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Every little bit helps, right?? Town by town, and state by state, we WILL rid ourselves of illegals!? |
Waukegan stands by deportation decision ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION | Protesters on both sides come out in force July 17, 2007 BY NORMAN PARISH AND LEONARD N. FLEMING Staff Reporters WAUKEGAN -- Despite the presence of opponents inside and protesters outside its chambers, the Waukegan City Council voted Monday to stand by a controversial decision to join federal efforts to deport violent undocumented offenders. The vote to back the council's decision last month to expand immigration powers and deportation proceedings was 8-2, with Mayor Richard Hyde making a special point of voting to support the measure. "I feel wonderful," Hyde said in an interview after the vote. "This is one of the best things that has happened to this city." 禄 Click to enlarge image Lilia Paredes, vice president of the Chicago Metro Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement joins hundreds of other protesters outside of Waukegan's City Hall in speaking out against the 287(g) measure. (Michael Schmidt/News-Sun) 禄 Click to enlarge image Hundreds of police officers dressed in riot gear were on hand during the rally and protests against the 287(g) measure at Waukegan's City Hall. There were no reported incidents and the march was peaceful. (Josh Peckler/News-Sun) PHOTO GALLERY 鈥?287(g) Waukegan vote RELATED STORIES 鈥?Council holds its ground 鈥?County offices close early due to rally 鈥?Police presence keeps protest peaceful 鈥?Court ruling splits ticket distribution 鈥?Street alive with debate over 287(g) Hyde said the enforcement measure will better help police deal with crime, streamline the deportation process and get rid of illegal immigrant offenders more quickly. Maricela Fajardo, a 32-year-old Waukegan store manager, left the meeting disappointed. "I don't agree with this," she said. "This wasn't right. I think it is just discrimination." More than 100 motivated opponents spilled out as soon as the vote was taken, while authorities prepared for trouble, donning riot gear and holding police dogs on leash. Moving forward with the federal 287(g) authorization would ultimately mean Waukegan police could obtain authority to begin deportation proceedings for illegal residents convicted of violent crimes and drug violations. Earlier Monday, the street outside the municipal building in the far north suburban city was inundated with more than 3,000 people -- mostly Hispanics -- who held a loud but peaceful protest rally. "I just want to see justice for everyone," said Carlos Torres, a 49-year-old salesman whose family has been in the United States for a generation. He clutched a miniature American flag. "We were made by God. My family has helped make this country," Torres said. "They [the City Council] are not fair. We need justice." But there were about 50 proponents of the measure, like Phillip Dill, 52, of Waukegan, who held a dueling rally of sorts. "I want the illegals out of here," said Dill, who also held a small American flag. "I don't have a problem with the people who are legal. I think that [the proposed law] should be tougher." Two black and two Hispanic council members were among those casting votes on the expanded enforcement -- with one black and one Hispanic showing their support for the controversial measure. Came from North Carolina Waukegan officials were ready for the face-off, as more than 100 police officers from various law enforcement agencies -- some on horseback -- worked the barricaded crowd. Protesters who lined Martin Luther King Drive likened the city ordinance to racial profiling. Various signs excoriated the council over the issue. One exclaimed, "Forget Iraq, Waukegan has its own private war with the Mexicans." Ramon Becerra, president of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, called for a boycott for businesses that don't support their cause. He said that 200 companies out of 1,200 are backing him. "We will not compromise," Becerra said. "We will not negotiate. We will use every inch of our resources to make sure we defeat this administration." The main speaker for those supporting the measure was William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration. He traveled from Raleigh, N.C., to witness the vote. "Waukegan has become a central battle against illegal immigration," Gheen said. "We don't want to see Waukegan backing down to mob rule." Since the federal government is failing in it's duty to protect the nation, citizens and sovereignty, it has fallen to the states and communities to do so. As pro-illegal supporters mount challenges to these laws and efforts, I will be there to support those laws and protest attempts to challenge them. The reaction in states and communities should be seen as a wakeup call for the federal government, and they should intensify efforts for the benefit of citizens and legal immigrants only. I will continue my efforts to encourage the government at all levels to enforce laws and put a halt to illegal aliens in our nation. A final halt. thats not going to happen, shut down like farmers branch. I give it a week or two at the most before federal law intervenes. I can't imagine how destitute one must be to leave one's family, home and country in order to secure a menial job. Truly, this is an economic problem that must be solved on both sides of the border. First and foremost, employers hiring illegal workers should be held responsible Deport them. How are we violating the rights of people who are hear illegally? They have no rights as a citizen. I support Waukegan 100%. I will do all I can to help rid our country of illegal aliens, also. It's time for Americans to stand up for America. We don't want or need illegal aliens, our immigration policy is generous compared to most countries and we've been taken advantage of for too long. Yes, and hopefully more towns and states will catch on and start doing the right thing. Yes,it would be great to see every state doing their part. The federal government is not doing their job so quite simply,someone has to. Kudos to to Waukegan for stepping up to the plate! |
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