The Mexican Consulate in Little Rock is now starting to become an issue in the Presidential Campaign. You can check out the story on worldnetdaily!
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58430
And here's part II!
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58455
_____
Here's a story from about a year ago that shows even more of how Huckabee paved the way for the Mexican Consulate:
Mexican consulate finds temporary quarters at state agency
Thursday, Oct 19, 2006 By James Jefferson
Arkansas News Bureau www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/10/19/
LITTLE ROCK - Mexican consulate officials are preparing to leave their $1-a-year space in a state office building for other temporary quarters before occupying the consulate's permanent building in a former ice cream parlor, which may be christened by Mexican President Vicente Fox."We're preparing for a possible grand opening next month, really contingent upon President Fox's schedule. He's indicated that he'd like to come to Arkansas for the opening of the final consulate under his administration," said Robert Trevino, a former aide to Gov. Mike Hukabee, who now heads Arkansas Rehabilitative Services, where Mexican consular officials occupy space and use a phone.The consulate's permanent home will be in a former Baskin Robbins store across from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus. (a lie)However, the move, expected by the end of the month, hasn't soothed the ruffled feathers of some lawmakers angry that Huckabee's administration made the deal to house the consular officials in a state agency in the first place without notifying the Legislature.Rep. Bob Mathis, D-Hot Springs, who objected that lawmakers were informed only after the deal was struck in July, said he considered requesting an attorney general's opinion on the legality of it, but abandoned the idea because of time constraints."The whole thing stinks, but there's really not a whole lot we can do about it," Mathis said. "By the time they turn around with it, they'll probably be gone."He said Trevino stepped out of line to help the Mexican consulate because Trevino previously headed the Arkansas chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens - LULAC - and was on the governor's payroll handling dealings with the Hispanic community.
In a statement, Huckabee said the benefits from having a Mexican consulate in Arkansas would go far beyond any state assistance in helping get the office off the ground.The consulate will provide Arkansas businesses with access to Mexico and opportunities to expand their markets (so a company has to have a consulate of country in it's state before it can access to that country?), and will help further ensure that immigrants from Mexico are legal and better able to secure legal documentation (matricular cards for illegals) ,the governor said."At the same time, the office will open up opportunities for Mexican investors to invest money with Arkansas partners, which will help create jobs in the state," Huckabee said.Trevino said the deal resulted from a request from Mexican officials, which Huckabee gladly agreed to, to provide assistance to advance personnel in town to prepare for the opening of the consulate."He understood the challenges they faced and that we wanted to be a friendly host. Nothing specific was asked for but he said he (would help)," Trevino said. "We had some office space available in my agency ... that we weren't going to use until November. We consulted with Arkansas Building Authority. They advised us we would need to have a legal agreement, a facility use agreement with consulate officials."The agreement, which called for a $1 annual payment, was signed July 7. Mexican consulate official Jorge Campos referred questions Wednesday to Andres Chao, the consul for Arkansas, who did not return calls seeking comment.
__________________________________
Here are some interesting statistics about Mexico and why we need to reform this regime, not give it consulates in America:
-In Mexico City, over 80% of crimes go unreported because of the inept and corrupt police.
-Communist Revolts have festered in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca
-Monopoly Tycoon Carlos Slim is now the richest man in the world after controlling 90% of Mexico's telephone lines. Not one monopoly has been broken up in Mexico.
-$2.3 billion goes to bribing officials, with the poorest Mexicans paying 14% of their income in bribes
-More Americans are killed by illegal immigrants from Mexico than by the sponsoring of terrorism by Iran.
________________________________
Congratulations to the citizens in Oklahoma! Their efforts to pass immigration reform are now in effect after the pro-illegal crowd attempted to override their will with a federal lawsuit:
http://www.kotv.com/news/topstory/?id=138916
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Arkansas Friendship (illegal immigration) Coalition.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007
Rev. Steve Copley – 501-626-9220
Archie Schaffer – 479-263-9889
Randy Wilbourn – 501-905-8148
Business and Religious Leaders Create Alliance to Advocate for Immigrants (SPRINGDALE and LITTLE ROCK) - Church, civic and business leaders announced Monday the formation of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition, a statewide advocacy group that will oppose punitive state and municipal laws targeting immigrants in Arkansas. This morning, Arkansas Friendship Coalition Chairman Steve Copley and Archie Schaffer, senior vice president for external affairs at Tyson Foods, held the group’s first news conference at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. Monday afternoon, Copley and Randy Wilbourn, senior vice president for corporate communications at Alltel, led a second news conference at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. A statement issued by the group said: “We are a nation of immigrants. (citizens and legal immigrants) The very foundations of our country were built on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of immigrants (no, it was God, a free middle class, and the Constitution); hopes and dreams of a land of opportunity that would provide a better life for their families. Those same aspirations today imbue (weird words make us sound better) the more than 100,000 immigrants who have come to call Arkansas home.” (like the ones who smuggle Meth into NW Arkansas!) The coalition’s leadership said they have come together to encourage a reasonable and respectful approach to the immigration debate in Arkansas. Their plans include lobbying elected officials, speaking to civic and community groups and other advocacy strategies. (lawsuits and cry racism!) The Arkansas Friendship Coalition maintains that immigration is a federal issue and that state and local money should not be wasted to fix a problem that is ultimately a responsibility of the federal government. Then illegals don't need any state funded services
Page 2 – Arkansas Friendship Coalition
"It is critically important to American business that Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Amnesty Lite) be passed by Congress, but this is a problem that can only be fixed at that level,” said Schaffer. “State and local governments should not be involving themselves in issues that only Congress can really address." Wilbourn of Alltel said, “America’s immigrants have always been and will remain an integral part of our community and our future. Without a fair and balanced approach to dealing with immigration in this country, we will continue to hurt our society and impede our economic opportunity.” Business leaders sited a recent study by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (A group that funded Amnesty Marches in Arkansas) that reports the following:
• Immigrants added $3 billion to the Arkansas economy in 2004. (What about illegals)
• Arkansas’ immigrant community used $237 million in state services (mostly educational and health services) in 2004 but paid $257 million in taxes resulting in a surplus to the state budget of almost $20 million. Does not include incaration, tax rebates, Federal services that could have gone to Arkansas Citizens and of course does not seperate legal immigrants from illegal aliens)
• If all immigrants left the state tomorrow, Arkansas’ manufacturing output would drop by $1.4 billion and factories would close across Arkansas due to an acute labor shortage (Tyson Foods alone made over 1 billion in profit for 2006. They have spent $500,000 just on Federal lobbying for the first half of 2007 alone!)
• Immigrant spending has created 23,100 jobs that are held primarily by Arkansans born in the United States. (US citizens doing the jobs illegals stole would be spending more)
• Without its immigrant community, Central Arkansas alone would lose $638 million in business revenues, 5,000 jobs and $143 million in payroll. An even greater impact would occur in Northwest Arkansas. (What about just illegals?)
Copley invited Arkansans to join the coalition. “We ask others to join our efforts to speak up for the growing immigrant community, to share in their hopes and dreams of a better life, which is the American dream.” More information can be found at the coalition’s Web site, http://www.arfriendshipcoalition.org/
To read the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation report, http://www.wrfoundation.org/
FOUNDING MEMBERS
ARKANSAS FRIENDSHIP COALITION
• Rev. Steve Copley, Chairman of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition and a United Methodist pastor
• Archie Schaffer, Government Affairs, Tyson Foods
• Randy Wilbourn, Alltel Corporation
• Rita Sklar, Director of the Arkansas affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union
• Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc.
• Rev. Gordon Garlington and Rev. Howard Gordon, Presbyterian pastors
• Neal Sealy, ACORN (A leftist organization which has been busted for voter fraud in several states )
• Ruth Shepherd and Just Communities of Central Arkansas
• Tommy Fish, Associated General Contractors (AGC)
• Graham Catlett and Paul Charton, Catlett and Stodola Law Firm
• Rev. Michael Mattox, Methodist minister
• Rev. Wendell Griffen, a Baptist pastor
• Bishop Larry Maze, retired Episcopal Bishop
• Stacy Sells and Michele Bond, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (An ad agency)
• Mary Beth Ringgold, a restaurateur and owner of Cajuns Wharf, Copper Grill and Capers (here's a place to boycott)
• Rabbi Gene Levy, Reform Jewish leader in Little Rock
• Rev. Lowell Grisham of Fayetteville, an Episcopalian priest
• Skip Rutherford, Clinton School of Public Service
• Rev. Joyce Hardy an Episcopalian pastor
• Penelope Sur, a graduate student at the Clinton School of Public Service
• Alan Leveritt for Arkansas Times and El Latino newspapers
• Haskell Dickinson, president of McGeorge Contracting
• Rev. Bob Klein, a Unitarian Universalist pastor (they'll believe in anything but Christianity)
These businesses want to destroy Middle Class America and replace it with Third World Exploitation. The so called "Religious Leaders" believe that America owes every poor person in the world a living. They also benefit finacially from illegal alien money.
There is some good from this. At least our enemies have decided to name themselves. In addition, having such partisan groups as the ACLU and ACORN will turn most Arkansas citizens away from the illegal immigration agenda. Hopefully, this will show the Arkansas Republican Party that the left already has the upper hand on appeasing illegals.
Rev. Steve Copley – 501-626-9220
Archie Schaffer – 479-263-9889
Randy Wilbourn – 501-905-8148
Business and Religious Leaders Create Alliance to Advocate for Immigrants (SPRINGDALE and LITTLE ROCK) - Church, civic and business leaders announced Monday the formation of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition, a statewide advocacy group that will oppose punitive state and municipal laws targeting immigrants in Arkansas. This morning, Arkansas Friendship Coalition Chairman Steve Copley and Archie Schaffer, senior vice president for external affairs at Tyson Foods, held the group’s first news conference at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. Monday afternoon, Copley and Randy Wilbourn, senior vice president for corporate communications at Alltel, led a second news conference at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. A statement issued by the group said: “We are a nation of immigrants. (citizens and legal immigrants) The very foundations of our country were built on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of immigrants (no, it was God, a free middle class, and the Constitution); hopes and dreams of a land of opportunity that would provide a better life for their families. Those same aspirations today imbue (weird words make us sound better) the more than 100,000 immigrants who have come to call Arkansas home.” (like the ones who smuggle Meth into NW Arkansas!) The coalition’s leadership said they have come together to encourage a reasonable and respectful approach to the immigration debate in Arkansas. Their plans include lobbying elected officials, speaking to civic and community groups and other advocacy strategies. (lawsuits and cry racism!) The Arkansas Friendship Coalition maintains that immigration is a federal issue and that state and local money should not be wasted to fix a problem that is ultimately a responsibility of the federal government. Then illegals don't need any state funded services
Page 2 – Arkansas Friendship Coalition
"It is critically important to American business that Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Amnesty Lite) be passed by Congress, but this is a problem that can only be fixed at that level,” said Schaffer. “State and local governments should not be involving themselves in issues that only Congress can really address." Wilbourn of Alltel said, “America’s immigrants have always been and will remain an integral part of our community and our future. Without a fair and balanced approach to dealing with immigration in this country, we will continue to hurt our society and impede our economic opportunity.” Business leaders sited a recent study by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (A group that funded Amnesty Marches in Arkansas) that reports the following:
• Immigrants added $3 billion to the Arkansas economy in 2004. (What about illegals)
• Arkansas’ immigrant community used $237 million in state services (mostly educational and health services) in 2004 but paid $257 million in taxes resulting in a surplus to the state budget of almost $20 million. Does not include incaration, tax rebates, Federal services that could have gone to Arkansas Citizens and of course does not seperate legal immigrants from illegal aliens)
• If all immigrants left the state tomorrow, Arkansas’ manufacturing output would drop by $1.4 billion and factories would close across Arkansas due to an acute labor shortage (Tyson Foods alone made over 1 billion in profit for 2006. They have spent $500,000 just on Federal lobbying for the first half of 2007 alone!)
• Immigrant spending has created 23,100 jobs that are held primarily by Arkansans born in the United States. (US citizens doing the jobs illegals stole would be spending more)
• Without its immigrant community, Central Arkansas alone would lose $638 million in business revenues, 5,000 jobs and $143 million in payroll. An even greater impact would occur in Northwest Arkansas. (What about just illegals?)
Copley invited Arkansans to join the coalition. “We ask others to join our efforts to speak up for the growing immigrant community, to share in their hopes and dreams of a better life, which is the American dream.” More information can be found at the coalition’s Web site, http://www.arfriendshipcoalition.org/
To read the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation report, http://www.wrfoundation.org/
FOUNDING MEMBERS
ARKANSAS FRIENDSHIP COALITION
• Rev. Steve Copley, Chairman of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition and a United Methodist pastor
• Archie Schaffer, Government Affairs, Tyson Foods
• Randy Wilbourn, Alltel Corporation
• Rita Sklar, Director of the Arkansas affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union
• Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc.
• Rev. Gordon Garlington and Rev. Howard Gordon, Presbyterian pastors
• Neal Sealy, ACORN (A leftist organization which has been busted for voter fraud in several states )
• Ruth Shepherd and Just Communities of Central Arkansas
• Tommy Fish, Associated General Contractors (AGC)
• Graham Catlett and Paul Charton, Catlett and Stodola Law Firm
• Rev. Michael Mattox, Methodist minister
• Rev. Wendell Griffen, a Baptist pastor
• Bishop Larry Maze, retired Episcopal Bishop
• Stacy Sells and Michele Bond, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (An ad agency)
• Mary Beth Ringgold, a restaurateur and owner of Cajuns Wharf, Copper Grill and Capers (here's a place to boycott)
• Rabbi Gene Levy, Reform Jewish leader in Little Rock
• Rev. Lowell Grisham of Fayetteville, an Episcopalian priest
• Skip Rutherford, Clinton School of Public Service
• Rev. Joyce Hardy an Episcopalian pastor
• Penelope Sur, a graduate student at the Clinton School of Public Service
• Alan Leveritt for Arkansas Times and El Latino newspapers
• Haskell Dickinson, president of McGeorge Contracting
• Rev. Bob Klein, a Unitarian Universalist pastor (they'll believe in anything but Christianity)
These businesses want to destroy Middle Class America and replace it with Third World Exploitation. The so called "Religious Leaders" believe that America owes every poor person in the world a living. They also benefit finacially from illegal alien money.
There is some good from this. At least our enemies have decided to name themselves. In addition, having such partisan groups as the ACLU and ACORN will turn most Arkansas citizens away from the illegal immigration agenda. Hopefully, this will show the Arkansas Republican Party that the left already has the upper hand on appeasing illegals.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Analysis: State lags in checks of illegals
BY JIM BROOKS
Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2007
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/205841/
Police in Arkansas haven’t been tracking the immigration status of suspected criminals as much as police in neighboring states do. Figures obtained from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveal that Arkansas law enforcement officials are much less likely to check whether a suspect is in the state legally, according to an analysis by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The federal entity responsible for policing the nation’s borders received more than 728, 000 queries from police through the agency’s Law Enforcement Support Center in the federal fiscal year that ended Oct. 1, 2007. Only 218 of those were sent by law enforcement agencies in Arkansas. Comparing that with the state’s Hispanic population of 138, 283, according to the U. S. Census Bureau’s 2006 estimate, police in Arkansas filed one query with LESC for every 634 “Hispanic or Latino” residents. According to the Census Bureau, “Hispanics or Latinos” are those people who “classified themselves in one of the specific Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino categories listed on the Census 2000 questionnaire” as well as those who indicate that they are “other Spanish / Hispanic / Latino.”
By comparison, Mississippi, with slightly more than 46, 000 “Hispanic or Latino” residents in 2006, generated 3, 586 queries, or one for every 12 Hispanic residents. California posted the most, with 159, 393 queries, or one for every 52 Hispanic residents in the state. For the states surrounding Arkansas, there were: 638 queries in Louisiana, one for every 193 Hispanic residents, 10, 342 queries in Tennessee, one for every 18 Hispanic residents, 2, 589 queries in Missouri, one for every 62 Hispanic residents, 1, 260 queries in Oklahoma, one for every 194 Hispanic residents, and 39, 739 queries in Texas, one for every 211 Hispanic residents. Jeffrey Walker, a criminal justice professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is a former criminal investigator in the military who has studied community changes and their impact on crime since the early 1990 s. He suggested two possible explanations for the difference between Arkansas and neighboring states.
“The first one is strictly logistical, and that is that Arkansas is still not very wired,” Walker said. “We’ve still got places where there is one [Arkansas Crime Information Center ] terminal and that is it. “ I think there are a lot of places out there where law enforcement is not using the technology,” he said. “It’s not that they’re not dealing with the people — they’re just not making the queries.” One of the agencies “out there” is the Polk County sheriff’s office in Mena, where Sheriff Mike Oglesby says his officers haven’t noticed a particular crime issue related to illegal aliens. “I don’t have a super-large [Hispanic ] population, but what we do have is in the south part of the county — in the Grannis and Wickes areas — where we have a Tyson plant,” said Oglesby, estimating that between the two towns there may be about 500 Hispanic residents in the county.
“If we find somebody that doesn’t have an ID and are causing problems, we’ll call Immigration,” said Oglesby. “But we’ve only had to do that one or two times in the past several years.” Walker suggested that officers are more focused on their primary role of policing the community and don’t want to bother with what they see as a federal function. “Another explanation is that police officers here are just not necessarily all that bent out of shape about illegal aliens,” Walker said. “They’re dealing with people and they either commit crimes or they don’t commit crimes. “ For all law enforcement, it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “If I’m driving down the street and I see a guy I suspect of being an illegal alien, I can pull him over and I can call ICE and they will eventually show up. “ But, I’ve got other things to do, so I may not be all that interested in ratting somebody around,” he said. A spokesman for ICE said the LESC query system is not a secret to police agencies. “The service is here, it’s well known or else we wouldn’t have 728, 000 inquiries,” said ICE spokesman Michael Gilhooly. “We provide a service which is available for all law enforcement nationwide,” Gilhooly said. “Why an agency chooses to use us or chooses not to is not something we have any control over.” Gilhooly said he would not identify which agencies in Arkansas filed the queries.
The problem of illegal immigration has been primarily focused in northwest Arkansas, where local and federal law enforcement officials say the bulk of crime committed by illegal aliens involves drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud or conspiracy. As a result, several law enforcement agencies in Northwest Arkansas have sent officers to train under a federal program referred to as 287 (g ). In all, 19 officers from four Northwest Arkansas law agencies — Rogers and Springdale police departments and the Washington and Benton county sheriff ’s offices — will work under the supervision of federal immigration agents to question, detain and process illegal aliens they encounter during their work. The officers completed a five-week training at ICE’s Boston field office in September. They will participate in a regional task force focused on building federal cases against illegal aliens charged with committing serious crimes.
Illegal aliens have become a growing part of the state’s population over the past two decades.
A study released in April by the Urban Institute, funded by Arkansas’ Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, indicated that of the state’s estimated foreign born population of 101, 000, half are here illegally. The Urban Institute’s estimate indicates that illegal aliens make up about 1. 5 percent of the state’s total population. According to the state Department of Correction, a look at the 14, 300 inmates in state prison in 2006 — the most recent year for which figures are available — revealed 158 illegal immigrants, or a little over 1. 1 percent of the total inmate population. In Little Rock, the state’s largest city police department, investigators say illegal aliens are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. Of the city’s 59 homicides in 2006, and 38 recorded so far in 2007, only one is believed to have been committed by an illegal alien.
On June 5, 2006, 17-year-old Bernardo Zavala was shot and killed outside an apartment complex on Butler Road in southwest Little Rock. Investigation led detectives to obtain a warrant for a 16-year-old, who police believe has fled the country and gone back to Mexico. As for robberies, only one this year is believed to have been committed by illegal aliens. “We do have quite a few cases where illegal aliens are the victims,” said Little Rock police detective Sgt. Bruce Maxwell. Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas said illegal aliens are a “shadow population,” whose distrust of law enforcement officials may make them less likely to report crimes. “These are individuals who can be victimized who sometimes feel they can’t report the crimes to police,” Thomas said. He said if the illegal alien residents of his city believed local police would be undertaking federal immigration duties, they might be even less likely to cooperate with authorities when crimes occur in their community. “That perception is there already, and because of that, there is a degree of hesitation to come forward,” the chief said. Thomas said that his officers are already having to “babysit” suspects because of the limited jail capacity, and adding the time and effort necessary to conduct immigration checks would be another burden.
“We have enough to do with our regular duties to take up what we see as a federal issue,” Thomas said. “But if there comes a point in time where we feel it is necessary to do some of those things, we’ll do them.” Thomas says his officers, if confronted with a situation, would investigate immigration violations. “If an officer has a reasonable cause to believe that a person they come into contact with is here illegally, we have things we can do,” he said. “If they don’t have paperwork, or have counterfeit paperwork, those are things we can take into account.” In those situations, police would contact ICE, the chief said.
What if an oil company's negligence had led to "only 1 murder" in a city? Would we not hear about it for a month? Because of pro-illegal government officials, it appears that we are going to have to work locally to get the police departments across Arkansas to use the 287 immigration enforcement program.
Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2007
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/205841/
Police in Arkansas haven’t been tracking the immigration status of suspected criminals as much as police in neighboring states do. Figures obtained from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveal that Arkansas law enforcement officials are much less likely to check whether a suspect is in the state legally, according to an analysis by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The federal entity responsible for policing the nation’s borders received more than 728, 000 queries from police through the agency’s Law Enforcement Support Center in the federal fiscal year that ended Oct. 1, 2007. Only 218 of those were sent by law enforcement agencies in Arkansas. Comparing that with the state’s Hispanic population of 138, 283, according to the U. S. Census Bureau’s 2006 estimate, police in Arkansas filed one query with LESC for every 634 “Hispanic or Latino” residents. According to the Census Bureau, “Hispanics or Latinos” are those people who “classified themselves in one of the specific Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino categories listed on the Census 2000 questionnaire” as well as those who indicate that they are “other Spanish / Hispanic / Latino.”
By comparison, Mississippi, with slightly more than 46, 000 “Hispanic or Latino” residents in 2006, generated 3, 586 queries, or one for every 12 Hispanic residents. California posted the most, with 159, 393 queries, or one for every 52 Hispanic residents in the state. For the states surrounding Arkansas, there were: 638 queries in Louisiana, one for every 193 Hispanic residents, 10, 342 queries in Tennessee, one for every 18 Hispanic residents, 2, 589 queries in Missouri, one for every 62 Hispanic residents, 1, 260 queries in Oklahoma, one for every 194 Hispanic residents, and 39, 739 queries in Texas, one for every 211 Hispanic residents. Jeffrey Walker, a criminal justice professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is a former criminal investigator in the military who has studied community changes and their impact on crime since the early 1990 s. He suggested two possible explanations for the difference between Arkansas and neighboring states.
“The first one is strictly logistical, and that is that Arkansas is still not very wired,” Walker said. “We’ve still got places where there is one [Arkansas Crime Information Center ] terminal and that is it. “ I think there are a lot of places out there where law enforcement is not using the technology,” he said. “It’s not that they’re not dealing with the people — they’re just not making the queries.” One of the agencies “out there” is the Polk County sheriff’s office in Mena, where Sheriff Mike Oglesby says his officers haven’t noticed a particular crime issue related to illegal aliens. “I don’t have a super-large [Hispanic ] population, but what we do have is in the south part of the county — in the Grannis and Wickes areas — where we have a Tyson plant,” said Oglesby, estimating that between the two towns there may be about 500 Hispanic residents in the county.
“If we find somebody that doesn’t have an ID and are causing problems, we’ll call Immigration,” said Oglesby. “But we’ve only had to do that one or two times in the past several years.” Walker suggested that officers are more focused on their primary role of policing the community and don’t want to bother with what they see as a federal function. “Another explanation is that police officers here are just not necessarily all that bent out of shape about illegal aliens,” Walker said. “They’re dealing with people and they either commit crimes or they don’t commit crimes. “ For all law enforcement, it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “If I’m driving down the street and I see a guy I suspect of being an illegal alien, I can pull him over and I can call ICE and they will eventually show up. “ But, I’ve got other things to do, so I may not be all that interested in ratting somebody around,” he said. A spokesman for ICE said the LESC query system is not a secret to police agencies. “The service is here, it’s well known or else we wouldn’t have 728, 000 inquiries,” said ICE spokesman Michael Gilhooly. “We provide a service which is available for all law enforcement nationwide,” Gilhooly said. “Why an agency chooses to use us or chooses not to is not something we have any control over.” Gilhooly said he would not identify which agencies in Arkansas filed the queries.
The problem of illegal immigration has been primarily focused in northwest Arkansas, where local and federal law enforcement officials say the bulk of crime committed by illegal aliens involves drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud or conspiracy. As a result, several law enforcement agencies in Northwest Arkansas have sent officers to train under a federal program referred to as 287 (g ). In all, 19 officers from four Northwest Arkansas law agencies — Rogers and Springdale police departments and the Washington and Benton county sheriff ’s offices — will work under the supervision of federal immigration agents to question, detain and process illegal aliens they encounter during their work. The officers completed a five-week training at ICE’s Boston field office in September. They will participate in a regional task force focused on building federal cases against illegal aliens charged with committing serious crimes.
Illegal aliens have become a growing part of the state’s population over the past two decades.
A study released in April by the Urban Institute, funded by Arkansas’ Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, indicated that of the state’s estimated foreign born population of 101, 000, half are here illegally. The Urban Institute’s estimate indicates that illegal aliens make up about 1. 5 percent of the state’s total population. According to the state Department of Correction, a look at the 14, 300 inmates in state prison in 2006 — the most recent year for which figures are available — revealed 158 illegal immigrants, or a little over 1. 1 percent of the total inmate population. In Little Rock, the state’s largest city police department, investigators say illegal aliens are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. Of the city’s 59 homicides in 2006, and 38 recorded so far in 2007, only one is believed to have been committed by an illegal alien.
On June 5, 2006, 17-year-old Bernardo Zavala was shot and killed outside an apartment complex on Butler Road in southwest Little Rock. Investigation led detectives to obtain a warrant for a 16-year-old, who police believe has fled the country and gone back to Mexico. As for robberies, only one this year is believed to have been committed by illegal aliens. “We do have quite a few cases where illegal aliens are the victims,” said Little Rock police detective Sgt. Bruce Maxwell. Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas said illegal aliens are a “shadow population,” whose distrust of law enforcement officials may make them less likely to report crimes. “These are individuals who can be victimized who sometimes feel they can’t report the crimes to police,” Thomas said. He said if the illegal alien residents of his city believed local police would be undertaking federal immigration duties, they might be even less likely to cooperate with authorities when crimes occur in their community. “That perception is there already, and because of that, there is a degree of hesitation to come forward,” the chief said. Thomas said that his officers are already having to “babysit” suspects because of the limited jail capacity, and adding the time and effort necessary to conduct immigration checks would be another burden.
“We have enough to do with our regular duties to take up what we see as a federal issue,” Thomas said. “But if there comes a point in time where we feel it is necessary to do some of those things, we’ll do them.” Thomas says his officers, if confronted with a situation, would investigate immigration violations. “If an officer has a reasonable cause to believe that a person they come into contact with is here illegally, we have things we can do,” he said. “If they don’t have paperwork, or have counterfeit paperwork, those are things we can take into account.” In those situations, police would contact ICE, the chief said.
What if an oil company's negligence had led to "only 1 murder" in a city? Would we not hear about it for a month? Because of pro-illegal government officials, it appears that we are going to have to work locally to get the police departments across Arkansas to use the 287 immigration enforcement program.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Two Immigration stories from freerepublic.com and a victory!
I saw these stories while browsing the website www.freerepublic.com
Illegals want more pandering from the Democrat Governor:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916280/posts
The pro-illegal crowd in Oklahoma are trying to overturn the will of the citizens with lawsuits:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1916672/posts?page=1
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Washington DC — The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) called the defeat today of the DREAM Act (S.2205) an important victory for Americans and a clear indication that the public will not be fooled by efforts to enact amnesty piece by piece. The 52-44 vote on a motion to proceed fell far short of the 60 votes necessary as the public, once again, vocally opposed amnesty legislation.
Today's failed attempt to pass the DREAM Act was the third time amnesty supporters ignored overwhelming public opposition to amnesty since June. This latest defeat should seriously discourage other efforts to reward illegal aliens and clear the way for Congress to move ahead with meaningful immigration enforcement. "Once again, it is clear that the only mandate that Congress has with regard to immigration is to enforce our laws, secure our borders, and protect our jobs," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "It's time for Congress to focus on the concerns of the American people, instead of the agenda of the people who have broken our laws." After failing to get the DREAM Act attached as an amendment to other legislation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) attempted to bring the bill to the floor as a stand-alone bill on short notice, hoping to avoid the sort of public attention that the protracted Bush-Kennedy bill attracted. FAIR, together with other immigration reform groups, and working closely with talk radio and other media, led the effort to inform the American people of this latest effort to pass an amnesty.
"Today’s vote proves that an active and informed public can prevail over the special interests who continually seek control of U.S. immigration policies," Stein continued. The defeat of the DREAM Act may also have wider implications, predicted FAIR. Other special interests had a series of amnesty bills ready to go had the DREAM Act succeeded. However, a statement made by the Act’s prime sponsor, Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), indicated that these other measures will not be considered for the remainder of this Congress. "The Senate has wasted enough time promoting legislation that would reward illegal immigrants and their employers. It is time for them to focus on immigration enforcement and attending to the many other important issues that face our nation," concluded Stein.
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_release10242007
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Congratulations to all of those who have fought against illegal immigration. We have defeated The Amnesty Bill, the Amnesty Lite Bill, and now this Amnesty if you have a child in America Bill! However, we still have a long way to go to fixing this country and Arkansas. All of these stories reflect the attitude of the pro-illegal agenda when they don't get their way. I am trying to setup a meeting in Little Rock for Nov 10th. I think I have found a place, I just have to check up on other events.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Poultry Plant Employees Charged With Hiring Illegal Aliens
(Missouri does what Arkansas needs to do)
By Marcus Kabel
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Seven employees of poultry processor George's Inc. were arrested Wednesday on federal charges of hiring illegal aliens at a Southwest Missouri plant that was raided by immigration authorities in May. John F. Wood, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said the indictments and arrests show that no one is above the law when it comes to hiring illegal workers. The seven defendants are all employees of a George's processing plant in Butterfield, about 60 miles southwest of Springfield. All seven were involved in hiring or supervising employees at the plant, Wood said.
"This is an active and ongoing investigation," Wood said at a news conference. He declined to say if that investigation includes whether people higher up in the privately owned company are suspected of knowing about the illegal hiring. Springdale-based George's did not immediately respond to phone calls and e-mail requests for comment from The Associated Press. Immigration agents and police raided the Butterfield plant in May. They arrested 136 people -- mainly from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador -- on suspicion of being illegal immigrants. Prosecutors said most of the defendants charged Wednesday were expected to be released on bail. None have yet had a hearing where they could enter a plea.
Those named in the charges are Guadalupe Castro, 32, of Verona; Brad Vansandt, 48, and Dora Ruiz, 32, both of Monett; Jody Salinas, 29, and Billy Essley, 41, both of Cassville; Gary Creed, 31, of Washburn; and Hilda Gomez, 35, hometown unknown. Wood said prosecutors would ask that Ruiz be held without bail because she is on probation for a drug conviction in New Mexico. All seven were indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts each related to hiring and harboring illegal immigrants. Those charges are felonies that each carry a maximum 10 years in prison.
In addition, Castro, Gomez, Salinas, and Ruiz were each charged with aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft for allegedly helping illegal immigrants use valid Social Security numbers from other people. Wood said that felony charge carries a maximum two year sentence that must be served on top of any other term.
_________________________________
George's claims that they will "cooperate" with the investigation. Yet when the Butterfield Plant was raided in May, the illegal-hiring company issued a press release claiming that don't practice hiring illegal aliens. I'm proud of ICE and the State of Missouri for going after this company, but since our State Attorney General Dustin McDaniel works for the Hillary Clinton Campaign, it's unlikely that there's going to be any legal action from Arkansas. Hopefully, we can change that in 2008.
Some facts about George’s Inc.
(not much info since it's a private company)
George’s Incorporated
(right next to the Sprindale Municipal Airport!)
701 Porter Ave Springdale, AR Map
(479) 927-7500 or (479) 238-1482
http://www.1800arkansas.com/reports_publications/files/Industry%20Lists/Food_and_Kindred_2006.pdf
George's, Inc. Phone 479-524-0400
Mr. Monte Terry, General Manager
Fax: 479-524-4413
14825 Russell Road
Springdale, AR 72761
Gene George, Chairman of the Board of George's, Inc.
(can't find much about him, no website)
Gary George is Vice Chairman and CEO of George's, Inc., a privately owned poultry company in Springdale, Arkansas. (Found a little bit about him)
This data is from a list of Springdale, AR Political Contributions by Individuals.
http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-SPRINGDALE-AR.html
-GEORGE, GARY(GEORGE'S INC)(Zip:72765) $1000 to FRIENDS OF BLANCHE LINCOLN 06/09/03
-George, Gary C. Mr.(George's Inc./President)(Zip: 72764) $1000 to NATIONAL CHICKEN COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE(FKA) NATIONAL BROILER COUNCIL PAC 02/09/04
-GEORGE, GARY(GEORGE'S INC)(Zip:72764) $1000 to FRIENDS OF BLANCHE LINCOLN 08/01/03
There are other contributions made to the Republican Party, but the list does not confirm that they are from George’s Incorporated. In any case, it is obvious that George's Inc. does not need guest workers since it is able to make political contributions.
By Marcus Kabel
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Seven employees of poultry processor George's Inc. were arrested Wednesday on federal charges of hiring illegal aliens at a Southwest Missouri plant that was raided by immigration authorities in May. John F. Wood, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said the indictments and arrests show that no one is above the law when it comes to hiring illegal workers. The seven defendants are all employees of a George's processing plant in Butterfield, about 60 miles southwest of Springfield. All seven were involved in hiring or supervising employees at the plant, Wood said.
"This is an active and ongoing investigation," Wood said at a news conference. He declined to say if that investigation includes whether people higher up in the privately owned company are suspected of knowing about the illegal hiring. Springdale-based George's did not immediately respond to phone calls and e-mail requests for comment from The Associated Press. Immigration agents and police raided the Butterfield plant in May. They arrested 136 people -- mainly from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador -- on suspicion of being illegal immigrants. Prosecutors said most of the defendants charged Wednesday were expected to be released on bail. None have yet had a hearing where they could enter a plea.
Those named in the charges are Guadalupe Castro, 32, of Verona; Brad Vansandt, 48, and Dora Ruiz, 32, both of Monett; Jody Salinas, 29, and Billy Essley, 41, both of Cassville; Gary Creed, 31, of Washburn; and Hilda Gomez, 35, hometown unknown. Wood said prosecutors would ask that Ruiz be held without bail because she is on probation for a drug conviction in New Mexico. All seven were indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts each related to hiring and harboring illegal immigrants. Those charges are felonies that each carry a maximum 10 years in prison.
In addition, Castro, Gomez, Salinas, and Ruiz were each charged with aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft for allegedly helping illegal immigrants use valid Social Security numbers from other people. Wood said that felony charge carries a maximum two year sentence that must be served on top of any other term.
_________________________________
George's claims that they will "cooperate" with the investigation. Yet when the Butterfield Plant was raided in May, the illegal-hiring company issued a press release claiming that don't practice hiring illegal aliens. I'm proud of ICE and the State of Missouri for going after this company, but since our State Attorney General Dustin McDaniel works for the Hillary Clinton Campaign, it's unlikely that there's going to be any legal action from Arkansas. Hopefully, we can change that in 2008.
Some facts about George’s Inc.
(not much info since it's a private company)
George’s Incorporated
(right next to the Sprindale Municipal Airport!)
701 Porter Ave Springdale, AR Map
(479) 927-7500 or (479) 238-1482
http://www.1800arkansas.com/reports_publications/files/Industry%20Lists/Food_and_Kindred_2006.pdf
George's, Inc. Phone 479-524-0400
Mr. Monte Terry, General Manager
Fax: 479-524-4413
14825 Russell Road
Springdale, AR 72761
Gene George, Chairman of the Board of George's, Inc.
(can't find much about him, no website)
Gary George is Vice Chairman and CEO of George's, Inc., a privately owned poultry company in Springdale, Arkansas. (Found a little bit about him)
This data is from a list of Springdale, AR Political Contributions by Individuals.
http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-SPRINGDALE-AR.html
-GEORGE, GARY(GEORGE'S INC)(Zip:72765) $1000 to FRIENDS OF BLANCHE LINCOLN 06/09/03
-George, Gary C. Mr.(George's Inc./President)(Zip: 72764) $1000 to NATIONAL CHICKEN COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE(FKA) NATIONAL BROILER COUNCIL PAC 02/09/04
-GEORGE, GARY(GEORGE'S INC)(Zip:72764) $1000 to FRIENDS OF BLANCHE LINCOLN 08/01/03
There are other contributions made to the Republican Party, but the list does not confirm that they are from George’s Incorporated. In any case, it is obvious that George's Inc. does not need guest workers since it is able to make political contributions.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Agents zero in on felonious aliens
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/204335/
Jose Luis Loredo told police he was in Rogers visiting his sister when they arrested him in July on charges of altering a methadone prescription. Now, they say he has ties to a Texas prison gang and was hiding out in Rogers. In Madison County, Baudillo Castillo distributed meth from his rural home near Hindsville. A federal sting in 2006 snared Castillo and some of his relatives, including a daughter charged with retaliating against a federal witness. Loredo, a Mexican national, and Castillo, of Guatemala, are increasingly the kind of people whom immigration agents pursue in Arkansas, illegal aliens committing additional and serious crimes. Illegal immigrants have become a growing part of the state’s population over the past two decades. A study released in April by the Urban Institute, funded by Arkansas’ Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, indicated that of the state’s estimated foreign-born population of 101, 000, 1/2 are here illegally.
Ten years ago, federal immigration agents in Arkansas focused on raiding poultry processing plants. Agents with what was then the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested illegal workers, put them on a plane and deported them to Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. These days, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement concentrate more on arresting illegal aliens who it believes are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud or conspiracy.
The shift occurred when Immigration and Customs Enforcement came into being in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, replacing the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is charged with finding and deporting illegal aliens. In Northwest Arkansas, illegal aliens like Loredo and Castillo soon will have more to worry about, because local police are training to work with immigration agents assigned to Arkansas. Nineteen police officers in Benton and Washington counties returned in September from training to enforce immigration law under the program known as 287 (g ). They plan to start a criminal apprehension task force and work in jails to identify illegal aliens not only for deportation but for federal prosecution. The Arkansas State Police and the Fort Smith Police Department also plan to apply to put officers in the 287 (g ) program. Since 2006, the U. S. attorney’s office in Fort Smith has prosecuted roughly 100 immigration-related cases. Most of the defendants were previously deported aliens who had returned to the United States. Unlike the plant workers who are deported voluntarily, these defendants were accused of additional crimes that elevated their illegal status to a federal criminal matter. Many are aggravated felons — aliens with felony convictions — and criminal aliens who belong to violent street gangs and who the government considers a threat. Recent federal cases include: Dozens of aliens distributing meth and other drugs in Northwest Arkansas. Aliens smuggling aliens. Aliens using forged or phony documents to obtain jobs, mortgages and welfare benefits. Aliens with ties to gangs.
Bob Balfe, U. S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, said federal prosecutors bring charges based on evidence gathered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Balfe said the 287 (g ) officers working in Northwest Arkansas will serve as a force multiplier to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has 12 agents in the western district. “Once the 287 (g ) task force is up and running, our caseload will go up dramatically,” Balfe said. “The focus of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement ] is already on conspiracy, trafficking and fraud. With 287 (g ), we expect more of these type of cases to be referred to our office. We have the capacity to prosecute these additional cases, and we’ve made it clear to [Immigration ] that we will.”
The U. S. attorney’s office in Little Rock, which covers the rest of the state, also is prosecuting immigration-related cases.
Acting U. S. Attorney Jane Duke didn’t know exactly how many cases were filed this year. “Our office has been very aggressive in pursuing these types of matters,” Duke said. “We work closely with ICE and have had a number of high-profile cases recently.” SMUGGLING In western Arkansas, virtually all the methamphetamine trafficking stems from Mexican-based producers, Balfe said. As a result, many of the federal drug cases involve Hispanics, and some are illegal aliens. Castillo helped operate a large meth trafficking ring in NW Arkansas.
Castillo and three others pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to distribute meth. Sentencing hasn’t been set. After they serve their sentences, they’re expected to be deported. The Castillo organization purchased pound after pound of methamphetamine in Texas and drove it to Northwest Arkansas hidden in vehicles, court documents state. They distributed drugs from homes in Carroll and Madison counties, and prosecutors said some proceeds were funneled back to Mexico through a money remitter business in Berryville, court documents show. They were arrested in October 2006 after federal agents wiretapped their cell phones and tracked the drug transactions. The case dovetailed into federal charges against Castillo’s daughter Karla Castillo and his nephew Leon Castillo. Karla Castillo pleaded guilty this month to retaliating against a government witness who testified against Baudillo Castillo, her father. Prosecutors said Karla Castillo damaged the informant’s car in April when they crossed paths at a Taco Bell drivethrough in Springdale.
Immigration agents have a hold on Karla Castillo, meaning they’re investigating her residency status. She is here on a visa, court documents state. Her cousin Leon Castillo was sentenced in July to three years’ probation after immigration agents said he had a forged visa. He lived with his wife and children in Rogers and worked at a Best Buy store when he was arrested in December. Attorney Chadd Mason said Leon Castillo came to the United States legally, but that he forged his visa after it expired. His immigration status came to light during the investigation into his uncle. Prosecutors said Leon Castillo wasn’t involved in the drug ring. “Leon’s been here most of his life,” Mason said. “He works and pays taxes. He’s a good kid.”
He was convicted in April of possessing a fraudulent identification document. It’s unclear whether he’ll be deported, Mason said. Leon Castillo was convicted of a misdemeanor, a crime rarely prosecuted federally. Rod Reyes, agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Fort Smith, said agents prefer to pursue aliens who are committing serious crimes. “We’d rather spend our resources on felonies” Reyes said. “Felony convictions have more of an impact. There is jail time, in addition to [deportation ].”
BACK AGAIN Illegal aliens caught in the country the first time often opt for voluntary deportation. Voluntary “removal” is an administrative action, not a criminal charge. If the alien returns, however, he’s committed a federal felony called illegal re-entry. If an alien is convicted of certain felony crimes in the United States, is deported and returns, the offense is called aggravated re-entry or “illegal re-entry of an aggravated felon.” Dozens of aliens are prosecuted every year in Arkansas for illegal and aggravated re-entry. Many have jobs and families here.
Ciriaco Sanchez-Gonzalez was convicted in April of aggravated re-entry. Sanchez-Gonzalez told immigration agents he paid a smuggler $ 1, 500 to return to the United States in 2006. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison in July. He’d been deported twice — in 2000 and again in 2006. In 2000, he was convicted in
That's the way the story ends, don't know why. When you see an Arkansas citizen hooked on Methanphetamines or hear about an overdose, you can thank those who support illegal immigration.
Jose Luis Loredo told police he was in Rogers visiting his sister when they arrested him in July on charges of altering a methadone prescription. Now, they say he has ties to a Texas prison gang and was hiding out in Rogers. In Madison County, Baudillo Castillo distributed meth from his rural home near Hindsville. A federal sting in 2006 snared Castillo and some of his relatives, including a daughter charged with retaliating against a federal witness. Loredo, a Mexican national, and Castillo, of Guatemala, are increasingly the kind of people whom immigration agents pursue in Arkansas, illegal aliens committing additional and serious crimes. Illegal immigrants have become a growing part of the state’s population over the past two decades. A study released in April by the Urban Institute, funded by Arkansas’ Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, indicated that of the state’s estimated foreign-born population of 101, 000, 1/2 are here illegally.
Ten years ago, federal immigration agents in Arkansas focused on raiding poultry processing plants. Agents with what was then the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested illegal workers, put them on a plane and deported them to Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. These days, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement concentrate more on arresting illegal aliens who it believes are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud or conspiracy.
The shift occurred when Immigration and Customs Enforcement came into being in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, replacing the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is charged with finding and deporting illegal aliens. In Northwest Arkansas, illegal aliens like Loredo and Castillo soon will have more to worry about, because local police are training to work with immigration agents assigned to Arkansas. Nineteen police officers in Benton and Washington counties returned in September from training to enforce immigration law under the program known as 287 (g ). They plan to start a criminal apprehension task force and work in jails to identify illegal aliens not only for deportation but for federal prosecution. The Arkansas State Police and the Fort Smith Police Department also plan to apply to put officers in the 287 (g ) program. Since 2006, the U. S. attorney’s office in Fort Smith has prosecuted roughly 100 immigration-related cases. Most of the defendants were previously deported aliens who had returned to the United States. Unlike the plant workers who are deported voluntarily, these defendants were accused of additional crimes that elevated their illegal status to a federal criminal matter. Many are aggravated felons — aliens with felony convictions — and criminal aliens who belong to violent street gangs and who the government considers a threat. Recent federal cases include: Dozens of aliens distributing meth and other drugs in Northwest Arkansas. Aliens smuggling aliens. Aliens using forged or phony documents to obtain jobs, mortgages and welfare benefits. Aliens with ties to gangs.
Bob Balfe, U. S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, said federal prosecutors bring charges based on evidence gathered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Balfe said the 287 (g ) officers working in Northwest Arkansas will serve as a force multiplier to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has 12 agents in the western district. “Once the 287 (g ) task force is up and running, our caseload will go up dramatically,” Balfe said. “The focus of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement ] is already on conspiracy, trafficking and fraud. With 287 (g ), we expect more of these type of cases to be referred to our office. We have the capacity to prosecute these additional cases, and we’ve made it clear to [Immigration ] that we will.”
The U. S. attorney’s office in Little Rock, which covers the rest of the state, also is prosecuting immigration-related cases.
Acting U. S. Attorney Jane Duke didn’t know exactly how many cases were filed this year. “Our office has been very aggressive in pursuing these types of matters,” Duke said. “We work closely with ICE and have had a number of high-profile cases recently.” SMUGGLING In western Arkansas, virtually all the methamphetamine trafficking stems from Mexican-based producers, Balfe said. As a result, many of the federal drug cases involve Hispanics, and some are illegal aliens. Castillo helped operate a large meth trafficking ring in NW Arkansas.
Castillo and three others pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to distribute meth. Sentencing hasn’t been set. After they serve their sentences, they’re expected to be deported. The Castillo organization purchased pound after pound of methamphetamine in Texas and drove it to Northwest Arkansas hidden in vehicles, court documents state. They distributed drugs from homes in Carroll and Madison counties, and prosecutors said some proceeds were funneled back to Mexico through a money remitter business in Berryville, court documents show. They were arrested in October 2006 after federal agents wiretapped their cell phones and tracked the drug transactions. The case dovetailed into federal charges against Castillo’s daughter Karla Castillo and his nephew Leon Castillo. Karla Castillo pleaded guilty this month to retaliating against a government witness who testified against Baudillo Castillo, her father. Prosecutors said Karla Castillo damaged the informant’s car in April when they crossed paths at a Taco Bell drivethrough in Springdale.
Immigration agents have a hold on Karla Castillo, meaning they’re investigating her residency status. She is here on a visa, court documents state. Her cousin Leon Castillo was sentenced in July to three years’ probation after immigration agents said he had a forged visa. He lived with his wife and children in Rogers and worked at a Best Buy store when he was arrested in December. Attorney Chadd Mason said Leon Castillo came to the United States legally, but that he forged his visa after it expired. His immigration status came to light during the investigation into his uncle. Prosecutors said Leon Castillo wasn’t involved in the drug ring. “Leon’s been here most of his life,” Mason said. “He works and pays taxes. He’s a good kid.”
He was convicted in April of possessing a fraudulent identification document. It’s unclear whether he’ll be deported, Mason said. Leon Castillo was convicted of a misdemeanor, a crime rarely prosecuted federally. Rod Reyes, agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Fort Smith, said agents prefer to pursue aliens who are committing serious crimes. “We’d rather spend our resources on felonies” Reyes said. “Felony convictions have more of an impact. There is jail time, in addition to [deportation ].”
BACK AGAIN Illegal aliens caught in the country the first time often opt for voluntary deportation. Voluntary “removal” is an administrative action, not a criminal charge. If the alien returns, however, he’s committed a federal felony called illegal re-entry. If an alien is convicted of certain felony crimes in the United States, is deported and returns, the offense is called aggravated re-entry or “illegal re-entry of an aggravated felon.” Dozens of aliens are prosecuted every year in Arkansas for illegal and aggravated re-entry. Many have jobs and families here.
Ciriaco Sanchez-Gonzalez was convicted in April of aggravated re-entry. Sanchez-Gonzalez told immigration agents he paid a smuggler $ 1, 500 to return to the United States in 2006. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison in July. He’d been deported twice — in 2000 and again in 2006. In 2000, he was convicted in
That's the way the story ends, don't know why. When you see an Arkansas citizen hooked on Methanphetamines or hear about an overdose, you can thank those who support illegal immigration.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Mexican Opposition Protesters Tear Down Statue of Former President Vincente Fox
Sunday , October 14, 2007
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301606,00.html
BOCA DEL RIO, MEXICO — Opposition protesters egged and then tore down a bronze statue of former Mexican President Vicente Fox down on Saturday, just hours after it was erected.
Workers put up the commemorative statue before dawn in the city of Boca del Rio, in Veracruz state. But by 9 a.m. some 100 angry protesters, many of them members of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, surrounded the figure. Fox, of the conservative National Action Party, ended 71 years of PRI rule with his historic election in July 2000.The crowd launched eggs at the statue, fastened a rope around its neck and pulled it to the ground, breaking off the right hand and damaging the base. One man danced atop the statue, while another strummed a guitar and sang songs insulting Fox.
BOCA DEL RIO, MEXICO — Opposition protesters egged and then tore down a bronze statue of former Mexican President Vicente Fox down on Saturday, just hours after it was erected.
Workers put up the commemorative statue before dawn in the city of Boca del Rio, in Veracruz state. But by 9 a.m. some 100 angry protesters, many of them members of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, surrounded the figure. Fox, of the conservative National Action Party, ended 71 years of PRI rule with his historic election in July 2000.The crowd launched eggs at the statue, fastened a rope around its neck and pulled it to the ground, breaking off the right hand and damaging the base. One man danced atop the statue, while another strummed a guitar and sang songs insulting Fox.
"We came to represent society because we don't want this monument here," said Adolfo Mota, a PRI lawmaker in Mexico's lower house of congress who led the protest. "As residents of Veracruz, it strikes us as an act of provocation."Boca del Rio Mayor Francisco Gutierrez de Velasco, a member of Fox's party, condemned the acts but said municipal police did not intervene because the statue is the state's property. An inauguration ceremony scheduled for Sunday was canceled until further notice. Fox has been fighting allegations since September that he illegally enriched himself during his presidency, and Mexico's congress opened an investigation into the charges.
This lazy corrupt dictator is traveling the US peddling his new book "Revolution of Hope". From what I've seen in reviews and interviews, the book is only the millionth attempt to blame America for Mexico's poverty. There is some condemnation of the PRI, Fox's political opponents in Mexico who's 70 years of corruption is even worse than his own. The main theme of the book appears to be that the Fox administration was a rags to riches fairytale and nothing was his fault. We can only hope that lazy corrupt leaders like Fox will end up like Mussolini, Nicolae Ceauşescu, and other dictators; judged by those they exploited. Here are some of the accomplishments of the Fox Administration along with some video footage:
Over 600 gruesome murders of women went unsolved in Juarez, Mexico.
80% of crimes go unreported in Mexico City because of police corruption.
Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico and the world has a monopoly on 90% of the telephone lines. 10 of the 26 Latin American billionares live in Mexico.
$2.3 billion goes to bribing Mexican Government officials, with the poorest paying 14% of their income in bribes.
Mexico's Unemployment rate is 40% and over 53% of Mexico's people are below the poverty line.
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ARRA News has a link to a real hero forgotten by the Mainstream Media:
http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/2007/10/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor.html
ARRA News has a link to a real hero forgotten by the Mainstream Media:
http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/2007/10/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor.html
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Immigration Report Not Coming (This is actually a good thing!)
By John Henley Jr. THE MORNING NEWS
I thought this section would look better at the front
At A Glance Just Communities
Just Communities of Northwest Arkansas has been around for about 10 years. It was once affiliated with the National Conference for Community and Justice (another leftist group), but is now a part of the national network of Just Communities. Just Communities advances diversity (by not allowing the public), challenges assumptions (blames America) and advocates for understanding and respect through cultural awareness (with lawsuits,protest, and claims of racism), diversity education and training (claim racial profiling), according to the group's Web site. Just Communities began calling meetings for Dialogue for Solutions in November. The group sponsored meetings with community leaders with the stated purpose of finding alternative solutions to the immigration issue. The report was supposed to be published in early-to-mid 2007, but wasn't. Source: Staff Report
ROGERS -- A proposed report from Just Communities on local immigration issues isn't going to happen. Ana Lorena Hart said Wednesday the group would not be issuing the report that was to be titled "Dialogue for Solutions." Just Communities sponsored a few community meetings where people gathered to discuss immigration, Hart said. A report was to be based upon the information gathered during the meetings. The report was to include specific recommendations on immigration issues in Rogers (how to stop immigration reform).
However, the representation of the people gathered to provide input was not broad enough (I wonder why?) Hart said, adding that those attending did not adequately reflect the people of Rogers. Hart did not elaborate on what was meant by "broad enough." Hart said she thought the endeavor was successful in that Just Communities was able to gather people together and start a positive dialogue on what had been a negative issue: immigration. The outcome of those meetings has been implemented, Hart said, citing a meeting with Mayor Steve Womack as evidence. However, Womack said he hasn't spoken with Hart or anyone else from Just Communities since the conclusion of the meetings.
Womack said he spoke with Don Bland before the meetings commenced. Bland (perfect name for a liberal) is the chairman of Just Communities Board of Directors. The meetings took place at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Womack said, adding that the sessions were not open to the public. Womack did not attend any of the meetings, although he said several residents called City Hall to complain that the meetings were closed to the public. (so much for diversity!)"This is what frustrates me about this whole thing," Womack said. "Everyone agrees there is a problem with illegal immigration in the United States, but no one ever came back to us with any alternative solutions."
original link to story
I thought this section would look better at the front
At A Glance Just Communities
Just Communities of Northwest Arkansas has been around for about 10 years. It was once affiliated with the National Conference for Community and Justice (another leftist group), but is now a part of the national network of Just Communities. Just Communities advances diversity (by not allowing the public), challenges assumptions (blames America) and advocates for understanding and respect through cultural awareness (with lawsuits,protest, and claims of racism), diversity education and training (claim racial profiling), according to the group's Web site. Just Communities began calling meetings for Dialogue for Solutions in November. The group sponsored meetings with community leaders with the stated purpose of finding alternative solutions to the immigration issue. The report was supposed to be published in early-to-mid 2007, but wasn't. Source: Staff Report
ROGERS -- A proposed report from Just Communities on local immigration issues isn't going to happen. Ana Lorena Hart said Wednesday the group would not be issuing the report that was to be titled "Dialogue for Solutions." Just Communities sponsored a few community meetings where people gathered to discuss immigration, Hart said. A report was to be based upon the information gathered during the meetings. The report was to include specific recommendations on immigration issues in Rogers (how to stop immigration reform).
However, the representation of the people gathered to provide input was not broad enough (I wonder why?) Hart said, adding that those attending did not adequately reflect the people of Rogers. Hart did not elaborate on what was meant by "broad enough." Hart said she thought the endeavor was successful in that Just Communities was able to gather people together and start a positive dialogue on what had been a negative issue: immigration. The outcome of those meetings has been implemented, Hart said, citing a meeting with Mayor Steve Womack as evidence. However, Womack said he hasn't spoken with Hart or anyone else from Just Communities since the conclusion of the meetings.
Womack said he spoke with Don Bland before the meetings commenced. Bland (perfect name for a liberal) is the chairman of Just Communities Board of Directors. The meetings took place at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Womack said, adding that the sessions were not open to the public. Womack did not attend any of the meetings, although he said several residents called City Hall to complain that the meetings were closed to the public. (so much for diversity!)"This is what frustrates me about this whole thing," Womack said. "Everyone agrees there is a problem with illegal immigration in the United States, but no one ever came back to us with any alternative solutions."
original link to story
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Arkansas justice getting better, Federal justice getting worse
Second Person Pleads Guilty To Harboring Illegal Aliens
By Ron Wood THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE - A Springdale man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to helping harbor illegal aliens. Prosecutors say Honorato Pedroza, 47, and others provided illegal aliens a place to stay and jobs at two local restaurants, so they could avoid detection. Gema Rivera-Soto, 42, pleaded guilty to the same charges Tuesday. In a deal with prosecutors, Pedroza agreed to plead guilty to one count of a four indictment, aiding and abetting the harboring illegal aliens. The other counts are expected to be dismissed as part of the plea deal at sentencing.
Pedroza was facing up to 35 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines. (I want to know what he's facing now) The charges, which also included money laundering, arose from May 21 raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Agents arrested 15 adult Mexican nationals and four juvenile Mexican nationals in the May 21 raids, dubbed Operation "El Rancho Tejocote." Two adults from El Salvador also were arrested. The investigation began after federal agents allegedly found Pedroza using a Social Security number that wasn't his.
According to a Grand Jury indictment, Rivera-Soto and Pedroza transferred more than $337,000 out of the country. Prosecutors said much of the money came from the harboring illegal immigrants. Sentencing hearings for Pedroza and Rivera-Soto have not yet been set.
Nice to hear some good news. Lets hope that some Sutton prosecutor doesn't come in and try to sue the ICE Agents!
---------------------------------------------
Judge halts immigrant crackdown
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1909630/posts
By Ron Wood THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE - A Springdale man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to helping harbor illegal aliens. Prosecutors say Honorato Pedroza, 47, and others provided illegal aliens a place to stay and jobs at two local restaurants, so they could avoid detection. Gema Rivera-Soto, 42, pleaded guilty to the same charges Tuesday. In a deal with prosecutors, Pedroza agreed to plead guilty to one count of a four indictment, aiding and abetting the harboring illegal aliens. The other counts are expected to be dismissed as part of the plea deal at sentencing.
Pedroza was facing up to 35 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines. (I want to know what he's facing now) The charges, which also included money laundering, arose from May 21 raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Agents arrested 15 adult Mexican nationals and four juvenile Mexican nationals in the May 21 raids, dubbed Operation "El Rancho Tejocote." Two adults from El Salvador also were arrested. The investigation began after federal agents allegedly found Pedroza using a Social Security number that wasn't his.
According to a Grand Jury indictment, Rivera-Soto and Pedroza transferred more than $337,000 out of the country. Prosecutors said much of the money came from the harboring illegal immigrants. Sentencing hearings for Pedroza and Rivera-Soto have not yet been set.
Nice to hear some good news. Lets hope that some Sutton prosecutor doesn't come in and try to sue the ICE Agents!
---------------------------------------------
Judge halts immigrant crackdown
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1909630/posts
Saturday, October 06, 2007
WASHINGTON COUNTY : Task force arrest nets charge in U.S. court
BY MICHELLE BRADFORD (nwanews.com)
Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2007
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/203503/
The first person arrested by Northwest Arkansas’ newly formed immigration task force was charged Friday with a federal crime. Heriberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 44, was charged in U. S. District Court in Fayetteville with illegal re-entry by an aggravated felon. He’s being held without bond. A complaint alleges Gonzalez-Rodriguez returned to the United States after being deported to Mexico in 2006. He was arrested Sept. 24 when he went to the Washington County sheriff’s office (before going to the welfare office), to register as a sex offender (he must have been confident in the illegal alien lobby!) the complaint states. Police learned Gonzalez-Rodriguez was convicted in 1999 of sexual abuse in Benton County Circuit Court. Court papers filed in the federal case don’t show his sentence from the state court. Gonzalez-Rodriguez was deported in August 2006 (I guess we should assume he served 7 years?). At the time, he worked at Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies in Springdale, court records show.
When he was arrested last month, Gonzalez-Rodriguez was working under his brother’s name at Superior Industries in Fayetteville. He was arrested by the Immigration Criminal Apprehension Task Force (A force that wouldn't exist if the ACLU/MALDEF/ Mexican Consular Office had it's way), made up of specially trained officers from the Washington and Benton County sheriff’s offices and the Springdale and Rogers police departments. Under the federal 287 (g ) program, 19 officers from four Northwest Arkansas law enforcement agencies are working with federal immigration agents to arrest and deport illegal aliens who are committing other crimes Authorities didn’t release Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s name until Friday when he was charged in federal court. The Washington County sheriff’s office said it was told by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that a federal regulation prohibits state or local agencies from releasing information about federal immigration detainees who are held in state or local jails. Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Jak Kimball said information can’t be released until a detainee is charged or arrested on suspicion of a crime. In Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s case, he was held on a civil immigration violation until Friday, when he was charged with a crime.
Can someone in the media please ask Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies & Superior Industries how an illegal alien sex offender managed to get a job working for them and who else is working at these companies? What would be their response if Rodriguez had assaulted someone? I wonder if the media would care if these had been energy companies like Enron or Haliburtion?
The ACLU supports both sex offenders and illegal aliens, meaning Rodriguez is the kind of person they want to help. Don't be too suprised if a lawsuit occurs. The Mexican Consulate may claim he was racially profiled. Below is some information about these poor companies that either can't hire Americans or were fooled by an illegal dumb enough to walk into the sherriff's office. Anyway, thanks to the efforts of immigration reform activist, a sex criminal should be on his way to deportation instead of staying in Arkansas.
____________
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies-Gross Profit $20,245,000 for 2006
More financial info here:
http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/ExtendFund.asp?selected=AERT&symbol=AERT
Joe Brooks, President and CEO http://www.aertinc.com/index.aspP.O. Box 1237 Springdale, Arkansas 72765 Phone: 479-756-7400 Fax: 479-756 7410mailto:7410InvestorRelations@aertinc.com
____________
Superior Industries- Net Sales $ 789,862,000 for 2006
FAYETTEVILLE PLANT1901 Borick DriveFayetteville, Arkansas 72701 Phone: 479.443.7870 Fax: 479.443.4522
http://www.supind.com/index.html
Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2007
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/203503/
The first person arrested by Northwest Arkansas’ newly formed immigration task force was charged Friday with a federal crime. Heriberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 44, was charged in U. S. District Court in Fayetteville with illegal re-entry by an aggravated felon. He’s being held without bond. A complaint alleges Gonzalez-Rodriguez returned to the United States after being deported to Mexico in 2006. He was arrested Sept. 24 when he went to the Washington County sheriff’s office (before going to the welfare office), to register as a sex offender (he must have been confident in the illegal alien lobby!) the complaint states. Police learned Gonzalez-Rodriguez was convicted in 1999 of sexual abuse in Benton County Circuit Court. Court papers filed in the federal case don’t show his sentence from the state court. Gonzalez-Rodriguez was deported in August 2006 (I guess we should assume he served 7 years?). At the time, he worked at Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies in Springdale, court records show.
When he was arrested last month, Gonzalez-Rodriguez was working under his brother’s name at Superior Industries in Fayetteville. He was arrested by the Immigration Criminal Apprehension Task Force (A force that wouldn't exist if the ACLU/MALDEF/ Mexican Consular Office had it's way), made up of specially trained officers from the Washington and Benton County sheriff’s offices and the Springdale and Rogers police departments. Under the federal 287 (g ) program, 19 officers from four Northwest Arkansas law enforcement agencies are working with federal immigration agents to arrest and deport illegal aliens who are committing other crimes Authorities didn’t release Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s name until Friday when he was charged in federal court. The Washington County sheriff’s office said it was told by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that a federal regulation prohibits state or local agencies from releasing information about federal immigration detainees who are held in state or local jails. Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Jak Kimball said information can’t be released until a detainee is charged or arrested on suspicion of a crime. In Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s case, he was held on a civil immigration violation until Friday, when he was charged with a crime.
Can someone in the media please ask Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies & Superior Industries how an illegal alien sex offender managed to get a job working for them and who else is working at these companies? What would be their response if Rodriguez had assaulted someone? I wonder if the media would care if these had been energy companies like Enron or Haliburtion?
The ACLU supports both sex offenders and illegal aliens, meaning Rodriguez is the kind of person they want to help. Don't be too suprised if a lawsuit occurs. The Mexican Consulate may claim he was racially profiled. Below is some information about these poor companies that either can't hire Americans or were fooled by an illegal dumb enough to walk into the sherriff's office. Anyway, thanks to the efforts of immigration reform activist, a sex criminal should be on his way to deportation instead of staying in Arkansas.
____________
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies-Gross Profit $20,245,000 for 2006
More financial info here:
http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/ExtendFund.asp?selected=AERT&symbol=AERT
Joe Brooks, President and CEO http://www.aertinc.com/index.aspP.O. Box 1237 Springdale, Arkansas 72765 Phone: 479-756-7400 Fax: 479-756 7410mailto:7410InvestorRelations@aertinc.com
____________
Superior Industries- Net Sales $ 789,862,000 for 2006
FAYETTEVILLE PLANT1901 Borick DriveFayetteville, Arkansas 72701 Phone: 479.443.7870 Fax: 479.443.4522
http://www.supind.com/index.html
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Mexico to bolster immigrant defense
Mexico puts more effort to abandon it's people
08:21 AM CDT on Thursday, October 4, 2007
ALFREDO CORCHADO and DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News
(This is from leftist propogandist, hence the comments in red)
The Mexican government (The property of Carlos Slim, Drug Cartels, and other monopolies) is giving its consulates in the U.S. (one of these cancers is in Little Rock, Arkansas) wide latitude to ramp up a campaign to toughen their defense of immigrants and plans to give them more resources as well, officials familiar with the strategy said. The move comes as deportations reach an all-time high in the toughest crackdown in decades by the U.S. government and police authorities. (not tough enough) Among the actions under discussion are the creation of an anti-defamation league similar to that focused on protecting Jews (Jews created a civilized nation while under attack from Islamic regimes and don't blame the US for every problem they have. The Mexican "Government" has squandered a nation rich in resources and has abandoned it's people to Communist and Drug Cartels) budget increases for some of the 47 consulates, especially in regions such as North Texas, where Mexican migration has been swift and plentiful; and a media campaign aimed at counteracting groups opposed to illegal immigration (keeparkansaslegal and the majority of Americans) and sometimes legal immigration. The effort underscores the tension in U.S. communities grappling with problems created by illegal immigration. And it is sure to further incense groups demanding a crackdown on immigration, both legal and illegal. "Our fight is no longer inside the Beltway," said one senior Mexican official, who agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity. (what's he afraid of?) "We have been forced to change our strategy."
(The tiny section devoted to those opposed to illegal immigration)
But Jean Towell, (who has the integrity to give his name) president of Dallas-based Citizens for Immigration Reform, called the move "arrogant," saying that the Mexican government does not "have the right to meddle in our affairs." "They have come out before saying it is wrong for us to meddle in Mexico's affairs," she said. "They are losing human capital. It would be better if they provided the right kind of incentives to keep their people there. It is a no-brainer." Mexican government officials gave few additional details about the plan but said it would cover 11 million first-generation citizens, half of whom live in an "irregular migratory situation." Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, said the plan "is guaranteed to backfire." "They may feel that if they want an amnesty, they have to try," he said. But "they are going to be directly engaging in American politics. (they have been for decades) That is something American consuls would be deported for." (and we don't have 47 consuls in one country) Mr. Krikorian said he was surprised by the new approach because Mexico's U.S. ambassador, Arturo Sarukkhán, usually chooses his words so carefully.
(End of the section to those opposed to illegal immigration)
Mr. Sarukkhán could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. Mexico City meeting Nearly two dozen U.S.-based immigrant leaders, including North Texans, flew to Mexico City recently to meet with senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry to discuss the strategy. The Foreign Ministry and its Institute for Mexicans Abroad, or IME, is carrying out the government's plan. Mario Ramírez, a Dallas businessman and Mexican immigrant who attended the meeting, said he knows his loyalty to the U.S., as a naturalized citizen, will be questioned. But "as descendants of Mexicans and citizens of the United States, we feel it is our responsibility to create bridges of understanding because the anti-Mexican (it's anti-illegal immigration not anti-Mexican) mood in the United States is causing us – and both countries – much harm," he said. "What do we have to lose anymore? We've been beaten up to the point that all we can do is fight back. ... Things will get worse before they get better."Foreign Ministry officials called the meeting part of a strategy by President Felipe Calderón to "reinforce consultations and communications with organizations dedicated to the defense of the rights of migrants (not to the rights of Mexicans in Mexico)."
Quiet diplomacy has failed, said those at the Mexico City meeting (By quiet, you mean the massive amnesty marches last year?). As evidence, they pointed to what they call the "venomous" immigration debate and the death of legislation this summer to overhaul U.S. immigration laws. "There is a sense that nothing will happen in the next two years in the U.S. Congress, so Mexican immigrants (illegals) are determined to keep the issue alive and defend themselves with efforts like funding their own anti-defamation league," Andres Rozental, a former Mexican ambassador and private consultant, told The Dallas Morning News last month. "That in itself is quite an impressive statement." A more vigorous defense of immigrants (illegals), over time, might bring politicians back to the negotiating table, some said. The Mexico City meeting took place Sept. 15, the start of Mexico's Independence Day festivities. Hours later, at the National Palace, Mr. Calderón gave the traditional grito of independence from Spain. Revelers in Dallas viewed a taped message in which Mr. Calderón boldly expressed his disappointment over the "lack of political goodwill" (the US caving) that led to the failure of an immigration overhaul.
More illegal alien whining / The other half of the story here:
(Mexico to bolster immigrant defense)
Freerepublic comments here:
freerepublic.com illegals story
08:21 AM CDT on Thursday, October 4, 2007
ALFREDO CORCHADO and DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News
(This is from leftist propogandist, hence the comments in red)
The Mexican government (The property of Carlos Slim, Drug Cartels, and other monopolies) is giving its consulates in the U.S. (one of these cancers is in Little Rock, Arkansas) wide latitude to ramp up a campaign to toughen their defense of immigrants and plans to give them more resources as well, officials familiar with the strategy said. The move comes as deportations reach an all-time high in the toughest crackdown in decades by the U.S. government and police authorities. (not tough enough) Among the actions under discussion are the creation of an anti-defamation league similar to that focused on protecting Jews (Jews created a civilized nation while under attack from Islamic regimes and don't blame the US for every problem they have. The Mexican "Government" has squandered a nation rich in resources and has abandoned it's people to Communist and Drug Cartels) budget increases for some of the 47 consulates, especially in regions such as North Texas, where Mexican migration has been swift and plentiful; and a media campaign aimed at counteracting groups opposed to illegal immigration (keeparkansaslegal and the majority of Americans) and sometimes legal immigration. The effort underscores the tension in U.S. communities grappling with problems created by illegal immigration. And it is sure to further incense groups demanding a crackdown on immigration, both legal and illegal. "Our fight is no longer inside the Beltway," said one senior Mexican official, who agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity. (what's he afraid of?) "We have been forced to change our strategy."
(The tiny section devoted to those opposed to illegal immigration)
But Jean Towell, (who has the integrity to give his name) president of Dallas-based Citizens for Immigration Reform, called the move "arrogant," saying that the Mexican government does not "have the right to meddle in our affairs." "They have come out before saying it is wrong for us to meddle in Mexico's affairs," she said. "They are losing human capital. It would be better if they provided the right kind of incentives to keep their people there. It is a no-brainer." Mexican government officials gave few additional details about the plan but said it would cover 11 million first-generation citizens, half of whom live in an "irregular migratory situation." Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, said the plan "is guaranteed to backfire." "They may feel that if they want an amnesty, they have to try," he said. But "they are going to be directly engaging in American politics. (they have been for decades) That is something American consuls would be deported for." (and we don't have 47 consuls in one country) Mr. Krikorian said he was surprised by the new approach because Mexico's U.S. ambassador, Arturo Sarukkhán, usually chooses his words so carefully.
(End of the section to those opposed to illegal immigration)
Mr. Sarukkhán could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. Mexico City meeting Nearly two dozen U.S.-based immigrant leaders, including North Texans, flew to Mexico City recently to meet with senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry to discuss the strategy. The Foreign Ministry and its Institute for Mexicans Abroad, or IME, is carrying out the government's plan. Mario Ramírez, a Dallas businessman and Mexican immigrant who attended the meeting, said he knows his loyalty to the U.S., as a naturalized citizen, will be questioned. But "as descendants of Mexicans and citizens of the United States, we feel it is our responsibility to create bridges of understanding because the anti-Mexican (it's anti-illegal immigration not anti-Mexican) mood in the United States is causing us – and both countries – much harm," he said. "What do we have to lose anymore? We've been beaten up to the point that all we can do is fight back. ... Things will get worse before they get better."Foreign Ministry officials called the meeting part of a strategy by President Felipe Calderón to "reinforce consultations and communications with organizations dedicated to the defense of the rights of migrants (not to the rights of Mexicans in Mexico)."
Quiet diplomacy has failed, said those at the Mexico City meeting (By quiet, you mean the massive amnesty marches last year?). As evidence, they pointed to what they call the "venomous" immigration debate and the death of legislation this summer to overhaul U.S. immigration laws. "There is a sense that nothing will happen in the next two years in the U.S. Congress, so Mexican immigrants (illegals) are determined to keep the issue alive and defend themselves with efforts like funding their own anti-defamation league," Andres Rozental, a former Mexican ambassador and private consultant, told The Dallas Morning News last month. "That in itself is quite an impressive statement." A more vigorous defense of immigrants (illegals), over time, might bring politicians back to the negotiating table, some said. The Mexico City meeting took place Sept. 15, the start of Mexico's Independence Day festivities. Hours later, at the National Palace, Mr. Calderón gave the traditional grito of independence from Spain. Revelers in Dallas viewed a taped message in which Mr. Calderón boldly expressed his disappointment over the "lack of political goodwill" (the US caving) that led to the failure of an immigration overhaul.
More illegal alien whining / The other half of the story here:
(Mexico to bolster immigrant defense)
Freerepublic comments here:
freerepublic.com illegals story
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Police Agencies Sign Agreement for Immigration Enforcement
From KATV:
Location: Rogers
Posted: October 02, 2007 12:37 PM EST
Rogers (AP) - Four northwest Arkansas police agencies have signed an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. The 19 trained officers from the Rogers and Springdale police departments and the Benton and Washington county sheriff's offices will work on a newly created local task force with ICE agents. The agreement allows the officers to check the immigration status of the people they arrest and begin deportation proceedings against those in the country illegally.
ICE officials said the local task force also would be able to target money laundering investigations, human trafficking, and document frauds and gangs. So far, ICE says it has trained nearly 600 officers nationwide under the local partnership program. They credit the program with identifying more than 26,000 people who have possible immigration violations. The Arkansas State Police also is examining joining the ICE program.
http://www.katv.com/news/stories//460253.html
___________________________________
If you think opposition to illlegal immigration is racist, check out some supporters of illegal immigration here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5ZMLUgvpFw
Location: Rogers
Posted: October 02, 2007 12:37 PM EST
Rogers (AP) - Four northwest Arkansas police agencies have signed an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. The 19 trained officers from the Rogers and Springdale police departments and the Benton and Washington county sheriff's offices will work on a newly created local task force with ICE agents. The agreement allows the officers to check the immigration status of the people they arrest and begin deportation proceedings against those in the country illegally.
ICE officials said the local task force also would be able to target money laundering investigations, human trafficking, and document frauds and gangs. So far, ICE says it has trained nearly 600 officers nationwide under the local partnership program. They credit the program with identifying more than 26,000 people who have possible immigration violations. The Arkansas State Police also is examining joining the ICE program.
http://www.katv.com/news/stories//460253.html
___________________________________
If you think opposition to illlegal immigration is racist, check out some supporters of illegal immigration here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5ZMLUgvpFw
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