Posted on 07/12/2005 11:53:24 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Religious and political leaders say changes would end the appeal of border watchers
A group of religious and political leaders made an urgent call for immigration reform Tuesday while also denouncing the Minutemen.
The leaders, including Catholic Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza and City Councilmen Gordon Quan and Adrian Garcia, said a congressional program allowing workers to come here legally would eliminate the need for groups like the Minutemen to monitor illegal immigrants. They called on area members of Congress to take the lead on the issue.
"We have a serious problem here in our community and across the United States," Fiorenza said, referring to the immigration situation as a "terrible mess."
The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a group formed in Arizona, has announced plans to arrive in Houston in October. Leaders of the group say they will videotape day laborers who gather on the city's streets and those who pick them up. They have promised to be peaceful.
The leaders at the conference organized by The Metropolitan Organization said they do not welcome the patrols.
"The time is surely at hand to tell the vigilantes that they are not welcome in our city," said Joe Rubio, chair of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
Garcia, a former Houston police officer, said HPD would monitor the Minutemen "as they would the KKK, as they would the Black Panthers."
Bill Parmley, head of the Texas branch of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said the group's showing in Arizona in April proved it was nonviolent and does not have connections to racist organizations.
"Our track record speaks for itself," he said.
Proposals for immigration reform are expected to be considered by Congress in coming months, though it is not clear whether any will win approval before the end of the year. One proposal, cosponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, would allow immigrants to come here as temporary guest workers.
The advocates called Tuesday for a program that would make it possible for the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country tto stay here and work toward citizenship. They also called for reuniting families divided by immigration.
"Let's stand up for family values," said the Rev. Oscar Cantu, of Holy Name Catholic Church. The leaders also said they feel they represent the views of most Houstonians in calling for humane treatment of illegal immigrants.
Though polling has shown Houstonians support the diversity brought by immigration, Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg said the city's residents are ambivalent about illegal immigration.
The day laborers the Minutemen plan to monitor are particularly unpopular in some neighborhoods. Residents and business owners complain of the crime and trash associated with the men gathering on dozens of corners across Houston. The city has tried to solve the problem by supporting the creation of day-labor centers.
edward.hegstrom@chron.com
July 6, 2005 - No photos of immigrants, chief tells officers
July 8, 2005 - MINUTEMEN - Border watchers coming to city - target HPD's hands-off policy
July 9, 2005 - Minutemen headed here warned they, too, will be watched
I assume "reuniting families divided by immigration" means bringing in about 50 million of their relatives.
Now they are being compared to the KKK and the Black Panthers... We are doomed.
Even with race baiting insults like the above, the Minute Men enjoy the moral high road and improve their image by refusing to be made either a 'heavy' or a victim.
Mr. Garcia just makes a fool of himself.
Yes and I think the Catholic church and politicians in Houston have been getting an earful in support of the Minutemen and that many church members and voters are opposed to their positions, as described in the earlier articles.
Follow the money.
Since when did protecting your country become "vigilantism"? These liberals are sick, uneducated, morons. AWB
Mr Garcia is a hero to a few idgits here.
They will be along shortly....you can count on it
One even lives in Houston....allegedly
Maybe he is Mr Gracia actually..lol
As much as we know that the city government (city counsel, et. al.) are as liberal as it can get...Well, it could piick up an additional seat or two...Then we'd be screwed...But thats a different issue...Ackkkk...
They, and others, can do ALLLLLL the whining and moaning they want to...
The Minuteman Project is coming to town, their mission is clear, and all it does is shine the light on the cockroaches that are not doing their job...Plain and simple...And that's what has them up in arms...
And thats just too damn bad...
Last time I checked, not breaking the law was a pretty darn good family value.
Why be afraid of the word "vigilante" ?
Vigilanteism is what happens when law abiding people have to face the fact that help is not on the way from the forces of law and order and they are on their own.
As a Catholic, I am disgusted with the ethnic pandering of my church.
"Let's stand up for family values," said the Rev. Oscar Cantu, of Holy Name Catholic Church. The leaders also said they feel they represent the views of most Houstonians in calling for humane treatment of illegal immigrants."
There is nothing inhumane about sending them home. Perhaps Rev. Cantu should open a mission/charity across the so-called border in Mexico if it is so terrible there.....
As for employers of illegals: make it a Federal crime, punishable by a fine of $10,000 per illegal employee per day.
Second offense, emininent domain takeover (because their business and its illegal employees is obviously not paying their fair share of taxes, and the municipality could get more tax income from a business that only American hires citizens).
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