RSSIllegal immigration initiative falls short
Yakima Herald-Republic
YAKIMA, Wash. -- An anti-illegal-immigration initiative failed to make the election ballot again this year, falling thousands of petition signatures short of the requirement.
Initiative 1043, sponsored by Wendell Hannigan of White Swan, would have required employers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of prospective employees.
It also would have required law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws and barred undocumented immigrants from getting driver's licenses or public benefits.
Respect Washington Chairman Craig Keller, who led signature-gathering efforts, said Thursday afternoon that not all of the signatures had yet been counted. But it was clear
I-1043 would fall short.
To qualify, 241,156 signatures were needed. According to Keller, it's likely Respect Washington gathered fewer than 100,000.
"But I think there's a lot to build on for filing this again next January," he said.
Ricardo Garcia, a former station manager and one of the founders of Granger's Spanish-language Radio KDNA, said he wasn't surprised that the measure failed to draw the requisite support.
"The initiative lacks compassion and it's one that the citizens of our state have consistently rejected for that reason," he said.
An identical measure, Initiative 409, fell short of making the ballot last year. Similar measures failed to make the ballot in 2006 and 2007.
"That's been the history of the anti-immigration initiatives," Garcia said.
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When you think about it, this initiative could have been put on the ballot for about $100,000. Ten people who care about this state could have put up $10,000 each to get this over the top.
Oh well.
North Central Idaho still has land for sale.
Compassion is fine when it's called for. Compassion for a bunch of illegal alien felons isn't one of those cases where it's called for. They need to be treated like the criminals they are - fined and deported. The people who hire them need to be prosecuted.
And this is NOT a racial issue. It is all about law enforcement and the lack thereof, which has cost us ALL a LOT of taxpayer money, lost jobs to CITIZENS, (Those other than farm work) and excessive free medical benefits meant for CITIZENS in need, (Medicaid). All this is according to EXISTING immigration law. We don't need new laws, we only need to enforce those we have.
Furthermore, calling for amnesty and citizenship rewards to these illegal, criminal aliens is nothing short of delusional and flies in the face of American Citizens and LEGAL immigrants who followed the rules.
Nick, my parents brought me into this country as an illegal when I was two years old. They made sure I graduated from high school and even paid for two years of college. I've never been arrested, never had any trouble with the law, and graduated HS with a 3.8 GPA. I say all this not to brag, but to ask you...How does that make me a criminal?
I do realize that many illegal aliens are criminals, but you shouldn't generalize Nick. It makes you look ignorant. Some of these "illegals" would be great citizens and would contribute to this country just like you do if they were given a chance. You saying all illegals are criminals would be like me saying all citizens are criminals just because a percentage of either population is involved in illegal activities. Have a great day!
KUDOS Legend! Your piece was well said. You should feel proud to have those accomplishments. It goes to show others who maybe narrow minded that not all illegals are leeches on society. Yes, the criminals need to be prosecuted and deported, I couldn't agree more. The sad thing is when one criminal goes wrong then the others are all assumed to be bad. Nick, remember assuming makes and @#$% out of you and me. I know your old enough to know that saying.
Report ViolationLegend: Congratulations for your accomplishments. However, ALL illegals break the law when the cross our borders by other than official means. The "Crime" is at that point, a misdemeanor, like a traffic ticket.
However, they become "Criminals" the minute they seek and acquire false documentation of any kind. That action is a felony, thus "Criminal" Penalties apply.
Therefore, I hold my position regarding the definition and context of "illegal "Criminal Aliens" as defined by our Federal Government and Homeland Security Standard Operating Procedures. (Look it up - I have)
Further, the minute they take a job using false documentation, they are also felons, subject to fines, jail, and deportation, and up to a ten year waiting period before they can LEGALLY re-enter this country. To me, they are the same as bank robbers or anyone committing any felony crimes, citizens or not - no special designation there.
In addition, I fault the EMPLOYERS of illegals - they are guilty of aiding and abetting a felony violation and should likewise be prosecuted.
From a sense of simple morality and fairness - it is not fair or right for someone to sneak into another's country and place themselves at the "head of the line" when others are waiting to do it the correct and legal way.
These designations are true for illegal Criminal aliens FROM ANY COUNTRY, not just Latin countries. Therefore, my emphasis against criminal illegal aliens is a LAW AND ORDER ISSUE - NOT A RACIAL ONE.
Legend: Because you have taken a serious and civil approach tou your reasons for disagreeing with me,I too, would like to comment accordingly as a rebuttal.
I grew up as 3rd generation agribusiness here. I grew up surrounded by and hanging out with farm-worker families. I never had a single negative incident with any of them and admire their work ethic and sense of family immensely - often much better than anyone else I ever saw or worked with - so none of those thing are at issue.
I want you and others who have maliciously called me a racist and worse, to know these things and understand where I am coming from as well. It would be very nice if these discussions over different points of view could take place on similar terms instead of by hot-head radicals that support illegal alien migration, and would at least show the proper respect by not dragging our flag in the streets and acting like a bunch of p.o.'d 2 year olds.
Legend, What part of illegal don't you understand? Illegal means you were breaking the laws of the land. I am sure your parents had alot of help along the way. There is only one way to enter this country and it is legally. This country is going under because the floodgates have been open for much too long. I am sick of hearing about the poor farm workers. Those farm workers are not on the farm any longer. They are doing construction, fast food, and even government jobs. And if you want to know what they are doing in their spare time, check out this link.
http://www.crimestoppersyakco.org/ Check out each area of wanted criminals on the left side and see what the majority of them are. Why would citizens not want these poor farm workers in this country? That is a perfect example of why not. This is just one example. If you go to the Crimestoppers site for any area where there are alot of Mexican people, you will see the same majority. If you want to live here, do it legally and then follow the laws of the land. It is not a matter of discrimination, it is a matter of safety and survival. Yakima went straight downhill when the floodgates opened up in the 70's and it is has turned into a cesspool. Sorry, not sympathy here. I used to feel for the ones who swam the river but then I had to live with them. There are some great ones and some who truly are wanting a better life but there is also way too many who are raping our children, robbing, doing drugs, etc. Give me one good reason why we would want that?
Nick, I must admitt that I'm impressed, not that that's what you were trying to accomplish, and I have to say that I agree with you on just about everything. I understand your position and see how many people are breaking the law just by coming into this country illegally, and especially when using false documentation to gain access to programs and benefits for U.S. Citizens.
But please allow me to explain my situation to you, then I'd like to hear your opinion on my personal case. I came into this great country in 1991 at the age of two and a half years. I should say I was brought by my parents. My father was a legal resident here, but bringing us legally was nearly impossible for him at that time. I grew up in Yakima and learned to love this nation. My flag is the American flag. I cheer for the American teams in world competitions. Even though I speak spanish fluently, I consider English my language. I respect all other nations and their flags, but I salute only the American flag. Like everybody else in America, it annoys me to see Mexican flags in display in direct defiance of U.S. sovereignty. I have refused to work with false documents, limiting my income immensely, being that I work small cash jobs only. Now my question to you Nick is; how am I a criminal? I honestly don't consider or see myself as a criminal. And like me, there are many more out there who just need a chance to become the tax paying, supporting citizens that they can be.
You'll probably tell me to go to Mexico and do it the right way, but what am I going to do in Mexico? I know close to nothing of that country. I've only been there once in my life, and while it was a nice experience, I didn't like it as a place for me to live in... So what do you think I should do Nick? Will I always be considered a "criminal"? Thanks for the positive discussion, and just so you know, I never considered you a racist.
According to SEVERAL sources including Alan Greenspan (former federal reserve chairman) Illegal immigration is good for our economy. He may know a lot more than some fools who can't even get enough signatures. LOL
Report ViolationLegend: First, I can't hold anyone responsible for the "sins of their father",which, in my opinion, is a classic example. At 2-1/2, you certainly had no choices regarding your legal status for coming here. I'm not sure that your father, as a legal resident, didn't have a lawful way to bring you here. I DO know that in about 1986, Pres. Reagan declared and amnesty for about 3.5 million illegals. Since you came after, in 1991, that specific amnesty may not have applied directly to you, but it may have been the vehicle for your father to become legal, I don't know. Unless, like many Hispanics, he was born here, then your case is probably even stronger.
I am not a lawyer, nor even an expert, but based upon what you have said, I can only guess that you would have been given legal residence by default, in light of your father's status. Of course, part of that is what everyone here is complaining about also - the "chain migration" process by which family members that are already here legally, may have some "rights" to bring other immediate family members along. At least by the interpretation of some.
Sounds to me like you need an immigration attorney to clarify your status - but I would urge you to do so sooner than later. Who knows, you may not have the problems you perhaps suppose you have. In any case, I would urge you to seek citizenship if you haven't already applied - given your stated feelings about our country.
A short answer to your questions to me though, "Do I think you are a criminal?": By the Federal Government's definition as I understand it, of a criminal alien, would make you one, because your circumstances, by no personal fault of YOUR own, seem to match that definition.
SO, the ball is back in your court - go apply for citizenship why don't you? Then, there are no more issues between us.
Nick, I am sincerely impressed and encouraged by your reply to Legend. However, your assumptions are incorrect and your thoughtful, respectful response to Legend is the kind of response that makes the Legends of this community cry real tears of frustration and that causes me to stop, take several long, deep, cleansing breaths, and try again.
If nothing else, please get it through your head that Legend is NOT eligible to apply for citizenship because there is NO AMNESTY. The ball is in our court. We need to deal with that.
Comprehensive immigration reform, the DREAM Act and others, are all attempts to deal. Since you won't dismiss Legend out of hand, Nick, you should not dismiss "amnesty" out of hand because that's all that Legend can hope for. As you yourself wrote, "In any case, I would urge you to seek citizenship if you haven't already applied." Let's give him that chance, shall we?
Legend says his father was a legal resident, i.e. lawful permanent resident. A permanent resident can petition for his or her spouse and children, but the wait for a visa is years long (depends on the country, Mexico is about 8 years) and meanwhile, the family must stay outside the US and the resident must live inside the US or risk losing his papers. Because there is NO AMNESTY. There was an amnesty to allow families to reunite but it ended in 2001. Oftentimes, family members can't even get visitor visas these days because the US government deems them to have "immigrant intent." No family members of legal residents ever got legal status by default - we provided a kind of limited amnesty to make the wait bearable. But that's over.
Believe me, Legend has all the problems s/he describes. (It makes me smile to see Nick refer worthy young people to, say, Sonia Rodriguez for legal advice.) Read up on the DREAM Act, please, and consider giving it your support. Because really, Nick, reading your comment makes me think that you do support the DREAM Act - you just don't know it yet.
I'm sorry, I simply cannot abide the "Amnesty" thing at all. I see NO VALUE in rewards for breaking the law. You start a precedent and you stat a landslide. True, some individual cases certainly deserve consideration, but EVERYONE HAS A SAD STORY, like I said earlier above.
I don't agree that there isn't a way without amnesty that Legend can gain satisfy his needs and become legal. As I say, he needs to talk to an immigration attorney to find out for sure - unless, Martha, you have that credential. At least, the attorney/client relationship is sacred and confidential, and I'm sure he could seek a no-charge consultation that would tell him what the law is for sure and at least give him a direction.
In any case, I believe that Legend needs to "clean his slate" before he can really utilize all his educational accomplishments to his advantage.
Well, a few points in honor of July 4th:
Forgiveness is not an award.
There is no way under current law for Legend to satisfy his needs and become legal.
Citizens make the rules.
Yes, I have that credential.
I see NO VALUE in banishing Legend from the United States.
We can make it possible for Legend to use his educational accomplishments to all our advantage.
DREAM Act.
Hey guys and gals, I've got and idea why don't someone put the initiative back up on the ballot. I have a feeling in this economy were money flying out the door faster than they can print it, that the issue would get overwhemling support.
P.S. Legend sorry about your luck! But a duck is a duck.
WASHINGTON'S RANK IN THE NATION'S AGRICULTURE: Rank/Percent of U.S. for 2006
Rank Percent
Hops 1 76.8
Apples 1 58.1
Cherries 1 57.4
Pears 1 46.9
Rasberries 1 90.4
(Source: Washington State Office of Financial Management)
Before some of you say, "they are criminals when they first crossed the borders" pay attention to the impact that migrant workers have on our own state economy. Get rid of undocumented workers and the economy of Washington State will come to a complete crash. I say, try it Washington. We dare you. The reality is that this is the reason why many people don't support any anti-immigration reform. Because of this reality that exist that undocumented people DO give back to this country. Good luck gathering signatures, it is failure to begin with. I find this odd and hurtful to hear people, especially some of my own native brothers and sisters say that they came here 'illegaly'. Remember your history, it was the Europeans, pilgrims and Spaniards that came into this country illegaly and stripped the lands of all indigenous peoples of this continent, including Mexico and South America! According to a statement Chief Granado made 2 years ago at a presentation/forum where a visiting Professor from California came and talked about 'gangs',"It's not minorities or undocumented people that make up the majority numbers in our jails, its caucasions that make the majority." hmmmm....illegals are the cause of all crimes??? The Chief of Police says no, thats not true. Please list your sources of imformation to prove your points. Thank you :D
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