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Group rallies on Longley Bridge in support of DREAM Act

Pattie Reaves
Pattie Reaves, Web Editor
Lewiston-Auburn |
Saturday, December 4, 2010

LEWISTON — Children of immigrants who have spent most of their lives in the United States should not be forced to go back to a country they don't know.

So said a group of students and community members who gathered in Veterans Park on Friday to support the Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors, known as the DREAM Act.

The group rallied with signs and bullhorns near Longley Bridge to voice their support of immigrant children and, in particular, Selvin Arévalo, a 24-year-old Portland man who was born in Guatemala, has lived Maine for the past 10 years, and faces deportation at the end of the month.

Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert was among the speakers at the rally. He said he is a first-generation American citizen, and if he had to go back to Canada after growing up and being educated in the United States, he would have no sense of family or citizenship or community. And that would be fundamentally unfair.

"We need young people to contribute," Gilbert said. "We need young, educated people. We need people to serve in our military. And the DREAM Act will make that possible."

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the DREAM Act before the end of the year.

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

jhf's picture

DREAM Act

By jhf, unverified — Sun, 12/05/2010 - 13:25

As a retired Border Patrol Agent, I of course have an opinion on this. (And, yes, I do know what opinions are like.)

I'm a "restrictionist" on immigration and belong to several groups of like-minded people. We believe that illegal immigration should be stopped and that legal immigration should be reduced to about 200-300 thousand per year.

Still, many of us believe that the DREAM Act would pass easily, if it were limited to children who were brought here when very young, who have really known only the U.S., and who have proven that they want to pursue studies or join the military. Also, none of the various versions of the DREAM Act have any substantial enforcement provisions.

U.S. CIS is the agency that would have to administer the program, and U.S. ICE is the agency that would have to enforce the Act, if there were any enforcement. Neither of these agencies, due to no fault of their own, are able to adequately carry out their present duties; they're understaffed and under-resourced. If the DREAM Act passed, they'd have perhaps as many as 2 million more applications for amnesty to deal with.

There are many other bad points in the Act; they can be found through a search on the internet.

Regarding illegal aliens in the workforce, very few people realize that Maine has a law making it illegal to "knowingly employ" illegal aliens. (Title 26:Labor and Industry; Chapter 7: Employment Practices. Subchapter 9: ALIENS; section 871; Illegal employment of aliens).

And on April 9, 2004 Governor Baldacci signed an Executive Order making Maine the first sanctuary state in the country for illegal aliens. State employees are very restricted in asking "clients" about their immigration status.

Do you suppose we could prevail upon Governor-elect LePage to enforce the Maine law against employing illegal aliens and to issue an Executive Order repealing Gov. Balcacci's sanctuary Executive Order?

Paul L's picture

See Ya

By Paul L, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 19:24

See Ya

RReady15's picture

Just say no to anchor babies.

By RReady15, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 17:31

Just say no to anchor babies.

KimberBeth's picture
verified

Civil Rights Act (1866); 14th Amendment (1868)

By Kimber Murphy-Hunt, verified user — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 12:09

The Civil Rights Act of 1866, followed by the 14th Amendment in 1868, were enacted to ensure the citizenship of the children of freed slaves... and in direct correction of US 393 (Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857) which ruled that freed slaves and their descendants were NOT citizens of the United States, and therefore had no legal rights as outlined in our Constitution. While the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," it was never intended to be used to support ILLEGAL immigration. Its wording, however, has allowed it to be used for just that purpose.

At that point in US history, the issue of ILLEGAL immigration had not reared it's ugly head. People arrived here from foreign lands in great numbers. In 1882, the government started paying more attention. Restrictions were placed on WHO could enter. Then came the Immigration Act of 1924 which closed our borders to HOW MANY could enter ("mass immigration"). People of other nations are still welcome to immigrate LEGALLY.

The laws exist. They are "Constitutionally" correct. We only need enforce them. Perhaps it's time to reexamine the 14th Amendment so that it's not abused further.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/amend14.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1866
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0060_0393_ZO.html
http://www.path.coe.uh.edu/seminar2002/week2/immigrant_facts.html

tron's picture

you hit the nail on the head,

By tron, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 13:40

you hit the nail on the head, this isn't a national problem, it's a republican problem. It is the republicans who decided to create 'legal' vs 'illegal' AND they didn't even try and change the Constitution of the United States, they just passed a law. It amazes that the party for discrimination refuses to take responsibility for their actions.

freyt's picture

Tron

By freyt, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 17:28

Wrong. It is a national problem. Big time national problem. This country has to put solving the worlds problems on the back shelf for awhile, and concentrate on the problems here within our borders. America first, the rest of the world second.

KimberBeth's picture
verified

Correct, yet incorrect at the same time...

By Kimber Murphy-Hunt, verified user — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 14:38

Yes, Tron... it was "those nasty Republicans" who had the nerve to allow freed slaves the right to citizenship.

I find it a bit irrational that you want to label the entire Republican party (from 1868 to present day) "for discrimination."

fatandhappy's picture

Good point Kimberbeth

By fatandhappy, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 13:30

But still, as you said:

" While the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States,"

Illegal aliens were neither born here, nor have they went through the naturalization process, so the 14th Amendment doesn't even apply to them. In fact, it really proves the point that they are in fact illegal, because if they were legal then they could apply for naturalization and be covered by this amendment.

So, to me, the 14th is a case against the illegals, not for them.

KimberBeth's picture
verified

fatandhappy, you misunderstood my point

By Kimber Murphy-Hunt, verified user — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 14:29

You and I are in agreement.

fatandhappy's picture

Oh, I know KimberBeth

By fatandhappy, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 14:33

Maybe I didnt phrase my post right. I was trying to add to what you posted, not dispute it. I totally agree with you.

skippy's picture
verified

This is a difficult situation

By Ray Frechette, verified user — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 08:59

This is a difficult situation with no easy correct answer. Hopefully it will not be rammed through Congress like our recently enacted healthcare legislation was. There is merit to offerring citizenship to illegal aliens who were brought to this country illegally by their parents as children. One of things to be considered is to make it easier for immigrants, esp. the Hispanics who migrate through our southern border to come in legally esp. the workers we need. Many of them only want to come here to work and save money so they can return home. They do not want to live in U. S., just work here. Not too many Americans want the work they do. If we make it possible to come in legally, we will not need the FENCE to keep them out. As far as most illegals, we need to get them out, and to punish all who hire them. There is no reason to allow anyone to break the law. The first thing we need to do is change the immigration laws.

ojhuig's picture

another idiotic head-in-the-sand issue.

By ojhuig, unverified — Fri, 12/03/2010 - 19:57

Un-documented workers are a big part of out economy. The same people who refuse to understand this are the ones who would shout to the rafters if asked to pay what things would really cost. How bout we just being them out into the daylight and get them on the tax rolls? You're already paying for their education and health care. Then we would be able to take the ones who are the gangsters and drug lords, and deport them.

fatandhappy's picture

Dream Act is just another entitlement program for illegals

By fatandhappy, unverified — Fri, 12/03/2010 - 21:39

So called "un-documented workers" are really criminals that broke the law to be here.

And the Dream Act will give people even more incentive to come here illegally, just another entitlement to attract more problems at our borders and more strain on our social programs and more financial burden on our hospitals with non-paying, non-insured fugitives.

That's what illegal aliens really are, they are fugitives and they need to be arrested and deported.

Head in the sand? People that have their head in the sand are the ones that don't understand that we need to take away the incentives to come here illegally in order to secure our border. We have gangsters, druglords and terrorists crossing our border at will. Why, because the southern border is such chaos with all of the Mexicans crossing that terrorists from other countries have no problem crossing with them.

If we impose a $100.000 fine on employers for each illegal alien (fugitive) that they hire, then the jobs will dry up and the illegals will go home. Then, when they get home to Mexico, they can apply to come here legally.

I am from Arkansas and my wife is from south Texas, so we are very familiar with illegal aliens and their affect on the economy and the community. There are many Americans out of work that would love to have these jobs at places like Tyson Foods that the illegals are occupying now. You say that illegals are important to our economy? Hogwash, they either take the legitimate jobs, that do hold out taxes, from Americans, or the employer pays them cash money for less than minimum wage, which is illegal to begin with. As far as the migrant farm work, the US government has a migrant farm worker visa for Mexicans to enter during the season to work, they don't have to swim the Rio Grande.

BTW, I have stood in the middle of the bridge between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo and watched the Mexicans cross. They have spotters on the American side and when the Border Patrol has passed and the coast is clear they give a signal to the Mexican side, and suddenly the water comes alive with hundreds of people splashing their way to America. Of course the Border Patrol expects this so when the Mexicans start reaching our shore they show up in force and the chase begins. This is the funny part to watch, Mexicans running everywhere, our police trying to run them down without much results.....it's a game that goes on every day.

Americans need these jobs that the illegals are taking. And we need our borders secured from terrorists and drug smugglers.

Ajax's picture

The more things change

By Ajax, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 13:27

The more they stay the same....

http://www1.assumption.edu/users/McClymer/tahcourse2/Chinese.html

ojhuig's picture

sorry, I disagree.

By ojhuig, unverified — Fri, 12/03/2010 - 22:07

The crooked companies that hire illegals and then refuse to pay a living wage, will have to come up to par when the guest worker program is finally passed. Only then will illegals stop streaming across the border for jobs, because Americans will want the jobs. In the meantime, we need to acknowledge the ones who are here, precisely because we need to stop giving a free healthcare ride to non-taxpayers. Get them paying in like the legal ones. Instead we pretend they don't exist or blame them for trying to survive. Bring them into the sunlight and then the drug lords can be routed out.

armymom's picture

Not always crooked companies these are crooked employees

By armymom, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 17:07

You are so wrong. I have a family member in another state in the construction industry. They have always operated 100% legal hiring only United States Citizens, pay good wages, workers compensation and unemployment insurance on ALL their employees who were all paid over the table with social security, taxes, and everything paid which has made it difficult at times for them to bid competitively since many companies are owned and operated by illegals who do not pay taxes or carry workers compensation or pay into unemployment. A couple of years ago two illegals provided false documentation to my family members company to be hired and within two months these two had on the job "accidents" the first of this company in more than ten years. The insurance company paid out for quite sometime then for some how the feds discovered the falsification contacted the insurance company and my family member to notify them that these people where using stolen identities and were actually illegals. They were picked up and deported. A couple of months ago my family member got a notice from an attorney in the United States that they and the company are being sued by these two who apparently have seeked back into the country and are looking for another bite at the insurance fraud apple for the "accidents." These two have picked the wrong people to mess with however because my family member and the insurance company instead of negotiating with the attorney are working with the feds to have these two deported again.

fatandhappy's picture

"guest worker "

By fatandhappy, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 00:16

A truely guest worker is one that is here invited. Get it? Guest=Invited. A "guest" doesn't sneak in illegally.

And, the emplorers that depend on illegal aliens will only increase wages when the illegals are no longer available.

And, you still keep ignoring the fact that they are criminals, fugitives from justice for coming here illegally to begin with. And it doesn't matter if it is their parents fault, they are still here illegally, and are fugitives from justice.

Stop the Dream Act and then start fining employers of illegal aliens $100,000 per person, and the problem will end.

But, if you pass the Dream Act, then even more Mexicans will have the incentive to enter out country illegally.

STOP THE ENTITLEMENTS FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!!!

Ajax's picture

Sad

By Ajax, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 08:11

These are children we are talking about. Human beings. They are not fugitives or illegal. I read stuff like this and wonder what happened to basic human compassion. Has 20 years of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk bled common decency out of us.

fatandhappy's picture

Wrong Ajax

By fatandhappy, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 08:23

They are illegal. Yes, they are human beings, but they are citizens of Mexico, not the US, and they were brought here illegally.

Passing the Dream Act will only increase the incentive for even more parents to cross the border illegally so that their children will receive the benefits of it.

I don't get your logic. How is wanting the illegals, children and all, to return to Mexico indecent? They have houses with electricity and running water, they will grow up just fine in their own country. And if they want to return here then they need to apply and do it legally.

How does this reasoning lack compassion? And how are we treating them as less than human? All I am asking is that they follow the law and come here legally. Is asking this from them showing a lack of compassion?

But yes, they are illegal, and they hide from the law and that makes them fugitives.

Limbaugh has nothing to do with it.

northwoods's picture

Ajax, its not like border

By northwoods, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 08:21

Ajax, its not like border patrol is going to babys out of its mothers arms and through it across the border. The whole family will go home. If you think about it the Dream Act is inhumane because it will let the kids stay and send the parents home. Wait ... a minute.. I bet the libs wants the whole family to stay too. The sh!t heads

veritas's picture
verified

There's no 'Illegal' workers without Illegal Employers....

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 01:08

Many of these 'Illegal' employers have been fined - and it's merely passed off as a cost of doing business.

Put them in a jail cell for five years - and you'll have a different outcome.

freyt's picture

The problem is....

By freyt, unverified — Sat, 12/04/2010 - 03:48

an estimated 12 million illegal aliens and 9.8% unimployment. During the "great depression" all non citizens were deported. Including the ones with work visas. During WWII work visas were issued for enough workers to cover for the men fighting the war. When WWII ended they were again sent home to allow jobs for our servicemen returning home. I think the time has come again. Deport all illegals and shut the borders to everyone until we can get this country strong again. If need be deport the ones with work visas also. It doesn't make sense to allow immigrants into this country if there is not enough work for the people already here. According to F.A.I.R.(immigrationsupport.com)2007 estimates a population of 5000 illegal aliens in Maine. The annual fiscal cost to Maine taxpayers for emergency medical care, education, and incarceration is currently around $5,000,000.00.. Political correctness will not solve the problems of this country.

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