| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/13/2006 3:38:37 PM | Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Proposed anti-illegal immigrant law worries Hispanics in Dallas suburb
Updated: 4:07 p.m. ET Nov 12, 2006
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas - This Dallas suburb could become the first city in Texas to adopt a sweeping ordinance intended to keep out illegal immigrants, a cause for concern among its large minority population.
More than 50 municipalities nationwide have considered, passed or rejected laws banning landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants, penalizing businesses that employ undocumented workers and making English the local official language.
But until now, that trend hasn’t been matched in the Lone Star State.
This is the first town in Texas that had the guts to do what’s right,” Susie Hart, who grew up in Farmers Branch, said during a recent demonstration outside City Hall. “The education system is tanking, health care has gone through the roof, everybody is bilingual.”
Such sentiments and the proposed ordinance trouble many people in Texas, where many Latino families can trace their roots here to the era before statehood.
“This is not just a Farmers Branch problem,” Elizabeth Villafranca said of the proposal.
Villafranca, whose family owns a Mexican restaurant in Farmers Branch, said she worries that such laws will spread to other cities if the City Council approves the proposal. The measure is expected to be submitted to the council on Monday, but there was no indication when it might be put to a vote.
Since 1970, Farmers Branch has changed from a small, predominantly white bedroom community with a declining population to a city of almost 28,000 people, about 37 percent of them Hispanic, according to the census.
It also is home to more than 80 corporate headquarters and more than 2,600 small and mid-size firms, many of them minority-owned.
The local debate over illegal immigration began in August and spawned demonstrations by both sides of the issue. Council members adopted a resolution criticizing the federal government for not aggressively addressing the issue.
A councilman has given city attorneys drafts of an ordinance that would make English the city’s official language and proposals to fine companies and landlords who do business with illegal immigrants.
The Farmer’s Branch proposal follows a vote this year in Hazleton, Pa., to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, deny business permits to companies that employ them and require tenants to register and pay for a rental permit.
However, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the Hazleton ordinance while he considers a lawsuit against the town by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.
More than a dozen other Pennsylvania cities have taken up similar ordinances, as have several others in the South and a handful in California.
To this I say great...lets get the ball rolling and stop the insanity... and see how many more states follow thru. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/13/2006 4:01:51 PM | ^^^^^^
To the Hispanics who have lived in Texas before Texas became a state.... What in H are you worried about? The those who are there illegally....... you do have something to worry about.... and rightfully so....
Anybody with half a brain knows that if you allow people to enter in a disorderly fashion, you wil have chaos.... Which rather aptly describes the situation in MANY areas of the US. Other than those who feel there shouldn't be any borders at all, or that the USA is an illegitimate state, or any other such silly conspiracy theorists, what part of the word ILLEGAL do you not understand....
This is a result of the Feds not taking care of business, for whatever reason, and both sides are to blame, and the local populaces see that there HAS to be an end. The Feds could very easily remove alll incentive to illegal immigration by prosecuting a few large illegal employers harshly, and the would largely solve the problem. Since the local municipalitites see that this is not going to happen, they have to do the Feds work for them... Sad, but true.
PK | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/13/2006 4:05:55 PM | http://cbs11tv.com/politics/local_story_308223141.html
Vandals Target Farmers Branch Mayor's House
'English Only' Debate May Have Sparked 'Viva Mexico' Message
CBS 11 News) Vandalism hit close to home this weekend for Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps.
As CBS 11 first reported at 6 p.m. Saturday, the mayor discovered Friday morning vandals had spray painted "viva Mexico" on the side of his house.
By Saturday afternoon, the bright red letters had been blasted off with a high pressure wash, but some say the damage to community may be harder to fix.
"This is what happens when a community is filled with clash and conflict," Carlos Quintanilla, with the Farmers Branch LULAC, said.
The controversy stems from a city proposal to make English the official language in the city.
In addition, the proposition --- introduced by Councilman Tim O'Hare in August --- would make it illegal in Farmers Branch for businesses to hire, and for apartment complexes to lease to, illegal immigrants. Those caught would face fines.
"It's just a shame it had to happen," the mayor said. "I hope they are caught, punished and prosecuted."
Members of a Hispanic who rallied in protest against the city proposition also want the culprit caught.
Quintanilla said he doesn't want these actions to create an even bigger rift in the community.
"If it happened to the house of the mayor, it could happen anywhere," he said.
The city council will address the issue in executive session at the Nov. 13 meeting. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/13/2006 9:50:20 PM | I say great for Texas. People are tired of the laws not being enforced here. I am sure many more cities and states will follow. Arizona has been doing similar things lately with ballot proposals last week against illegals that passed overwhelmingly.
However, the title of this article I believe is not appropriate. I don't like it when some in the media use the term nativism to describe anyone who is against illegal immigration. The definition of nativism I found is this: "Advocating the perpetuation of native societies".
Now if this town in Texas were passing laws against ALL immigrants legal and illegal, then the author of this article would be justified in using the nativism term. In this case though, I believe its definitely misleading and uncalled for and it happens much too often in the media. I find it often shows the bias of the author when the term nativism or nativist(or xenophobic or racist) is used against people or organizations who are anti-illegal immigration but pro-legal immigration. Most peole who are in this country legally(including me) are pro-legal immigration(in reasonable and sane numbers)and anti-illegal immigration. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/14/2006 11:33:07 AM | Regardless of my feelings about the illegal immigaration proble - it IS a problem - I really get concerned when municipalities and states take on issues the Federal Government should retain jurisdiction on.
It will only take one case to the Federal Court of Appeals to be heard in the U.S. Supreme Court on 14th Amendment grounds. THEN, the judges will legislate law, or not, instead of the lawmakers.
I sympathize with the frustration of states bordering Mexico and those others affected by the burden of illegal immigrants on the education systems, health care systems, and law enforcement, not to mention the economies.
But, to taunt court intervention is not a good idea because that will remove local control altogether, and, lacking federal backup in terms of boots on the ground, well, vigilanti's and others will add to the frustration and chaos.
Enforcement of laws on the books is a good start. Creating more laws or ordinances just compounds the problem for now.
DS | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/14/2006 5:35:20 PM | What does the article mean by "keep out illegal immigrants"? How do you keep out those who are already here and living and prospering? Makes no sense!
To the Hispanics who have lived in Texas before Texas became a state.... What in H are you worried about? The those who are there illegally....... you do have something to worry about.... and rightfully so....
Cus it legalizes discrimination against all Hispanics because most people on the street will report you because you look "illegal". Thats of great concern to me because I've been stopped by immigration officers before just because I fit their profile. Of course, I'm innocent (and who would deny it, even if they were "illegal"?). Now I'm not going to tell you whether I'm a US citizen or not because thats not the point here. The point is that I dont deserve to be stopped, hassled, interrogated, humiliated, etc. while others who don't fit the profile go scott free. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/15/2006 1:35:29 AM | DHARMASHOP, I disagree with you. Court intervention by the local and federal Supreme Courts is exactly what is needed. That way they make the laws and by pass that mess in Washington altogether.
With laws in place that are basically handed down by the Supreme Courts, then the local law enforcement officers can help and the federal situation should not matter as much.
The point being is that there are laws on the books that aren't being enforced federally and that puts the states and counties and cities in the position of having to write their own laws to enforce to get on solid legal ground with doing anything about the problem. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 11/15/2006 5:41:16 AM | Some of my concerns being a Texan..
When they protest with signs that say "VIVA LA MEXICO"
And they are screaming that as they walk?
And I live in a area that is almost total hispanic now..
We have so many drive by shootings, and most of them
do not have auto insurance, and on weekends they get drunk
and run all the stop signs and if they hit you they just drive off..
They even drove up in our yard too hit a parked vehicle,
then just fled the scene..
It's really a horrible situation, and nobody cares too do anything
about it.. Any suggestions?
 | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 8/18/2007 2:24:12 PM | | I agree. Illegal is illegal. There is no racism in illegal. My ancestors were already here when the white man landed, but then my other side came through the Statue of Liberty, papers in hand with honesty, pride, integrity and honor. This is the core of America and if we loose this kind of character base....it will be the demise of our great country. Greed brings illegals here and greed hires them. The Federal government does nothing because it is on the "take" with big, bad, money-greedy lobby groups who, by the way, run our country because we have so many dishonest law makers and this has to change. My belief is For the people, by the people....we need to get back to our constitution and bill of rights. Anyone should be able to run for any elected position and the media should give fair air play. Research who is running, write letters, get people together...look at what the grassroots did with the bad Amnesty Bill that old, clueless Bush wanted to pass.....giving a free-ride to millions of illegals. Just slap the face of every hard working American of all colors. It is the fault of the illegal parents that they purposely had children in America. Look at the cheese problem. Their own people have no regard for their children. It is sad for these kids, but it is the fault of their parents. Living here for over 10 -20 years and not learn English...are you kidding me....I worry about this....ignorance (dare I say) or plain laziness ? This population which does not believe in birth control will be one of the highest populations in the South...this is scary. They don't pay taxes, they don't follow the laws, they display the American Flag underneath their Mexican flag...they take advantage of the free health care and education ...all paid by US Citizens. It is time to end this free ride. It is time for the government to penalize those who hire them. There are too many wonderful Immigrants, right now, in line after paying the money and filling out forms, self-motivated by their wonderful character, the same character of all our ancestors to include: honor, pride, honesty and integrity. The only racists are the latin groups who try to make it such. It is illegal and this is not fair to the American people of all colors. Check out grassfire.org American speak out. | |
|
| Nativist fears cause concern in Farmers Branch
Posted: 8/18/2007 2:28:37 PM | | You thoughts have no basis. Ever look at an American...we are black, brown, yellow, white and then some.....we are of all cultures.... This is a weak argument. If you are truly an American of any color, you have nothing to worry about. It might help if you learn our language which is English...not Spanish. There is discrimination all over the place and it is wrong, but if you are being honest...there is nothing to worry about. | |
|
|
Home
login 
