Posted on 08/12/2004 4:00:11 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES - Immigrant rights groups demanded Thursday that a local Spanish-language TV station cancel a "Fear Factor" type reality show that offers winners immigration counsel, alleging the show takes advantage of those desperate for a green card and a life in the United States. The show features immigrants who compete in contests that have included gulping down live tequila worms, fending off vicious attack dogs and jumping between two speeding 18-wheelers.
The groups say Liberman Broadcasting's "Gana la Verde" or "Win the Green," shown on stations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston and Dallas, gives a false impression of how the immigration process works and ridicules those seeking legal status in the United States. They said it also makes contestants who are illegal immigrants potential targets for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"It gives the erroneous message that through tricks one can get a green card, and it puts people in danger of being deported," said Angela Sanbrano, executive director of the Central American Resource Center.
The groups also claimed the show does the "homework" for immigration authorities by providing details about immigrants who may be here illegally.
Representatives of the immigrant advocacy groups said they want to meet with Liberman Broadcasting officials to discuss more realistic portrayals of the immigration system. If the company doesn't agree to meet with them or pull the show, they will consider a boycott of the program's advertisers, as well as legal action for alleged false advertising and unlawful legal advice, said Victor Nieblas, of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Lenard Liberman, co-owner of the Burbank-based company, said he would be happy to meet with the groups but is not planning to pull the show.
"We're just trying to help people out here. I don't know what all the controversy's about," he said. "If we gave away breast implants or plastic surgery, no one could care. But try to help Maria go from a nanny to a nurse, and everyone raises an outcry."
Winners earn a year's worth of legal guidance toward a green card for legal residency. The show doesn't actually guarantee winners a U.S. residency card, but the introduction describes the six contestants battling for their final goal of the green card amid ominous images of barbed wire along the border and U.S. patrol helicopters.
Liberman said the contestants are all adults, and that with recent immigration raids, they face the risk of deportation by going to the supermarket.
The show, which has aired more than 20 episodes, is ranked No. 2 among 18- to 49-year-old Hispanic viewers, Liberman said.
"There are already two people who are on their way to getting green cards. There's one person who's four to sixth months away. We don't have one participant complaint,' he said. "If this makes money, it's only going to become more popular."
Those against the program acknowledged that their efforts may simply boost the ratings, as did controversy surrounding films such as "The Passion" and "Fahrenheit 9-11."
"We have to trust the community not to support this," Sanbrano said.
Fear 'of deportation' Factor
It might have got better reception.
ping
Call Karl Rove. He'll take care of this.
Wow! No wonder the production company is teling those groups to kiss thier ass.
Question: If this show was in English and broadcast on FOX, the cries of racism would be so loud I doubt it would make it past two episodes much less 20.
This is different frome the Diversity Visa Lottery how, exactly?
The story is precious beyond words.
bump
Oh well, ship her back to Mexico. We only want skilled laborers, not klutzes.
Sounds like a regular day of getting across the border to me.
They could add some other well known border adventures such as the:
Swift water no flotation swim
Tijuana Cop shakedown (winner is the one that keeps the most money)
Border Bandit chase
Desert death march
Border Patrol sprint for freedom
Rock throwing (distance and accuracy at hitting moving Migra targets)
This really is in bad taste, but that’s our border.
The show features immigrants illegal aliens who compete in contests...
Why do all that when they can just spit on our laws and our constitution, defecate on our borders and just cut in line in front of thousands that have been waiting to come in legally and legitimately.
Not me!
I want ignorant, third world types that will work their butts off for six bucks an hour, that don't complain and don't know what benefits are. Give me those that wouldn't know a labor law from a ham sandwich. I want bigger profits! To hell with American's and our laws! Show me the money!
For the "Reality Show Index," I'd like to offer up the old 50s TV "game show" Queen for a Day as 100 on the RSI.
An acquaintance told me his aunt had been in a abusive marriage, went on Queen for a Day and won all the "goodies." Her husband promptly sold all her winnings and kept the proceeds.
Revolting ... simply revolting.
Ping
Sick isn't it? My son saw this on the news this morning and almost fell out of his chair laughing.
Of course I despise most reality tv shows, but this one takes the cake.
Don't forget, "locked in a semi trailer heatstroke endurance marathon".
I wonder if INS will watch this show and come to deport those people? About as likely as John Kerry in Cambodia on Christmas Eve 1968.
Bump
Lol.
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