Death in Juarez

http://blogs.forbes.com/oshadavidson/2011/04/07/a-death-in-juarez-how-u-s-immigration-policy-is-tearing-american-families-apart/#post_comments

The $66 million fortress of a consulate is surrounded by a moat of heavily armed men, who guard it against an almost unimaginably brutal civil war raging just outside the golden zone. Ciudad Juárez, population 1.3 million, is sometimes called the “murder capital of the Americas”—a fitting description for a city that has seen roughly 7,000 killings in less than three years, including more than 3,100 last year.

Located just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, Juárez is ground zero in a bloody clash between the Mexican government and the drug cartels that feed Americans’ craving for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The “narco-war” includes turf battles between rival cartels. Since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderón launched a military offensive against the cartels, officials put the national death toll at more than 30,000.

Seem like the US should move the facility to the United States.  That would help our economy and allow for better protection of area residents, not to mention consulate workers while giving the US citizen families more peace of mind.

Immigration foes are working to tear the United States apart.  Some argue "states rights" and endorse succession from the United States. (That seems extremist in my book.)  In doing so they are fueling problems not only in the United States but in other countries as well.  It's unfortunate (to say the least) that so many people believe the false information that these groups spread.

Our lives are hectic today.  Many people are busy trying to raise families and make ends meet.  As a result they don't have the time or energy to think about issues they don't believe directly affect them.  But immigration impacts all of us.  Thinking people including religious leader, teachers and lawmakers need to look at this issue and THINK.

The conversation needs a new direction.   
For starters, the Visa processing center needs to be moved from Juarez to the United States, if not for everyone, definitely for those who are family of United States citizens.

In 2009, more than 94,000 Mexicans came to Juárez to apply for permanent resident status. Many, like Monica’s husband Alvaro, were undocumented and living gainfully in the United States. In past decades, applying would have been no big deal for such people. Thanks partly to a 1965 Great Society law that emphasized the need to keep families intact, applicants already living in the United States could petition for a change of status without having to leave.

Isn't it better to keep those dollars in the United States?  Isn't it better for the safety and peace of mind of Consulate workers?  Isn't it better for the citizen family members of applicants?   

  

3rd Graders Homework Assignment on Illegal Immigration

This news article from 11Alive (Atlanta GA)  left me nearly speechless.  No wonder there are so may problems with bullying and hate when children are given assignments and answer/choices such as these.

Maybe that's why so many parents home school.

One of the multiple choice questions on the assignment was question #6:

What does the U.S. do with illegal aliens?
A. The U.S. puts them to work in the army.
B. The U.S. shoots them into outer space.
C. The U.S. puts them to death.
D. The U.S. sends them back where they came from.

It would be understandable if students who listen to the news answered incorrectly.  It could be a difficult multiple choice elimination process.

A.  Those in the anti-immigration movement don't want "illegals" working, so that can't be right BUT military service was part of the failed DREAM Act.
B.  Two Georgia lawmakers, Yates and Murphy as well as Kansas Representative Peck have suggested shooting, BUT that was with guns, not shooting the immigrant into outer space.
C.  The lawmakers shooting suggestions didn't mention "shoot to wound" so presumably, it would be shoot to death. 
D.  Doesn't the US have "Due Process?" before making a determination and issuing punishment?

What were they thinking...

Oh, I know! They were teaching  DISRESPECT of other humans.  Why else would they teach children to label someone "illegal?"

Georgia's Anti-Immigration Pending Legislation

If Georgia citizens realized what these anti-immigration bills will do if enacted THEY would run for the border and escape Georgia.  The legislation won't accomplish what the public wants but unfortunately it will cost taxpayers and business dearly.   

Arizona business leaders are distressed over the situation created by that states anti-immigration legislation.  Sixty of Arizona's big company leaders sent a letter to Arizona this week.   There is a link to the letter in the Arizona Republic News.

Police resources are already stretched thin.  These "new crimes" will distract police focus away from  higher/serious offenders (Level I & II) in the community and put the focus on immigrants who may have been riding a bicycle or fishing without a license.

Additionally some of the legislation will further burden the child welfare system when one parent is jailed for one of these "new crimes" and the other is sent to ICE detention.

Some Georgia jurisdictions already participate in the 287g program which has also experienced controversy.   

House Bill 59 - Would bar undocumented aka unauthorized immigrants from attending Georgia public universities and technical colleges even if they pay higher out-of-state tuition (as the current law allows).  Those paying out of state tuition actual pay more than the costs of the universities, so undocumented students are funding the education of citizens.  One argument given by bill supporters is the undocumented take seats from citizens.  Those here on Student Visas can attend those same schools. Their families do NOT live here or contribute to the tax base,  while undocumented people/families DO pay Georgia taxes. 

House Bill 87 - (Georgia's answer to Arizona's SB1070) Multiple components: Mandates E-Verify; ID Theft, with stiff penalties for using giving an invented name and/or for making up a 9 digit Social Security number;  Licensed drivers, authorized residents can be arrested, jailed, fined AND have the vehicle seized for having an undocumented adult passengers in a vehicle under the "transporting" provision;  "Sheltering" - A husband or wife can be arrested, jailed and fined for providing "shelter" and food to their undocumented spouse - the parent of their children.  Same applies to roommate situations.  

House Bill 296: If passed, would mandate local school and hospitals to count the illegal immigrants they treat.  In order to get an accurate count they would have to ask ALL patients for that information.  This would be burden on schools AND medical providers as well as PATIENTS.  AND likely necessitate costly changes to records systems & databases. 

Senate Bill 7: If passed, would ban undocumented workers from collecting workers’ compensation benefits for on-the-job injuries.  This is particularly troublesome as those injuries now covered by workers comp would still need to be treated.  Again burdening healthcare providers.  Undocumented workers frequently work positions authorize residents don't want.  As a result some are at risk from falls, wounds and exposure to chemicals such as insectides and weedkillers.

Senate Bill 27: Toughens current laws to prevent state agencies and counties from hiring undocumented workers for taxpayer-funded projects.

Senate Bill 65: Would prohibit undocumented immigrants from collecting unemployment benefits.  This isn't needed as undocumented people are already prohibited from collecting unemployment benefits. 

Senate Bill 104:  Has components similar to HB 87 and SB 40.   Punishes drivers who pick up day laborers in certain situations.  Would allow warrantless arrests of those who police have probable cause to believe have committed 'any public offenses' that make them eligible for deportation.  

Senate Bill 174: Would require all jails in Georgia to participate in Secure Communities. The program compares the fingerprints of people booked into jails against a federal database, and if an unlawful immigrant is determined,  ICE is notified and may place a detainer on the party.  See "Secure Communities" info at ICE.