Is so many reasons why alot of them are here,most of them are here because of a better job and life…ppl don look at reasons so many kids struggle every day in other countries for food and for a home..ppl immigrants are here for a better place and jobs because in their countries are not that opportunities.We dont come to take over we come here for a better life.Each immigrant is treated as a criminal and call names everyday..but they keep looking ahead..and working hard..have you ever seen yo self in there place?na and you dont want to be..is not such a thing as been treated and humiliated as a criminal everyday jus for not giving them permission to be here legaly!..And how do they suppose to obey the laws when you dont give them they equal treatment.Alot of you might desagree with me but america would be nothing without immigrants!.
I think immigrants should be here legaly..because they hard working ppl i don undersand why is it such a big deal..i really think that if they don pass the law this country will…umg lets put it this way..it would really bad for all yaw who dont want immigrants here..if yaw dont want them here get over it!!because if this law is not approve..you still will see them here everyday..Dont be like that because like the hero Rosa Parks got here freedom and equal treatment after all the time the will get it!!!!!one day but they will
I think immigrants should be here legaly..because they hard working ppl i don undersand why is it such a big deal..i really think that if they don pass the law this country will…umg lets put it this way..it would really bad for all yaw who dont want immigrants here..if yaw dont want them here get over it!!because if this law is not approve..you still will see them here everyday..Dont be like that because like the hero Rosa Parks got here freedom and equal treatment after all the time the will get it!!!!!one day but they will
As all of you know the country is once again on the subject of illegal immagrants and it seems that every so often we choose to fight back on the immagration problem we have in this country.
My parents came to this country from Guatemala and Mexico over 33 years ago. They came with the idea that there was something better out there for them and they were going to find it. They didnt come with intentions of meeting someone from the opposite sex , falling in love and having a children. They were hard working people in their respected countrys and were looking to improve their lives, and thats it. They both were looking for what unfortunately their own countrys could not offer them. My parents are now well over 55 and still work as hard as they did when they arrived in this country when they were 25 and 26 years old. They didnt come to take anything away from anyone, or intentionally cause problems for anyone. My parents are now American citizens and have a child that is as American as anyone else. I love this country and I thank god that I was born in this country. Not take anything away from Mexico and other Latin countrys but I am happy to be an American. Although when im asked what nationality I am I sometimes say im Guatemalan, American, or Mexican, American, or both Mexican, Guatemala, American. I do that because I will not forget where my family came from and what they had to do. This whole Immagration problem does not physicaly affect me since my parents are Amrecian Citizens, but it hurts to see that people just like them are trying to do the samething they did and achieve the same goals they did. It’s 30 years later and those countrys are still not offering enough to make those people stay in their own countrys. Maybe instead of bombing other countrys and killing our own during wars we should look upon our own wars in our own country. Like poverty (thanks angie) drugs, violence and helping countrys that dont have the resources to help each other to keep their own people in their own country. Im sure if my parents were well off or at least comfortable in their own country’s and being paid an honest wage for an honest days hard work they would have never came to this country. These people we call alliens would rather stay in their own country and live with their familys and not have to go to someone else’s land and change their way of life but they do it because they have to. It’s true we have an immagration problem in this country, I will not deny the facts. I also think that were going about it the wrong way to fix this problem and my arguement is with idiots that say that immagrants are ruining this country, and that immagrants are taking all the jobs, and their costing us money to have them here. To the people that say this, i say this….this country will answer to some of your demands but not all and not the ones you want the most, because some of us have not forgoten that the country you call yours was not always yours and if the reall land lords of this country would have demanded the same things you are demanding now you wouldnt be here and I wouldnt be here and we wouldnt be having this issue. someone gave you a chance but your not willing to give someone else a chance. what does that make you? I know what it makes you, it makes you un american. An american to me is a good person, a person that does not turn his or her back on someone in need, an american has the luxury to say that he or she lives in the best country in the world and can change this world for the best….thats what an american is….So with that off of my chest i say to my people,
Que siga la marcha, I no se dejen!
Will Lozano, it seems the only reason you’re fighting for illegal immigrants is because they’re “your people”, as you say. Then you accuse as “un-american”, those of us who put America first over some ethnic or foreign national allegiance. Is there a reason(other than “your people” want to cross it) why the U.S. should be the only country in the world with absolutely no control of it’s borders?
Also, can you point out what “idiot” said that “immigrants are ruining this country”? That sounds made up(I only hear that from pro-illegals).
One last thing, I’m not familiar with the “I” in “I no se dejen!”. Was that a typo? Just curious.
Well, it took me a while to read all the articles and I must say Im really disappointed. First of all, all the child gangbangers…shut up estupido! You’re making anyone remotely Mexican look bad! I am twenty years old and have been working ever since I was 13 (I know its not legal, but I was raised to work hard). I became a legal citizen at age 15, after being in this country since I was 3 years old. I am one of very few lucky immigrants. Someone wrote that illegal immigrants have a lower tuition? Where do you get your facts from? BC I have NEVER heard of this, and believe me I know alot of illegal college students who are paying full, non-resident tuition (which is VERY expensive) here in California. Many say that immigrants don’t pay taxes? Im sure there are cases of that being true, but believe me, about 70-80% of illegal workers that I know, pay taxes and they are uneligable for “free healthcare” or any other government service. I know there is free healthcare for CHILDREN, no matter of their citizen status, but there is no such service for adults. And I believe that is right. Why should a three year old child suffer for their parent’s decisions?
Another argument that I am hearing alot is the whole “cutting in line” theory. I have a SISTER who is the only illegal immigrant left in my family. She has been here for 18 years, and makes more than 80k a year. She has achieved more than the average american citizen. She’s NEVER recieved free healthcare, NEVER been on disability, NEVER been on welfare and NEVER been on unemployment. Is this the kind of people you want to keep out of the US? When there are THOUSANDS of CITIZENS DRAINING the government on wealfare, and other bullshit programs? (I know some are wondering how she’s able to work, and before you jump to any conclusions know that she has her OWN ssn. 18 years ago, ANYONE could get an ssn, thus she has her own). My point is, how is it that my sister, who is doing VERY well, hasn’t been able to achieve legal status? She’s been on the waiting list for about 10 years already. Most immigrants that achieve legal status the ‘RIGHT’ way are fortunate enough to have a short waiting period. My sister has waited 10 YEARS and about a year ago, INS told my father that she has about 10 more years to wait before she can become a permanent resident. I am SO SURE! that impovrished Mexicans are willing to starve for 20 fucking years just so that they don’t cut in front of this damn “line”. Right, buddy thats being real realistic! These waiting lists differ from country to country so Canada’s waiting list is FAAAR shorter than Mexico’s or any other impovrished country.
I know there are a lot of americans who don’t see this bill as racist. But I truly see it differenlty. I do not believe that the gov wants to rid themselves of cheap labor. If anyone has taken sociology or econ clases they’ll know that cheap labor is what keeps this economy working the way it does. I hear people bitch and moan about how illegal immirgrants parade themselves on certain streets waiting to get picked up by people looking for cheap labor. They bitch about how the police never does anything, blah blah blah. The gov. knows whos illegal and who’s not, they just don’t want to rid themselves of cheap labor. Plain and simple, its a hard pill to swallow, but its true. The gov. WANTS cheap labor but they dont want illegal immigrants to have a voice/and or say in their working circumstances. The government wants all the benefits but not the consequenses. This bill gives them just that. By creating a retroactive bill that censors illegals, preventing them from having ANY sort of protection (ie legal advise, medical attention) the government has everything to gain and nothing to lose. A lot of people think that this bill will prevent companies from being able to hire illegal workers but that is not the case. As explained to me from a very prestigous lawyer here in Sacramento, HR4437 doesn’t apply to companies, they would have their own seperate regulations. So in reality this bill does not prevent companies from employing cheap illegal labor, it just prevents immigrants from getting protection against inhuman labor practices. It was explained to me that if this bill pases an illegal worker cannot even approach a lawyer seeking their legal advise of lets say sexual harassament, rape, the use of harmful chemicals with no protection, and a myriad of other problems. When you take away the right to speak out against inhumane practices from a cheap labor force, what you have done is created slavery, plain and simple. What’s next prison camps? It seems VERY racist since about 60% of all illegal immigrants are latino, but ultimately it’s just hate and ignorance and nothing to do with race. I do not believe in free lunches so I do believe that regulations NEED to be put in place, HOWEVER I think this bill is highly flawed. It is already a crime to be here illegally, thats why its called “illegal immigration”. So really all this bill is doing is making it illegal to be associated with anyone who is undocumented. That’s all its doing. I live in California where 3 felonies gives you 25 to life. I know MANY illegal immigrants so does this mean that since I never deported any of them I get a felony for each person I didn’t deport? And where does that leave me in the great state of California? According to California laws, I would be sentenced to life in prison for just knowing illegal workers without deporting them. I have never stolen, killed, or sold drugs, why would I, a college educated young lady who’s worked most of her life, be thrown in jail with murderers? It doesnt seem right to me. Like I said, I believe regulations HAVE to be made, but HR 4437 is too flawed to be the answer.
I still have much to say but I’ll end it at this:
I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN CAPABLE OF VOTING AND I WILL VOTE. MANY THINK THAT ALL THESE PROTESTERS ALL ILLEGAL. YOU ARE WRONG. I KNOW MANY PROTESTERS WHO ARE CITIZENS AND WHO ARE PLANNING TO VOTE AGAINST ALL INHUMANE IMMIGRATION LAWS. PEOPLE BITCH ABOUT IMMIGRATION. BITCH AT THE GOVERNMENT’S LACK OF REGULATION OF ITS LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE (IE DEPORTATION). BE ANGRY AT THEM FOR TURNING A BLIND EYE. DONT HATE, OR BE ANGRY AT THE IMMIGRANTS WHO COME TO THIS COUNTRY LOOKING TO LEAVE POVERTY IN SEARCH OF ACHIEVEING MIDDLE CLASS STANDARDS. MOST IMMIGRANTS MEAN WELL, NOT ALL AS NO RACE, OR NATIONAILTY IS PERFECT. DONT HATE THEM FOR TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOUR GRANPARENTS DID WHEN THEY CAME FROM EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AUSTRAILA OR WHEREVER.
One last thing, I’m not familiar with the “I” in “I no se dejen!”. Was that a typo? Just curious.
MKC, I think Will was using computer slang, for example bc = because. In this case, I = Ay. It’s not called spanglish for nothing.
YEA I’M A BEANER! SO WHAT! RIGHT NOW THE WHITE MAN IS ALL SHITTIN BRICKS CUZ HE MAD SCARED OF US!
I’m in a situation. I’m 17…still on that frikin waiting list. My parents brought me here when i was 8 months old…i was a baby! Now i’m in a critical time of my life…i’m ateenager with no papers and in NEED of a license. FUCK THE GOVERNMENT labeling me as a threat. THEY CAN AN KISS MY NUTZ!!!
No one is scared Pedro. In fact, judging by poll numbers, dumb people like you seem to invigorate the anti-ILLEGAL immigrant crowd.
Perhaps it is Pedro who is scared of being deported and made to actually obey our laws upon entry. You know, the way millions upon millions of immigrants respectfully obey our laws. You aren’t superior to the legal immigrants. You don’t deserve special treatment(regardless of your tiny IQ).
Here’s a lesson in manners, Pedro. When you’re a guest in someones home, use words like “please” and “thank you” not threats and insults. Americans are more receptive to the former.
Have a safe trip back.
I think that it was so cool to get out and speak our minds. I went to school because my parents think that since I ‘m a legal I shouldn’t even get involved but I disagree. I’ll support as much as I can. Bbut I did wear my white shirt.
its is true that if it was white people they would certanly listen……… we were having this discussion in class not to long ago and we were talking about this some law many said that we were just taking their jobs when many people wanted them so i spoke out and told them that many people are not willing to take the jobs the immigrants take because the salary is to low or they are just lazy…….. then an african american spoke out and said that she thinks what were doing is stupid i asked her if she would do the same thing if this was about her race and she couldnt find anything to say….. i also believe that t is stupid how they bitch about how we dont care enough about political stuff and when we finally have something to say they make us be stop and shut up……… you make a very good point thank you for this
Hey MKC…shut your racist $$@ up! People such as Will Lozano and Pedro are the reason immigrants (don’t matter if legal or whatever) are being noticed. They are truly passionate about what they are doing and I couldn’t agree with them more. I too say “Que siga la marcha, I no se dejen”. It’s sad that asinine and gluttonous people such as yourself don’t realize that your ancestors were in a similar situation a long time ago. Conditions in their home countries were bad and needed to find a new way of life. They said “Hey the United States offers great new opportunities for us and our children, let’s go there”. Unfortunaly, their lucky children are now tryin to stop other people from going for that better life that they desire.
Mira, Chingon, I don’t think you’re going to get your point across by attacking people. As a matter of fact you should be more like the protesters and get your point across PEACEFULLY. I was so proud of these marches because there wasn’t a single case of police confrontation. Millons of people got together to RESPECTFULLY and PEACEFULLY speak out against HR4437, you should try doing the same.
I’m sorry Mck, but since when do people go to other people’s house, and suddenly make rules and regulations for others to follow? Because as far as I know this was never your house to begin with.. if you know what i mean.. I know u do..
I believe that HR4437 should be approved. Yes, it is true that our ancestors were immigrants from other countries, however, at that time we were not “The United States of America”. We were simply “The New World”. There were no rules and regulations back then. Today there is a process that one must undergo to become an American citizen. By choosing to enter our country illegally, these immigrants are breaking the law. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am NOT against immigrants coming to the U.S. in the pursuit of a better way of life. I am however, against immigrants entering our country illegally. One thing that I haven’t seen mentioned is the fact that by leaving our borders “open” we are posing a huge threat to our national security. Who knows how easy it would be for a terrorist to enter our country from Mexico?
i think that the law should not be past i think they should leave them alone and let them have there rights to.
Hey, El Mero Chingon, one can guess the followers of Pol Pot were also passionate about what they were doing. That didn’t make them right.
It might be asinine of YOU to assume of what I am or am not, aware of. You see, I can simply ask my grandparents, in Spanish, exactly what it was like to leave everything they knew and start all over again in a foreign land (kicking open the doors and making demands wasn’t one of their answers). Some of their fondest memories were how they were welcomed into this country. This generosity by AMERICANS, is what causes my grandmother’s eyes to swell with tears when she relates these stories to me. So I do empathize with EVERYONE in the WORLD(not just Mexico) who would like a better life, even the illegals. That is why you can’t find even ONE anti-immigrant post made by me, or anybody here. What I don’t do is give people like you any credence when you try and silence or intimidate opposition(Americans) by calling them “racist”.
Furthermore, shouldn’t it be Mexico that actually does something for it’s people instead of callously exporting them to the north. Are the remaining 90+ million Mexicans eventually going to want to cross also? I’m sure there are 500 million Chinese who would prefer a better life here. Why stop them? What about Eastern Europeans, Sudanese, etc…? If you plan on allowing illegal entry, where does it end? With the world packed neatly into ONE country? Where’s the outrage for reform in Mexico? Where are the people condemning it’s government? Where are the massive protests denouncing Vicente? Wouldn’t this be a step towards progress for Mexicans?
Fabiola, the U.S. doesn’t have a right to have laws? Please explain.
Using your logic, anyone can go to Mexico and ignore all of it’s laws, because hey, what right does Mexico have making “rules and regulations” in “other people’s houses”.
Still, Mexico has tough immigration laws. I guess it’s to control it’s southern border from unwanted illegal immigrants. Go figure.
These poor “Illegal” immigrants do face some extreme hardships in trying to cross(by land/sea)over here. They work these crappy jobs for low wages. The problem, however, is that they are doing it to themselves by being here illegally. It’s a double edge sword because by not going through the proper channels, they are reducing themselves to this treatment because other people know they can exploit them since they have no “civil” rights. It would be nice if the world cared about everyone, respected everyone as a human being, but that’s not the case nor it never will be.
MKC brought up a very good point (Not to say that all illegals are only Mexican, however, it is a fact that there is a large amount are coming from there), What is the Mexican government doing for it’s people?? Could it be that they don’t care about their people and are quite happy transferring their problems somewhere else?? If things are so bad over there were people are risking so much, why aren’t they proactive in their country to make things better??
The other fact that they are just trying to make a living is a noble cause. They want what everyone wants, to live a decent life and provide a better life for their children. Once again though, the problem is that they are doing it “illegally” by stealing, forging,(Identify Theft, Fake SS#, etc…) and other unlawful acts to do so. Is it okay to do “Illegal” acts so long as its for a noble cause? When people steal from you, are you happy and reward them?? Do the ends justify the means??
Just as a side note. For the past 5 years I have volunteered in TaxAid and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)at the local communities where I live (San Francisco/Mission). We provided free income tax preparation for the low wage income earners and seniors. I have seen and prepared MANY tax returns for illegal people (Since many of them heard that they are going to get money back from the government) and have noticed a few things: 1) They usually claim the maximum amount of exemptions to not get taxed on their income 2) They obviously don’t make a lot of money. So what is my point? Those people who say they pay taxes is INcorrect. For the ones who don’t get paid cash/under the table, they rarely ever pay taxes on their income. If they don’t earn a lot of money or send money back to their home country, how is a sales tax an effective way for them to pay taxes?? The sales tax that they pay definitely doesn’t pay the costs of them being here.
As for Sara’s post. Using your sister isn’t a good example because she is only one of the +11 million people. It’s like me stating that since I don’t like something or take something, other people aren’t doing it. Statistics don’t lie when they show the increase in health care costs and other support services illegal people are taking.
I don’t think that deporting all those millions of people is a solution either. Having the guest worker program would be my only solution if it can enforced. The problem is who is to say that it would actually work. After their time is up, does anyone really think that they will just pack up their things and go back to their country??? There are many people who come over with other visas who overstay. With a Guest worker program, it would be easier to get in and stick around.
I truly sympathize with a lot of the illegal people here in terms of the hardship and services they provide. I have worked with and have made many of friends that were illegal immigrants in my lifetime, however, I don’t agree that they should be allowed a free pass to become a citizen. I don’t agree with everything in the the bill, but there are many more people who went through their own hardships to go through the process the legal way. It would be insulting to all of those people who did it the right way (Which includes my family). Granting citizenships for people who intentionally broke the law isn’t right and would only increase that type of behavior since there are no consequences for their actions. Don’t you think that people should be accountable for their actions? While I agree that the U.S visa system isn’t what most people would call fair(insert sarcasm), that doesn’t give a person the right to break the law because it doesn’t suit them.
As for the Mexican racists that posted here, it saddens me to see that you make us other Mexicans look bad with your ignorance and your stupidity. And you wonder why other people look down on us??
For those who haven’t read the bill, Google: Wiki HR4437 for complete details.
End Rant 1.1
Umm…I live confortably and I’m not missing anything in the world. I’m not a spoiled brat…but I get what I want. It was all thanks to my great great grandfather. He came from Ireland. He struggled a bit at first, but with a little bit of effort, he had his own business and became very successful. His children that came after him followed his footsteps and also had successful careers. In my family we have doctors, professors,lawyers, you name it. I have a friend whose grandfather was in a similar situatiion. They’re Mexican. Mexican people have that desire to live a better life. All immigrants do. I agree with them wanting to have a better life. I want them to be like my great great grandfather and my friend’s grandfather and be successful in this country and live like me and my other friends do. Success can happen to anybody.
Waz up daw, Baby killas back in the house. Did you miss me? What am I saying ofcorse u did daw. But any ways enogh with the hellos lets get down to bisnes, who should I start with, esperate I know I’ll start with you mkc a.k.a. ass face. u’r a real bitch u know that. what do you do take classes to be like that or something. But yet even if u’r a bitch I agree with u, yup I do. Cuz yeah I i might b an idiot, but guess what compeared to u I’m another albert instine(I dont know if that’s how it’s speled but I realy dont give a fuck) and yeah I might go 2 prison but not till my voic is heard and if yall dont listen then well I’ll have 2 kepp on talking behind the bars wont I. And another thing MEXICO IS NOT A SHITWHOLE, and yeah I’m liveing in this dumb country but not because I want to but because i have to.
And to any other dumb ass that agrees with him then u 2 can go to hell
And 4 the people that agree with me thank u very much, I love u 2. I’d give u an autograph but 2 things stop me 4’m doing that 1 i dont know how 2 give it 2 u and 2 i don’t have an autograph so just scru it.
got 2 go now but first can
any one hook me up with some
weed cuz like I said before
WEED IS A NEED
skipping school is illeagal in this country. the parents of all the stdents should have signed them out and supported there kids in a legal matter! the government may be wrong on this matter. if they are is the only way to make a point is to break the law. does two wrongs make one right
Baby Killa I bet you’re some antimmigration racist asshole pretending to be Latino because there is no latino in the world that is as ignorant as you portray yourself to be. And a word of advice, your voice is never going to be heard if all you are saying is bullshit.
Sara what the fuck is up with u? Hell no I’m not a antimmigration racist asshole.Bitch u must b on weed cuz I’m so not white, I’m 100% latina and your wrong cuz thier is a shit loud of latinos that I chill with. FIRST DEAD THAN B WHITE,I’M 100% latina 100% DAW 100%YOU HEAR THAT 100%. I bet that u’r the antimmigration racist asshole that acts latino pretending 2 b latino,who would b c’n with u. U’R GAY,PUTA TARADA GUEY TU NO VALES MADRE AND U REALY HAVE 2 LAY OF THE WEED,THAT WAY U’LL STOP SAYING SHIT. Que no ves guiey que soy 100% chilanga,perate(esperate, c i can write it right)guey ya c lo que pasa estas celosa d que no eres chillanga. I’m not makeing it up I’m 4’m Atizapan de Zaragosa,a place in the mera Ciudad de Mexico. c krazy hoe c, I’m 4 real 4 real(in gangsta acsent) Ill b back soon 2 talk some more and suport my latinos.
p.s. I got some news 4 all of ya. Lil’ Choka is in prison 4 drug dealing and haveing a gun and pointing it at an oficer. Don’t mater much she was always sort of stupid but us gangstas 4’m Sangre Latina are ganna bust her out so I got 2 dive lke 6 hours to get 2 the place were they transfered her 2. But shh,dont say athing, its a secret.thats what Shorty said. (Shorty in a gangsta actsent).So thats it. now I realy got 2 go I still love ya’ll NOT U sara.
WHEN I PUT LAY OF THE WEED,THAT WAY U’LL NEVER STOP SAYING SHIT IN MY LAST POSTED CRAP WHAT I MENT WAS “LAY OF THE WEED,THAT WAY U’LL STOP SAYING SHIT OH AND MY VOICE WILL B HEARD CUZ I DONTJUST SAY BULL SHIT AND SARA UR LUKY I DONTKNOW WHO URSISTA IS CUZ OTHR WAIS ID MAKE AN EXEPTION AND CALL LA MIGRA ON HER 4 BEING A BITCH PERATE NO I WOUNT CUZ THATS NOT HOW I GO HEY HOMEIS I GOT 2 TELL U THAT AFTER JUNE 11TH U WOUNTHERE 4M ME 4 A YEAR CUZ SOME SHIT IS GOING DOWN DAW DOWN AND I’LL B RUNING 2 MEXICO 2 HIDE 4’M THE POLICE, GOOD NEWS RIGHT RACIST HOES AQND ANY 1 THAT DONT LIKE WAT I SAY.(WHAT,C I CAN SPELL THAT RIGHT 2 IM SO HAPPY THAT I’M A BIG GIRL NOW.
P.S. HERE IS SOME THING 4 U THAT DONT KNOW IT:
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Ciña oh patria!
tus sienes
de oliva
De la Paz el arcángel divino,
Que en el cielo tu eterno destino
Por el dedo de Dios se escribió.
Más si osare un extraño enemigo
Profanar con su planta tu suelo,
Piensa, oh patria querida ,que el cielo
Un soldado en cada hijo te dio.
Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intente
De la patria manchar los blasones!
Guerra, guerra! Los patrios pendones
En las olas de sangre empapad.
Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el valle
Los cañones horrísonos truenen
Y los ecos sonoros resuenen
Con las voces de
Unión!
Libertad!
Antes, patria,
que inermes tus hijos
Bajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen,
Tus campiñas con sangre se rieguen,
Sobre sangre se estampe su pie.
Y tus templos, palacios y torres
Se derrumben con hórrido estruendo,
Y sus ruinas existan diciendo:
De mil héroes
la patria aquí fue.
Coro
Patria! patria!
Tus hijos te juran
Exhalar en tus aras su aliento,
Si el clarín con su bélico acento
Los convoca
a lidiar con valor.
Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva!
Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!
Un laurel para ti de victoria!
Un sepulcro para ellos de honor!
DO U KNOW WHAT IT IS? NO. UR RETARDED, ES EL IMNO NACIONAL MEXICANO
WHEN I PUT LAY OF THE WEED,THAT WAY U’LL NEVER STOP SAYING SHIT IN MY LAST POSTED CRAP WHAT I MENT WAS “LAY OF THE WEED,THAT WAY U’LL STOP SAYING SHIT OH AND MY VOICE WILL B HEARD CUZ I DONTJUST SAY BULL SHIT AND SARA UR LUKY I DONTKNOW WHO URSISTA IS CUZ OTHR WAIS ID MAKE AN EXEPTION AND CALL LA MIGRA ON HER 4 BEING A BITCH PERATE NO I WOUNT CUZ THATS NOT HOW I GO HEY HOMEIS I GOT 2 TELL U THAT AFTER JUNE 11TH U WOUNTHERE 4M ME 4 A YEAR CUZ SOME SHIT IS GOING DOWN DAW DOWN AND I’LL B RUNING 2 MEXICO 2 HIDE 4’M THE POLICE, GOOD NEWS RIGHT RACIST HOES AQND ANY 1 THAT DONT LIKE WAT I SAY.(WHAT,C I CAN SPELL THAT RIGHT 2 IM SO HAPPY THAT I’M A BIG GIRL NOW.
P.S. HERE IS SOME THING 4 U THAT DONT KNOW IT:
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el brid
Yo wat it iz ho
who cares what it is
thats why the bill is being PASSED
The bottom line is that these people made a mockery of the rule of law in our nation and are an insult to every single immigrant who went through the lengthy process of becoming an American citizen the legal way. The illegitimate criminals deserve to be tossed to the curb and back to Mexico, China, Guatemala, Honorduras, or wherever they came from.
Of course, I’m not really a fan of deporting these people (except whenever they commit a crime, including wrecking a car without insurance). I’m more a fan of slamming employers with huge fines for hiring them. Cut off the jobs, and they’ll go back.
I’m tired of the race card on this matter, as well. It’s pathetic. The most racist calls are coming from the protesters and La Raza and their pathetic bleating calls of racism (while they belch out garbage about Gringoes and Rednecks). Americans aren’t complaining about the race of the people coming: they’re complaining about their legality and their refusal to integrate into American society.
If these brats want to protest, do it after school. They’re only in session until 3:00 or so, anyway. They get a break when the rest of the world has to work much longer hours.
Finally, supporters of illegals are just allowing the corrupt, racist government in charge of Mexico to continue, as always. Mexico is the wealthiest nation in Latin America, yet somehow it’s inundated by the poor. Why? Because the Spanish elite (that’s what they call them) rule over the uneducated and impoverished Mestizoes (who come to our nation).
Make Mexico deal with its own problems. Heaven knows they enforce their southern border.
Anyone BREAKING AND SNEAKING PAST a recognized border of a country is not ‘immigrating’, they are INVADING. These are NOT IMMIGRANTS, they are ILLEGAL INVADERS. Wake the hell up! Do you know what you see if you try to cross into Mexico’s border illegally? Go down to Tejas and look across the river kids: TANKS AND GUNS. But if we protect our borders the same way we’re ‘racists’? Wake the hell up! And before you say we should ‘assimiliate’ these people who come here knowing they have broken the laws of the land and expect to be rewarded for it, how about you break it down for us WHO is going to pay for the massive bureauacrcy needed to do so?
Can you say,”MORE TAXES PLEASE?”
Well, you better learn to because guess what kids, it’ll be YOUR generation paying for these invaders to stay here.
Good job.
I guess a lot of strikers were illigal imigrants so that was a pretty good chance to find them in one place.
i have a question and if anyone can email me with the reply i would greatly appreciate it.. does anyone know of the suport system that is out there that gives money to kids who one or both parents are in prison i need to know so please answer me thank you
i dont know why white people talk all this shit about mexicans if they eat our food the usa is made out of mexicans if u ask a mexican to cut your yard 4 $5 bucks they’ll do it know ask a white guy he’ll say no besides the usa use to be part of mexico
i dont know why white people talk all this shit about mexicans if they eat our food the u.s.a is made out of mexicans if you ask a mexican to cut your yard for $5 bucks they’ll do it know ask a white guy he’ll say no besides the u.s.a use to be part of mexico
heyyyyyyyy i dont know how i got in here but i gots something to say im Mexican and prowd and im not gonna let no white craka put me down………. its not my fault my family migrated here a long long time ago and we came over here for work and i dont see no white fokes complainig about dat fo sho……… they always talking about how we need to go back well they need to wake up and smell da damn coffe cuz if we are immigrants then they are to cuz their ansisters arnt from here the only ppl who arnt immigrants are the indians……. well i just had to put my input on diss well hollaz at cha girl damielle martinez at mexicanflirt15@yahoo.com pce
We live in the republic-democracitcal nation the United States, where the rulers are not our leaders but the people, and the peaceful demostration set forth by high students in March 2006 reminded the world that the United States do listen to its people.
The fact of the matter is, this is not a socialist country but a capitalistic society so the HR 4437 did intervene with businesses. And believe me I love competition, but the bill surprise me the most when it crimilized church or other organization from helping undocumented immigrants. These factor would make people, who drive around the dessert and put water bottles for people who might otherwise dihydrate, lawbreakers.
In many aspects, illegal immigration does aid our economy because most of these people pay taxes cut down in their paycheck and fail to claim it during income tax. They also don’t benefit from government agencies since their afraid of commenting their legal status. Of course every economist would add that when immigrants take an unwanted sector in the industry, even though it would take jobs from citizens, it helps the market in the long run since documented workers would strive for higher education therefore improving an industry competive to the growing European and Asian economies.
Lets face it, the growing spectrum in these immigration debate would unlikely had grown without these students and the following marches accross the country, and congress would not be debating a humane law benificiniary to everyone. The ideal of a walk-out really outspoke the demands of immigrants because trust me a march held in Houston on a saturday morning, concerning the S.DREAM act simply attracted univision and telemundo broadcaster noneother, however the walk-out was transmitted from Fox to CNN.
Anyways support the S. Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors)
Check this page out:
http://www.cosaonline.org/003detail.html