GRIEGO: ICE departure program an absurdity
By Tina Griego, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 6, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.
From the back pages of the newspaper: Operation We Can Do This the Easy Way or the Hard Way.
In another example of the absurdity passing for immigration policy in this country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week launched Scheduled Departure, a pilot program in five cities.
Denver is not one of them. Not yet, anyway.
It goes like this: An illegal immigrant who has no criminal record, but who is here in violation of a previous deportation order (called a "fugitive alien") can show up at an immigration office and say: Here I am and I'm ready to go home.
Presto, whammo, the paperwork gets started, the fugitive may - no guarantees - have up to three months of supervised freedom to tidy his or her affairs, and it's back to the mother country.
Now, the vast majority won't be able to return for five to 10 years. Not legally, anyway. That's the penalty for violating a deportation order, and it's not going away. But, hey, ICE is saying to the fugitives, look at the bright side: You don't have to worry that one day you will be swept up in a raid, wrenched from your family and left to stew for who knows how long in a detention center.
ICE says that of the 572,000 fugitives in this country, 457,000 do not have criminal histories and so are eligible for Operation Express Checkout Lane.
I can't say I blame ICE for cooking up this public relations nonsense. It's taking heat for its raids, which will continue. Scheduled Departure sets up a classic damned-if-we-do, damned-if-we-don't scenario. We can, in part, thank our paralyzed, polarized Congress for this.
I don't know who would take this offer, not when we're this close to a new administration, not with the risk of getting thrown in the slammer and that bar on legal re-entry hanging overhead.
Still, on Monday one person showed up at immigration's Phoenix office. He was from Estonia.
I call the Maintenance Man. He's been here illegally almost 10 years now, has been steadily employed with an out-of-thin-air Social Security number that still hasn't caught up with him. He's working two jobs. His wife and children returned to Mexico four years ago. His eldest son is now 18, he tells me.
One day, the Maintenance Man says, he will go back, and it strikes me that when he does he will return to a son who has become a man and perhaps that man will be angry at his father for the choice he made.
This is how I pay for their home, for their school, the Maintenance Man says. He tells me he's going to stick around to see if a President Obama or President McCain will fight for illegal immigrants like him: taxpayers, no criminal record, lengthy uninterrupted stay in this country. Both candidates are at least touting comprehensive immigration reform, though McCain, the co-sponsor of legislation that would have achieved that, has hardened his position, joining the enforcement-first crowd.
The Maintenance Man wouldn't qualify for Operation One Way Ticket because he's never been issued a deportation order, but he does think people will come forward, especially in places like Los Angeles. Too much danger from patrolling ICE agents, he says. You can't walk down the street; you can't ride in a car.
I don't get it. If a person decided to up and leave, you'd think he'd just leave. Who needs ICE for that?
"The whole thing is a parody, like something you would see on Monty Python," says Ricardo Martinez of Padres Unidos.
Martinez is part of a large, multi-state group organizing an immigration reform march here in Denver during the Democratic National Convention.
So, how many people are you thinking will show up, I ask him. "I don't know," he says. "Maybe 20,000."
Wow, I say, I thought you might be thinking in the hundreds.
No, he says, thousands.
The groups planning the march want an end to the workplace raids and the construction of a wall along the Mexican-U.S. border, a path to legal residency and citizenship, passage of the DREAM Act, which would allow young people whose parents brought them here as children to become citizens if they attend college or serve in the Armed Forces.
It's this last group that has me most preoccupied these days. I met a girl not too long ago while visiting a high school ROTC office. She came in wearing her uniform and it was laden with medals and ribbons. Her hair was in a neat little bun. Polished, I thought when I saw her. We got to talking. Turned out she'd graduated, but was still returning to the school's ROTC program.
Well, are you interested in joining the Armed Services, I asked her.
I tried, she said, but I have asthma.
What about college, I asked.
Can't afford it, she said.
We talked more. She admitted she was here illegally. Her parents brought her here when she was 3. She will be 19 in November.
The incongruity was jarring: an illegal immigrant in a military uniform of this country - ready, willing and unable to serve.
Such wasted talent.
This high school graduate and the thousands like her are at dead ends. The Maintenance Man separated from his family. The desperate men and women who will try to cross a desert, wall or not, and die. And yes, too, the criminal illegal immigrant, slipping through the cracks of a broken system, sowing destruction.
This, all of it, is the price of absurdity.
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August 6, 2008
11:06 p.m.
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Creative_N_Denver writes:
What I would like to know is how this young lady was able to get a free education? I couldn't register my children without a birth certificate or social security card! There are numerous young people in Colorado that are going to the local schools and are here illegally. Many are hard working, but it is the ones who feel they are owed something that I have a problem with. Our government has allowed this to go on for so long that in order to return someone back to their home of record, you would have to send Grandma and Great- Grandma etc... back too!
I don't know if this new approach by ICE will work. I guess they need to look like they are doing something, so they will continue to get paid!
August 7, 2008
6:50 a.m.
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Mike_In_Hartsel writes:
They still sugar-coat "illegal immigrants" forgetting the illegal part. Her bias is obvious. She's a bleeding-heart who wants open borders. The "illegal immigrants" are becoming more militant and more demanding.
August 7, 2008
7:22 a.m.
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SanctuaryCity writes:
ICE should treat illegal immigration as a capital crime, period. Round them up and send them to Texas for trial. That will eliminate the $300 billion plus a year costing the taxpayers for their illegal presence.
August 7, 2008
7:32 a.m.
scottd3 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 7, 2008
7:55 a.m.
T1anda writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 7, 2008
9:53 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
The raids need to continue, and be done more often. I could care less if families are torn apart, these identity stealing criminals should be in jail! I have lost all compassion for illegals, now I am just angry!
August 7, 2008
10:11 a.m.
bajarat writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 7, 2008
11:13 a.m.
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GDLgringo writes:
Thank you scottd3 and shaggy. I use your posts for error corrections in order to teach my Mexican students English here in Guadalajara, Mexico. They read your posts and correct your grammar and spelling. It's also useful for generating conversation. They all agree about a countries right to sovereignty and secure borders and believe that people should enter any country legally and not work unless legally able to do so. They disagree that it should be a capital offense or that it would be feasible or economically possible to deport all of them.
By the way, some of them want to learn English because they sell millions of dollars of Caterpillars (here in Mexico) made by the good folks in Peoria, Illinois and need to speak (in English) to their tire suppliers in Brazil and their spare parts suppliers in China and English is the language of the business world. Welcome to 2008. Without NAFTA they would be selling more tractors made in Russia and South Korea and the Cat stockholders and factory workers would suffer the consequences.
They also want to be able to speak English when they take their kids skiing in Vail; contributing thousands of dollars to the tourist industry in Colorado. Google how much legal Mexican tourists spend every year in the US. Because of the irrational hysteria generated by Lou Dobbs and other pinheads and ditto heads I’ve had friends denied visas to come and spend thousands of dollars to come play tourists in the US.
I didn’t need to Google the penalties for working illegally in Mexico because until recently I was working illegally here in Mexico. I went down to Migracion and paid a US$150.00 fine and a US$190.00 fee for an FM/3- permission to legally work in Mexico.
August 7, 2008
12:10 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Ahhh, I was waiting for an apologist comment, Gringo was right on time!
August 7, 2008
1:32 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
GDLgringo, defend all you want! Lou Dobbs wouldn't have to say one word about the illegal invasion from Mexico.
The truth speaks loudly to this American, as I watch foreigners undercut the value of American labor,as I learn how illegals commit every crime in the books on American soil.
How many people have drivin by a construction site?? The workers are speaking in a foreign tounge. No American laborers to be found!!!!
How about America's fast food restaurants?? Jobs that were held by American teens and older retired people do not exist anymore!!
How about service oriented jobs. Cleaning,landscaping,etc.
No American's to be found there either!!
I could go on and on and on....................!
Question Gringo, who the hell do you think did these type jobs before the foreign invasion into this country???? You would be correct if you said AMERICAN'S
You can insult posters here,and write your snide little posts all you want about the virtues of Mexico and her people. I am sick of Mexican's coming here to undercut American wages and squeeze American's out of their vocations and earnings!! The American employers who hire them should be incarcerated PERIOD!!
GDLgringo have your students look up the words dishonesty, dishonorable and respect!!
August 7, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
Gee, to bad more people didn't get to read my first post!! The truth hurts sooo bad!!! I wasn't disrespectful in any way!! Read my other post quick before certain people smack this one down also!!
Whatsa matter?? Tina and her readers can't handle the FACTS about illegals??
August 7, 2008
3:11 p.m.
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Brittanicus writes:
There should be no excuse for violations of any Immigration law, or any law. That includes Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A): they broke Federal law. It states, "..a person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) When a citizen or permanent resident breaks a law, if caught we immediately end up in front of a judge.
I have been reading more and more the lenient sentences illegal aliens get or even a slap on the hand. Obama, McCain, Governors, Mayors, Councilors, City managers take notice! 80 percent of the American people are watching! Not just Postville, Iowa meatpacking facility were in violation of the law. How many more nefarious companies out their, violating safety and immigration laws.
When ICE knocks on the door eventually--as they will, under the Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088).
NUMBERSUSA has all the answers to the pestilence called OVERPOPULATION
August 7, 2008
5:30 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
All I said was the Mexicans demonstrate in our streets and fly that ugly Mexican flag and demand rights they do not have in the United States! I also related how Mexico thinks the U.S. owes their people a living and does not take responsibility for her own citizens!
I mentioned that these illegals don't give a darn about America. Their loyalty remains with Mexico. They have no respect for the U.S. or her citizens what so ever!!
Once again, why do we have to "press one" for English in our own country? Why do we have to accomodate illegals with street signs, labels, interpreters?? Is it because these people refuse to learn America's common language? English!
Zap me if you will, but I say these people are dishonorable and common criminals. They sneak into our country and steal jobs from low-end American citizens! They inundate our healthcare providers and our educational systems! They commit every crime in the book!! What's to like about having these people here?? They do nothing but damage to America! They have cost the taxpayer billions of dollars!! What have they givin us in return??? NOT MUCH!!!
Thanks so much to the yellow-bellied politicians who have thrown American's under the bus by allowing these sneaks to stay in our country!!!
ALL illegals should have to return to their country of origin and go through the legal procedures required by America's immigration policys!! It is a slap in the face to LEGAL applicants to allow these people a path to citizenship because they have been dishonest and broken America's laws by sneaking into this country!
I repeat.. I welcome LEGAL immigrants with open arms!
If people refuse to enter this country honestly and honorably then I say STAY AWAY!!!
August 7, 2008
10:01 p.m.
raoul writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 7, 2008
10:10 p.m.
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MileHighPatriot writes:
I thought the article was rather objective, and I liked it. It didn't apologize or excuse illegal immigration, but rather questioned ICE tactics. ICE as a whole is a distraction from the real problem: The Border!
Anyway, I don't think the Mexican flag is ugly, but no flag should fly higher than ours -in this country.
Also, very good observation of the young lady in uniform, yet denied service in the Army. Our system is so illogical it hurts.
August 7, 2008
10:32 p.m.
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clyde writes:
I see Tina is once again showing her respect for the Laws of the Land. Mr. Maintenance Man has been here illegally for ten years, protected by Ms. Griego. Thank you, Tina. I will look up your address and file a complaint with ICE. One by one, we can send the illegals home.
August 8, 2008
10:46 a.m.
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Jade12 writes:
Great story, shows the humanity in these people. I wouldn't trade places with them for anything in the world. I can't imagine what it must be like to not be able to feed your family and literally watch them starve to death. So they come here looking for work cleaning our toilets and watching our kids while we treat them like scum.
August 8, 2008
11:42 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
A sad truth Jade12, is that people all over this planet watch their children starve and suffer needlessly for various reasons. Including corrupt governments. Should we just send transportation and pick up every one of them from their countries of origin?? We have MILLIONS of illegals straining our economy, negatively impacting our neighborhoods,our jobs, our healthcare systems,our schools, our penal system, etc,ect!! How many more millions of impoverished people, worldwide, should we allow into this country?? When is enough, enough Jade12???
August 8, 2008
12:23 p.m.
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raoul writes:
Gringo's not worth a 3 cent page hit to post on this article. Zero credibility on the subject matter from Gringo. Hey RMN's, keep your censoreship up and you won't get a dollar's worth of page hits from this trash. kinda like your print subscription business biz going down the toilet.
August 9, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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Coco writes:
GDLgringo -You should have your students correct the numerous grammar & punctuation errors in YOUR post (a semi colon is used when a phrase can act as a separate sentence, i.e. has a subject & a verb); when "country" is possessive, it is country's not countries (plural).
We are not saying we have any problem with folks coming up from Mexico to enjoy a vacation; we have no problem with folks in Mexico working at a good job, learning English, or even coming to the US LEGALLY to work. It's kind of like when someone comes to your home - you have the option to invite them in and share a meal or not. They don't have the option to just come on in without permission and help themselves to that leftover fried chicken in your fridge. Now, if that is the way you want to run your house, have at it - but not in my house, not on my watch.
August 9, 2008
12:07 p.m.
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Jade12 writes:
See I know a little about this. The truth is most economists find that immigrants (even those that come without papers) has a small positive effect on the economy and no effect on the vast majority of people's wages and a almost insignificant on those without high school degrees.
I don't believe in just giving money away to help people but if they want to work and in the process keep their family from dying. I can agree to that. We give too much in aid that goes to corrupt politicians, when we should be giving people jobs.
August 9, 2008
6:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ted1333 writes:
"ICE should treat illegal immigration as a capital crime, period. Round them up and send them to Texas for trial. That will eliminate the $300 billion plus a year costing the taxpayers for their illegal presence."
==========================================
What a wonderful post. . .
Do you not realize that each trial will cost money? Instead of spouting off just anything that comes to mind why not try and think of a REAL solution? Deporting 12 million people has a cost associated with it, are you willing to bear that cost? And before you answer keep in mind that you are just going to have to IMPORT more immigrants to fill the roles of those you just deported.
Wait, what is that you say? "Americans will fill those roles!"
Tell that to Arizona business owner, Sheridan Bailey. After having to fire a bunch of his workforce when the tough AZ immigration laws went into place he has been having a hard time finding any LEGAL replacements.
Wait, what is that you say? "Maybe he should pay them a living wage!"
Well I am glad you brought that up as he has raised the pay to $20.00 an hour, which comes to (20 an hour at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks) a little more than $40,000 a year before taxes.
Now I don't know about you, but $40,000 a year IS a living wage and yet some how Mr. Bailey is having trouble finding any LEGAL residents to take the jobs.
What do you say to Mr. Bailey? Every action has a consequence and the consequence of AZ new immigration laws have led to this:
"Bailey says he recently signed a deal to outsource some production to Mexico. Arizona, like the rest of the nation, is facing high energy prices, a housing downturn and an impending recession."
Now do you feel better about the situation?
Hopefully some day, the anti-immigration crowd will realize that without immigrants this country would be in shambles.
Sources:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPT...
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/di...