By Mariano Castillo, CNN
(CNN) - When Erika Andiola's mother and brother were detained by immigration agents this month, she jumped to action.
She summoned the help of undocumented youths like herself, known as DREAMers, and within hours, immigration officials were flooded with dozens of phone calls.
Andiola's mother and brother were released.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say the detention of the pair and their eventual release had nothing to do with Andiola's activism.
But that does not dampen her spirit. As far as she is concerned, the DREAMers snatched her mother from the brink of deportation.
"For us to get them to do that, it takes a lot of pressure," she said.
Her work, along with other DREAMers, has increasingly become a powerful voice shaping discussions on immigration reform, which President Obama has vowed to pass in his second term.
Dubbed DREAMers, their name is derived from the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, which, if passed, would have granted some undocumented immigrant youth legal status in return for attending college or joining the military.
In 2009, DREAMers knocked on doors and begged for support of the DREAM Act, a bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for certain youth who came to the United States as children and live in the country illegally.
Today, the movement is enjoying a certain amount of clout.
Andiola tapped into the DREAMer network to aid in the return of her mother and brother. But her activism also got her a job with newly elected Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona.
Last summer, the Democrats gave the DREAMers their biggest stage, at the Democratic National Convention. Benita Veliz became the first undocumented immigrant to give a speech at the convention, sharing her story of a high achiever with limited opportunities because of her status.
It's not just Democrats who are listening.
When Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, announced a new immigration proposal this month, he made a point to mention that he had consulted with DREAMers.
As Rubio began working on legislation to address the issue, his staff bounced the proposals by DREAM activists, said the senator's press secretary, Alex Conant.
"We believe there is broad support for letting people who came to the U.S. at a young age, grew up here and are undocumented through no fault of their own stay in the country," Conant said. "We will continue to seek their input as we work on a legislation to legalize their status."
State and national conferences are bringing undocumented immigrant youths together and introducing them to the halls of power.
"The power has been there, what is happening now is that that power is being showcased," said Jose Luis Zelaya, a graduate student at Texas A&M University and DREAM activist.
He says the movement is more organized than before, thanks to partnerships with more experienced organizations, and years of lobbying.
"We have planted a seed and hard work and dedication," Zelaya said. "Maybe a year ago we didn't see the fruit, but only because the tree was still growing."
In 2009 and 2010, Zelaya was among those who lobbied Congress for the DREAM Act. Back then, Zelaya remembers the activists "running from coast to coast, looking for recognition."
The bill ultimately failed, but the DREAM activists did not lose their momentum, and continued to lobby. Last year, when President Obama issued an executive order granting a temporary reprieve for eligible undocumented youth to apply for a two-year work permit, it gave the group credibility, they say.
Obama begins immigration push with trip to Vegas
The president's deferred action policy, similar to the proposed DREAM Act, "gave us breathing room," Zelaya said.
It also raised the profiles of the activists.
As Zelaya waited for his work permit, he began crocheting to make ends meet. He was invited to Miami to talk about his crochet business on Univision. The hosts surprised him on camera with his work permit.
Off camera, some DREAMers find themselves juggling schedules filled with speeches, interviews and conferences at the state and national level.
Now, tracking down leaders like Andiola requires going through a press officer.
Many believed the DREAMers were fighting for a lost cause after the DREAM Act didn't get the needed votes, Andiola said. But they persisted. "We've been able to prove a lot of people wrong," she said.
Their next challenge is to lobby for immigration reform that would go beyond border security and help keep immigrant families from being separated, they say.
To their critics, who bristle that a group of undocumented immigrants have found an audience among politicians, activists and journalists, Andiola advises that they, too, organize.
"We really want to empower the community, not just the undocumented community," she said.
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
Wouldn't they be just as influential in their parents' native countries?
"Now what"? Nobody owes you anything. Get in the BACK of the line and obey the laws of this country. Just like everyone else. No free rides.
They have broken the law by being here. US officials have broken the law by not deporting them. We are rapidly becoming a country of "obey what laws you want and damn the rest." This brings us just one step closer to being a lawless country...better keep those guns because in the near future you may need them.
Enforce the borders!
Welcome to the legacy of our own creation folks. Not pretty is it?
Put down the bong.
While I support legal immigration, I DO NOT support giving illegal immigrants a "pass" on working thru the system. As an African American, I've seen first hand how illegal immigration pushed MY people out of many areas of the job market, and forced wages down in the process. l've heard all the talk about "Well, they do the jobs Americans won't take", and "They're much better workers than Americans". This just isn't true. If you Google "The impact of Illegal Immigration on African Americans", or something similar, you'll find that there is virtually NO DATA kept on the subject. While I respect President Obama, and support some of his policies, I have yet to see him do anything to help the African American citizens of this country at least be able to compete with this group. Couple this with greedy White employers who hire illegals every day in order to increase profits, and it's understandable the there is resentment when they demand for free what American citizens have to fight and sacrifice for. The poor in this country are not always "lazy", or making "poor choices". They simply can't break through the "Hispanic Iron Curtain" that White America has created, and maintains to this day. All this talk of Immigration Reform is just that: Talk. As long as the Hispanic voter base continues to grow, they will be pandered to by BOTH parties, as they will eventually become the largest voting bloc in the country.
It's not an African American issue it's an American issue. Illegal immigration effects all races in the work force.
That is quite racist. 'White America'? 'Greedy white employers'? You should take a chill pill and come back in a relaxed, less racist mind.
This population has GROWN. I live California where The hispanic population has superseded evry other race. The majority of them are illegal and The governor has passed The DREAM.act what a slap in The face to Martin Luther King. We have fought for everything but have never been given The rights that these immigrants get legal or not. illegal immigrants work in The wine.vineyards and.huge..farms such as del Monte which is located right here in california. We kniw it's all about money
Employers want to hire people that actually want to work. Most Afro Americans are lazy! Most of them just want easy money without working hard. Let me give you a example, go to a fast food restaurant that employs all African Americans. Most likely it's going to be dirty, bad service, long wait.) You think employers don't realize it's better to hire people that actually want to work. Actual Africans from Africa are hard working people not the American Africans.
hahahaha that is very true
So only latinos contribute to your problems? what about asian people that come here daily by the boat load? just face the truth, African Americans dont like to work. You all act like the world owes you something. what a joke
I'm not being racist here. I'm being realistic. Who in the USA owns the bulk of bulk of the businesses? White America. It's not racist to state facts, and I'm not making these statements in anger. A few years back, southern states like Georgia, Florida, ect. were complaining about the fact that they "couldn't find enough workers to pick the crops", due to the fact that there had been a spate of IMF raids/sanctions enacted. Parts of cities became virtual ghost towns as illegal immigrants packed up and moved, fearing arrest and deportation. I DO struggle with the sadness of knowing that many families are separated from their children, and couldn't imagine having to live in fear of deportation. My point is that the majority of businesses in the country are run by Caucasians, who in turn hire for the lowest wage possible. I don't think it makes them "evil", but it does disenfranchise legal residents of the US, and takes away opportunities that many citizens of ALL races would welcome, if given the chance to compete. The days of turning down work are long gone. People across the country are willing to do those "dirty" jobs, but can't even get an interview. I see it time and again where I live. It's a fact that African Americans were once the largest workforce for certain jobs, mainly in Hotel/Motel industries, restaurants, and other low-paying jobs. Over time, they were replaced by more and more illegals, and thus pushed out of the job market. And again, I have tried to find data on the impact of illegal immigration on African Americans, because we are the most affected of all the minority groups in the country. There simply is no real data to be found, which is telling in itself. Even African College graduates have a hard time breaking into the job market, regardless of the field. And yes, I know that it's happening to ALL college graduates now, regardless of nationality, given the employment climate, but it's been endemic in the Black community for decades. I'm not racist, just frustrated that we as a country can't discuss the realities when it comes to true equality for all, meaning that we actually get a genuine, fair chance to show our talents, and contribute in a meaningful way.
So illegals pushed your people out of the job places, Have you consider that maybe was because those people actually worked while your people was just taking smoke breaks, sleeping in the restrooms, arguing with immediate supervisors, and so on. Now FYI illegals isn’t the same as Mexicans, is a wide range of nationalities, there are illegal Asians, Europeans, even Canadians and yet most comments about illegal immigrants assume all of them are Mexicans.
Although you use sharper rhetoric than I would use, you make a long deserved point. African Americans have not gained from the Immigration Act of 1965. Coming as it did in the civil rights era – as our black population was reaching a place from which it could pull itself out of former legal frameworks which held them back, the Immigration Act of 1965 was envisioned as a kind of civil rights act for the rest of the world – that all peoples had a fair and equal right to enter and become u.s. citizens. The onslaught which followed, particularly affected the peoples of Latin America, Asia and post-colonial Africa who now appeared on our shores, legal and illegal, in droves. There is no doubt their increased presence in this country put greater challenges on African Americans and their opportunities to make the most of their newly won civil rights. Affirmative Action and not competitive opportunity made up for some of the imbalance, but, in the main, the African American has not gained from massive immigration and illegal immigration to this country. Of course, not all illegal immigrants were hired by "greedy" white men – I am sure a number of black businessmen and black farmers did the same where it proved cheaper to hire illegal immigrants in an era where black workers left the farm to find union jobs if they could. The presence of newly minted African Americans has even changed the meaning of African American. In 1965, we all knew that it meant those descendants of American slavery who were still working out their place in American society. The new Africans do not share that experience nor the original intent of the civil rights act which was to help liberate America's descendants of slavery to have all the opportunities that other Americans enjoyed. In hindsight, was it really necessary that Obama, half black son of a Kenyan intellectual, a privileged person in his own country, be the recipient of affirmative action programs designed to lift the legacy of American slavery? I think you make a good point.
People, please understand one banal and simply fact. The US economy IS NOT CAPABLE of absorbing so many graduates every year. There is no way US labor market would sustain so many applicants. There is no way employers would maintain a fair compensation under this abundant work force.This country is so full. Please, consider another markets and opportunities on other continents.
I'm thinking of entering the US illegally to get educated for free and become the next Rush or Glen Beck.
That's my dream.
think of America like a private club. in order to join that club, there are rules, dues and real costs. when you let 18 million illegals flounder about like this country is a sieve you break the system of the club down. i have no problem with LEGAL ALIENS, they play by the rules. With this said, when aliens break the first law by coming here, you end up with "us paying for them." ie, Obama Care.
Legal aliens are always welcomed to this unique club.
That's extremely selfish thinking, people came here legally and many didn't immigrate but have been here longer than the United States has been a country, my wife immigrated here for colombia but she did it the legal way. We paid a lot of fees, had medical exams done, and came in on a k1 visa going through adjustment of status. Guess what, we pay taxes and worked hard for this. Why should someone be able to come to the country illegally, work on a migrant farm under someone else's social security number, then not have to pay taxes and have the ability to milk the welfare system for free? This "we are all immigrants" stuff doesn't fly, everyone came from Africa at one point too, does that mean I can go to Nigeria and get free benefits? Better yet how would Mexico react if I came into the country illegally? You can go to Tijuana or a border town for 24 hours but if you stay past that, they will toss you in prison. I have no problem with immigrants, but do it legally, As for Americans being immigrants, so are a number of Latin American countries which are extremely diverse, however many of us again have been here longer than the United States was considered a country. My fathers family being in Alaska while it was under Russian control and my mothers family in wiisconsin before it was a state.
Then tell the government to fix the immigration system instead of saying we need to reward kids for the crimes of their parents. Saying these kids need to just follow the legal immigration process is not a "punishment". They have already received a great benefit by growing up in the US versus whatever third world country their parents came from. One of the greatest strength of our nations is our strong adherence to law and undermining it because of emotional arguments will not help our nation. I don't blame these kids for what their parents did, but they still need to get in line with all the other immigrants who are LEGALLY coming to the US.
line forms at the REAR....so get in it........just like you should have been all along.....
Ok so I have 6 Mexicans living in a 1 bedroom apartment below me. Two of them are children. One of those children kicks and pounds on the wall so hard that it sounds like some one shooting a weapon or pounding on my door. The manager has been called not only by me but other neighbors who have complained. Yet she has done nothing but talk to them. The floors are so paper thin I can hear what they are saying. One of the women I can hear her say "go on its ok" an then the boy starts pounding and banging really loud. I am at my wits end. I called immigrations. Im gonna call child services next. The majority of the people in this apartment complex are mexican. I live in a white majority community. I think the manager is responsible. Da du da du da du da du da du da du da du da du all day long. Salsa music all day long. One of my best friends is not a us citizen but he is Mexican. I tried to talk to these people and get treated like a stupid white man. I am a good citizen and I have zero criminal record and have served this country proud. I don't deserve this.
The American Tax Payers, paid to educated these young people; let them stay if they have been good Citizens.
Become a citizen, then your influence will have a solid foundation to stand upon.. My grandparents came to the US legally because they wanted to be Americans.
Illegals are given special considerations that we citizens can not get including in state tuition. Now O is likely to grant the criminal illegal invaders some form of amnesty in his misguided pursuit of a legacy. The anchor baby birthright must be pulled. The ability for illegal invaders to simply enter the USA and set up house needs real and consistent law enforcement.
I'm sorry, but a parent is responsible for their children until they turn 18. If those parents brought the children into the country illegally, then it's the parents' fault. These children know we have a PROCESS for accepting immigrants, and you have to get in line.
I love it when someone breaks into my house and then demands things.
If that illegal alien kid in the photo wants to be a lawyer send his butt back to Mexico, we don't need any more lawyers!
if only these people came here legally wouldnt even have a problem the fact is that they go into the country illegal why should these people be given special status for breaking our laws?
Those immigrants you speak of came to America LEGALLY!
Not all were legal, but most were
Illegal...you said it...if its ok to break this law which one is next...the courts have said it many times ....ignorance of the law is no excuse...yet we still allow it. and it starts with people just like you.
Since when is replacing the native-born population of a country with a docile population of ignorant imported peasants an act of "tolerance"?
Idiot foreigner! Mexico and Central America's illegal alien laws are MUCH more harsher.
I'm a legal immigrant ,waiting for an employer sponsored for the past 10 years. I'm a law abiding 'legal alien' and have been paying taxes over the years. Will i and many other legal immigrants see the daylight with proposed CIR ?
These racists commenting to this thread are an embarrassment to themselves, that being said I believe that all men are created equal but I have concerns that some of the language in the DREAM act may seek to exploit these "DREAMers" using their illegal status as leverage for unfair military recruiting and DNA collection practices. There is a clause in the act that may require military service, and another that may require Biometric data to be provided. If all men are created equal, why do illegal aliens deserve any less privacy rights and any less rights to choose whether or not to serve in the military than I have? Remove those two clauses and I'd support the DREAM act.
I've always thought that the illegals would be used as biometric guinea pigs. Seems to be coming to pass.
The kids should not be punished because of their parents' crime, but they certainly should not benefit from it by getting to jump ahead of everyone who is going through the legal immigration process. They need to get in line with everyone else who is following the law.
Round these uninvited invaders up and ship them back to their real homes.
Then serve them a bill for all of the American citizen funded services they enjoyed and abused while in our country illegally.
CNN you are not impartial and supporting illegal aliens makes you pretty stupi*
Forget about the last 90% of this article. What I want to know why Erika Andiola's mother and brother weren't deported as the ILLEGAL aliens they are and why the rest of the Andiola family wasn't investigated and deported too!
OK facts: They are NOT immigrants (read the US code) they are Illegal Aliens in violation of our laws. The first time here illegally is a misameandor and the second (most are) is a felony. So I don't care what they want if anyone fool here disagrees then you support letting anyone and everyone come here which means taking down the fences and repealing the law. Now if your smart and realize this is not the way to go then support E-Verify and put a stop to illegal aliens working (Costco stores voluntarily participate in E-Verify and have done working at thier stores). Only 2 to 4 percent work the farms (look it up) so the stupid argument about doing work US citizens won't is invalid. This will create millions of jobs and save our states a fortune. Plus it will end all this stupid talk. YOU choose and vote according.
These illegals are criminal minded. We don't have doctors and lawyers hoping the border. We have catered to their language, and given them more welfare than an American can receive. They hate us with a passion. Get them OUT. I'm tired of hearing that every crime commited is by a male hispanic in their twenties. These are people from a near third world country !
ONLY IN AMERICA- Does the mainstream media praise you for doing something that is tautologically illegal.
Your ancestors were illegal immigrants
Spare us that tiresome "your ancestors were illegal immigrants" nonsense.
(1) No, they were LEGAL immigrants
(2) This is the United States of America. The Indians LOST. We beat them and created a new nation, we get to make the rules.
The thing that is always missed in the "your ancestors took the land from the native americans" argument is that the native americans weren't native either. They took the land from the Clovis people.
And when someone says "Native Americans" just ask them which particular ones. There were numerous tribes of Native Americans who often fought each other over land. Even the ones that did not think you could own land had no problem killing another tribe that was using the resources on the land they wanted to use. Pretty much every country in existence today is on land that was taken from someone else so the "US is really Native American land" argument doesn't hold water in the light of history.
All of those tribes were native americans so your point doesn't make sense.
Wrong....The disappearance of the Clovis people/culture has never been attributed to a take over from "Native Americans" 1. They continually adapted into or with other cultures.....or 2. Disappeared due to abrupt climatic changes. Do some research....
So you're basically saying your ancestors conquered the Indians and stole from them to create a new nation? NEWS FLASH: We are all immigrants, the native americans were already here..
ok dreeeeeamers.. you tell you your mom and/or pop. to take your skinny little rump back home and come back over the border LEGALLY.. and then you can attempt to get what ever you little heart dreams about.
Agree but at these point its to late for that, It was not my choice to be here but
I grew up here
So just be thankful of all the benefits you already received merely by growing up here versus whatever country your parents came from. You seem to think it is "punishment" to not just hand you a green card or US citizenship. I agree it is not your "fault" you are here illegally and should not be fined or put in jail, but you still should not get a big benefit from their illegal activity either. Just get in line with everyone else who is LEGALLY trying to immigrate here and I wish you the best of luck.
That's your parents' fault, not ours. We have no obligations to you in any way. There is no reason whatsoever that American families should give the children of illegal aliens advantages their own children don't have.
Dreamers are still illegals – just like Obama
illegals to get the F out! Stop complaining and go home, your not welcome here.
Once again- US government prefers those illegals to its own citizens. All laws are written for them to "feel comfortable". So many times US citizzens got screwed because of some green card seekers. Feds invented VAWA – the fast track to green card. All those illegals need is to blame the US citizen for "abuse". US citizen goes to jail, illegal gets green card and welfare.
Obama has deported more illegal immigrants than any other president in history. He talks a good talk with his base, but his actions don't support it. If I were Republican (I'm Independent), I would have made a bigger issue out of that in the election.
I can't believe the American People have lost the control of their own government. As a legal immigrant to this great nation, I observed how Americans desperately begged their government to stop the flow of illegals into the country for at least the last 30 years. Administration after administration, republicans and democrats alike, ignored the will of the people that put them in power, for political and financial gains. What a disgrace this is.
Just so we are all clear on those who support allowing those who came into the United States illegally, meaning came in to the United States without official persmission from the Government of the United States of America. You support those who came into a place they do not have the owne'rs permission and believe they are entitle to all the benifets and be allowed to stay.
All those who support this must immediately do the following or be branded a hypocrite and your stance on this subject being mute and void. 1. You must remove all locks from your home/apartment/residence. 2. Allow anyone to come in and stay as long as they like. 3. Provide food, education, health care and means to earn money at your expense inside your home. 4. At no time remove these people from your home if they commit any crimes. 5. Give them the same rights and priveleges inside your home you would give anyone who has legitimate ownership of the home.
Reminder, failure to do so makes you a hypocrite because you can not hold anyone, including a government to standard you are not following yourself. For me, my house is locked and those who are not authorized to enter will be met with the maximum amount of force legally allowed. I expect the same from my government.
Who would illegals steal free healthcare and government benefits from as well?
VOTERS are MORE influential. These people cannot vote. They have a voice but are not nearly as influential as this article would suggest.
Therein lies the problem – American voters are so polarized that a tiny minority can make a difference between winning and losing and our political leaders will do anything to have access to that tiny minority, including selling our future and our children's futures.
Wake up people, time is running out. Tell the democrats and the republicans, with no uncertain terms, STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION or get kicked out.
Sorry but you cam here illegally, which makes you a criminal. May as well release the prisoners into the streets if we allow illegal immigrants to come here and stay! It doesn't matter that you're smart, hard working, etc. The fact remains that you broke the law and I am not cool with that. I would, however, be fine if you came LEGALLY. If you were hard working enough, you could earn the right to be here! It's a long process, sure, but it weeds out the people who really truly don't want it as bad!
20 years of democrat control in Sacramento has turned California into Mexifornia. It's not safe here now. Our high taxes here pay to complete mexico's takeover of California.
So correct sir!!!! There are already gang shootings happening in LA ans San Diego. Tijuana coming to US.
you people don't get that the undocumented Latino community will not be pushed around!
"these cretins forget that some where in their past, their ancestors were immigrants too."
LEGAL Immigrants. Who obeyed the law, were subject to restrictions, and quotas, and limits. Who learned English and adopted American cultural ways. Who pledged their loyalty to their new country and left the old one behind.
That's a far cry from someone who gets hauled in here in the trunk of a car, hold on to their old language, refuses to fully assimilate into our culture, and maintains significant loyalty to a foreign nation.
They have no right to be here, and in trying to stay here, they are attempting to seize from those who do have a right to be here, and who's ancestors or even parents voluntarily subjected themselves to the restrictions we had at their time.
Very well said.
dude you said what 10 of millions wanted to say nice job.
God Bless America where they screw over their citizens and legally born residents but drop everything for illegal immigrants.
A conspiracy to flood Immigration officials with phone calls is an abuse of the system and should be prosecuted. And there needs to be an effective deterrent for Illegals who enter the country and dump their newborn children onto the doorstep of America – thereby creating the fastest growing segment of the population: Criminals!
Go back out and come back in the front door like all the other immigrants before you.
"Undocumented" is such a dishonest word. They are criminals. That's what you are when you break the law: a criminal. Giving it a new, more cuddly name doesn't change that. Unless you're a liberal. And then simply changing the name of something changes what it is. That's what liberal political correctness is all about. It's also dishonest.
Using the sanitized term "undocumented immigrant" is the start of the problem. People are coming into the US illegally and raping the entitlement structure in the US. Free education and free medical care all in exchange for voting democratic. The notion that these people are becoming politically powerful is worrisome. This is how many other groups try to take over the country: by subversion.
what do you mean? they didn't sneak into the country, their parents brought them...they should be giving the chance to get a green card.
Their parents brought them illegally. And they have a chance to get a green card...by going back to the country where they are legal citizens and then applying like everyone else who wants to work in the US.
Because you shouldn't get to benefit from your parents' illegal activities. It's not their "fault" they are here so they don't need to be punished, but they also do not need to get a benefit because their parents' did not follow the law. They can get in line with all the other people who wish to legally immigrate to our country and follow the same process.
no they should not they should go back with their parents and come in the right way. they are all ILLEGAL immigrants
You've got to be kidding me if you think just because you call and complain that illegals should be treated like normal "citizens". They are not citizens of this nation and are here illegally no matter what you think. I can't walk into another country any where on this planet and be considered a citizen of the country until I do the paperwork, pay the fees and take the oath if they have one. Go home and come back the correct way. You may get caught and to jail and be deported at the tax payers expense. So stop looking over your shoulder and do what is right you criminal.
any one else having trouble posting when CNN doesn't agree with your post?
Now, please write a story on how this single working mom pays for her illegal neighbor to stay at home, pays for the illegals anchor education and healthcare, pays for free meals, pays for $10 internet, pays for the illegals kid disablity, pays for the illegal stay at home to push out more anchors, pays for $5000 in Dreamers (Stealers) Hope scholarship, pays for the minority slot at the University level. Pay higher premiums in car insurance b/c illegals don't/can't buy it.Pay higher premiums for health insurance. What the f*ck do you think happens when an uninsured illegal gets in an accident and the other driver is hurt? Ever see an illegal mom driving? OMG!
All the while, I'm working and paying for my own 1 daughter, that’s ONE CHILD, to attend University. I sponsored her father's citizenship to gain LEGAL status by following the law, and him swearing allegiance to and loving the US.
Now let’s not forget about the fact I fear for my lovely daughter’s safety when the ILLEGAL LAWN GANG shows up everyday in our neighborhood. Who are the millions of illegal MEN ROAMING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS? THEY ARE MEN! MILLIONS OF MEN. UNDOCUMENTED, UNFETTERED, AND UNACCOUNTABLE TO NO ONE.
HOW 'BOUT A STORY ON THAT CNN?
"WORKING SINGLE MOM AND DAUGHTER PAY BLOODY HELL FOR ILLEGAL MOM AND HER ANCHORS AND THE MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL MEN"
Half the work force in the US are women. And CNN thinks the women of this country should work to support MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL MEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR ANCHORS because it’s the right thing to do. Right for whom CNN?
Why we all want to be dreamers in this country documented or not? My fellow citizens! Do we abide by the laws? Are we worthy individuals for one another? Are we informed and concerned about our country's affairs?
Are we treating one another the way we want to be treated fairly?
When the media – and others – are trying to claim ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are gaining political clout, then it's time for legal residents and citizens to make it known to OUR legislators that enough is enough.
DREAMers ... can dream on. "Undocumented" is just a euphemism for ILLEGAL.
Before now, I was willing to consider some way to integrate these people into society. Going forward, I now want them out.
Humm,
It is pretty much a given that the American people aren't going to grant Amnesty. So you will have to return to your home of origin and start the process to become a citizen, if that's what you want. Ther are people that will help you in your quest. Good luck.
There must be a reasonable solution. It must include HIGH fines. It cannot be free. No blanket amnesty. It must include a process that adds nothing to budgets.
When Mexican Americans hate 13 million illegals, you know there is a real problem. Illegals hate us with a passion and and we support them with any welfare they desire. Eventually, we will be a third world country.
No, they will occupy and rename the southern part of the country into Mexico.
First the corporations sold out the country to China, now the government is selling it out to illegals.
Go Dreamers, go. Anybody who wants to put in an honest days work, support their family, pay taxes, contribute to society has my support. That is the real American value. Not shooting guns and hating everyone out of selfishness that these wingnuts would have you believe.
How can it be an "honest" days' work when their mere presence is illegal? And what about the natural-born citizens of the US who are facing high unemployment rates? How many jobs in the US are held by illegals?
If they wanted to do an honest day's work they would have followed the system like everyone else. Instead they ignored the system and broke it.
As a Viet Nam Veteran and a American Italian who grandparents came here LEGALLY... I have two (2) words
NO AMNESTY !!
You came here ILLEGALLY ..... GO HOME !!!!!
OK Chuck, what is the difference between the Vietnamese people you fought against or fought with, who have and continually to come here and the "Dreamers.?"
That depends on their immigration status. They are in the country legally or illegally regardless of nationality. If a Vietnamese or Mexican is in the US illegally, they are to be deported. Now that these dreamers graduated, they should return to their home country and make a difference. If I as an American stayed in Mexico or Vietnam illegally, you can be certain I would be arrested and deportated if detained.
Let him become a doctor, a teacher, a lawyer, whatever he wants to be. But go home and do it there. You have become a criminal here. The end does not justify the means. You do not deserve a free education or medical care. Go back to "my country' and better the lives of your fellow illegals so they stay home.
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say the detention of the pair and their eventual release had nothing to do with Andiola's activism."
What else would they say?
When un-necessary wars and illegal aliens collapse the US economy, Mexicans will probably be gunned down in the streets.
This cancer from south of our border has bankrupted California and it's only the beginning. The welfare, schooling, hospitalizing,jailing etc. has taken America down. Too bad that liberals love change because this is what change is about.
Giving it a cute name like DREAM act doesn't make it less illegal.
"Undocumented" = Criminal
It absolutely amazes me that ANY weight is given to a group of people (illegal aliens) whose very first act upon setting foot on American soil is to break the law simply by doing so. They are criminals. You can boo hoo and whine about "The American Dream" but the bottom line is that there are LEGAL ways to immigrate to the US. And I'm sick of it being made a racial issue. It's not. It's a legal issue. I'm a Caucasian Canadian and if I were to move to the States illegally they'd deport my lily-white butt in a heartbeat if they caught me. I think people of colour are actually shown favoritism out of fear of "racism" accusations.
Absolutely! They treat Canadians at the border crossing with suspicion, asking millions of questions.
Absolutely! They treat you like a criminal at the Canadian border, asking all kinds of questions.
Really? Have you thought about the countries like Mexico where its dangerous to even step out of the house at 9 P.M? They want to escape their country as fast as possible, so there is a lesser risk of death to themselves and their family. By the time they go through the legal procedures, it may take up to months. Sheesh people, use some common sense.
Interestingly, they never want to escape their country to the south. Always to the north. Why?
Please, do you know how many Europeans and Americans live in Mexico and many more plan to retire there? It's a gorgeous country, stop bashing it for your agenda.
Worst comment yet. Common sense????
Isn't it common sense to to assume that Mexico's problem with crime are...Mexico's problems? Do you think that illegals who are afraid to seek out law enforcement protection due to their immigration status are any less in danger here than there?
Taking your argument to the logical extreme, how about we just transplant everyone. Does the problem with crime go away?
Oh no! MONTHS!!! that is terrible!
Please, anything worth doing and/or fighting for SHOULD take more than months. The expectation to receive legal status in less than a year is ridiculous if you want to make sure the people that are investigating applicants are actually doing their due dilligence.
My husband had to go through the paperwork and legal process to become a legal resident. The cost of our immigration fees totalled to more than the cost of our wedding. Never, once did he ever overstay his visa, or consider staying here illegally. He respects the American legal system and is proud to call himself a legal resident and one day will apply for dual citizenship.
I understand it is hard to do it the "right way" but that is not an excuse to do it the "wrong way."
I don't care how many phone calls illegal immigrants make to Immigration. Enforce the law and deport these illegals..
then come here legally...you do a great dishonor to all those who did and your failure to abide by the law on this issue leaves me believing you will not obey future laws
In Obama's world he wants to make illegals legal and whats legal by Constitutional right illegal. #liberallogic.
I can see them not only demanding free of everything but to occupy part of our country and annex it to their own. Why not? They all look alike. Speak Spanish. They might as well have their own country in the sough of the US.
We are America a nation founded on civil rights and liberties. We shouldn't rely on government to control us or control others. Unfortunately the government is involved with everything we do so Illegal immigrants cause a drain on our system. Without social welfare many illegal immigrants, and US citizens would have to figure out another way to survive. The system would take care of itself and we would have our personal liberties.
My goodness!
This influx of political correctness and progressive views have made us look like a bunch of spineless pacifists. These people are ILLEGAL, yet they act like they are ENTITLED to US citizenship and rights....all that after "stealing" (for lack of a better word) our peoples money to get themselves educated.
Disgusting and disrespectful.....and we let it happen and support it....
Now what? Take yourselves and your parents back to Mexico and FIX IT! The way things are going here, maybe we'll sneek across the border and come hang out with you.
I agree. We have plenty of American citizens in need of those jobs. Mexico is in dire need of people in all classes of jobs that will make a difference there. Go home and begin the rebuilding of your country. It's plain and obvious to everyone that all politics and education aside they want to be here first. "I want to be a teacher or a lawyer or whatever, as long as I can do it in America."
Every illegal immigrant who sends all his money home instead of spending it here, is harming America. The ones who get free education are free to move back to their own countries and use their education the US tax payers paid for, to prosper in another country. They use their skills to help non-Americans. This contribute the our debt big time.
While America slept, our system of justice has been steadily coopted by the steady rise of illegal immigrants, primarily of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. They are here in such numbers now that they feel they have the right, even as many do not legally have the right to be in this country, to demand more and more and most politicians are fearful not to bow down to their demands. We already educate them in secondary school for free. Look at what happened during the last election. It is not about hate. It is not about racism. It is, in part, about the rule of law. And, our immigration law is not unjust. In fact, it is one of the most generous in the world.
Yes! America certainly IS the most generous nation in the world by far. In fact, America takes in more immigrants every year than ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD COMBINED!
Generosity is wonderful – but too much generosity is IRRESPONSIBLE. We are taking a successful, 1st world superpower and turning it into a declining Third World power with MORE violence, MORE poverty and LESS opportunity. I believe this is being done by design. Either we stop it soon or America is over.
Send the filthy leeches home.
Starting with YOU!
"filthy leeches" ???
I want the "dreamers" to know that I have no respect for them or their parents. My wife and I went through the immigration process legally. Why can't you also.
As did my parents
These DREAMERs are (supposedly) educated – what part of ILLEGAL do they NOT UNDERSTAND?
And if they really want to be "good citizens" why not do the right thing.
Your parents were illegal before you became legal yourself!
Go Home Blood Sucker!
The Dems take from the hardworking and successful and give to the poor and lazy for votes!
This is like somebody moves into my basement and i can't get the authorities to remove him. He gets married, makes 5 children and demands more room, based on the fact that he had been there for a long time.
just that you yourself bred in somebody else's house.
go back where you come from. stop stealing more of the financial aid that most legal and Americans get and have to pay back. now you want free education? and where do you think the free education is going to come from? the government? guess what the government gets its money from the tax payers. (that means legal and citizens) so go back where you come from and stop complaining about your life style
.
I'm sure every illegal immigrant is a college-faring, influential individual who is most certainly the bright future of America. Thank you CNN, as always, for this unbiased report.
The democratic party needs these illegals, needs to figure out how to get them signed up to vote to help hold power, and will pander to their legal relatives until this happens. That is the sad truth.
You've hit the nail on the head! By next election, there will be no hope for the Republican party.
Shame on the Liberal Democrats that started all this.
Shame on all the Republican Bigots for not supporting it
Republicans are bigots for not supporting illegal immigration?
Bigots??? Bigots?? When I see "Illegal Alien" listed as an ethnicity on my census questionaire or tax form, I'll entertain your assinine labeling of the REAL CITIZENS of this country. Illegal aliens, no matter how many of them there are, are NOT a race. They are criminals, and I damned well don't owe them ANY concessions or compassion. I don't owe them ANYTHING, and frankly I'm tired of supporting them with my hard earned money. Shame on any of you who can't see or understand this. Let go of the guilt, and speak the truth. Don't let some criminal calling you names (like bigot ) make you keep your opinions to yourself. Last I checked, actual American citizens were still allowed to speak, as well. Do so.
"NOW WHAT?"
Now, go home to the country you came from (ILLEGALLY) and come back in LEGALLY and wait in line like all the law-abiding immigrants.
What if a person like this commits a crime and moves elsewhere. The US won't be able to get him extradited. They are free to do what they want. They have basically all the benefits without obligation.
Add more net takers to the base. Just what we need.
God is fictional, and anyways you should not be evoking his name after breaking laws. So by your theory since we are all equal lets open up the country everyone admitted, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan.....get everyone without screening lets ruin it for everyone....
Young, influential, and ILLEGAL.
It is not a question of hate – I don't think anyone here hates anyone else. It is a question of the LAW and that is what is being pointed out. This is probably the greatest country where people have the freedom to say things. This has got nothing to do with God or religion (for heaven's sake) nor feeling sorry for the illegal immigrants. If you really want to feel sorry for people, there are billions who are worse off.
Also, yes, children pay for their parents' mistakes. This is a fact of life.
Sammy so you are saying that if a parent is a Drug dealer or gang member and an enemy does a drive by on his/her house and because of that drive by a child gets shot and killed than it makes it O.k. since their parents were in that world? You are one hateful ignorant person if you think that children should also have to pay for the actions of their parents.
First, I am against illegal immigration/immigrants, regardless of where they come from; however, if we really want to fix this problem, we need to identify why this problem exists and fix it. One of those problems, the big one, is that we have MANY businesses and companies that hire illegals for low wages and make huge profits from doing this, with little to no consequence. From what I have seen, our government rarely prosecutes US businesses for hiring illegals or they pass laws that have little to no actual consequence for doing so. Illegals have stated that their major reasons for coming here are for work and a better life. If caught, illegals are deported and then eventually return...why? Because there are always US jobs waiting for them. POINT IS: If we hold US businesses accountable for illegal hiring practices by hiring and profiting form illegal immigration, there would be no jobs for illegal immigrants to come to. Then, they would have no reason to leave their countries to come here. Analogy: If you leave food on the porch for a stray, that stray will stay and always return.
You are right, Dan.
No one stops anyone from responding. You have freedom of speech because you live in this country.
I am a LEGAL immigrant; went through the process following my graduate education (as have several hundreds of thousands). It is sad that the ILLEGAL immigrants think it is their birthright to claim residency or citizenship when they have broken the law(s). I don't care if their parents brought them here, or they were born to illegal immigrants. They went to school here for free; we do not know whether they have paid their fair share of taxes; they have take our healthcare for granted among other things. The FACT remains – they are "ILLEGAL."
If they are so bothered – here is a workable solution. All politics aside, let them get in line and they be given a number based on some parameters (I'll simply call it – "degree of ILLEGALITY"). Then they should be sent back to where they came from at their own expense. They then come back into the country, be given a temporary visa, pay the taxes owed, pay a fine, and then wait at the back of the immigration line that we currently have (where several thousands of legal residents are waiting their turn).
But guess what – this is pretty simple and the politicians will NOT DO IT. I DON'T care about what the partisan reporters and groups think; it is not about the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT children being educated here (for free); it is not about how good or ambitious they are or how cute they are. The FACT OF THE MATTER IS THEY ARE STILL ILLEGAL.
WHY do illegals think they deserve ANY level of "accomodation"? Being here in the U.S. illegal is a CRIME, not something to be enabled, and continued!
Why is it that every time the term "illegal" shows up, people start shouting drugs? As I recall, most illegal immigrants are fleeing the Drug Wars in Mexico, not bringing the drugs here. (Those that do bring drugs here are criminals, not illegals).
AKA Illegal Immmigrant
Because whenever I pick up a local paper Hispanic names are attached to most drug busts; drunk driving arrests and gang shootings – way out of their ever increasing percentage of the population.
God I am your son Jesus that you allowed to be nailed, remember me?
The dumycrats hate they don't include white people in hate crime legislation they support hate groups like la raza which means the race Obama went to a church for twenty years that preached hate for white people so yes the party of hate is Obama
Wow enjoying that propaganda kool aid aren't ya?
When can CNN stop calling them "undocumented" and call them Illegal. They didn't fail to fill out a form, they are illegally in the country sapping resources without paying appropriate taxes. Again and again CNN and other websites just focus on poor upstanding individuals and act like this applies to every single illegal immigrant. Try reporting actual news instead of pushing a complete myth perpetuated by the democratic party.
Democrats = party of hatred and intolerance.
The example described in this article along with this selective enforcement of the law combined with the constant churning out of new laws can only mean one thing. You are committing a crime only if it is convenient to those in power. These days, if you walk the wrong way you can be issued a citation. In other words, you've already signed away your rights and don't even know it and its only a matter of time before the switch is flipped and these laws become actively enforced.
That's easy – the Democrat Party is the party of hatred and intolerance. Back in 1965, Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy promised the American people that the 1965 Immigration Act would NOT change the ethnic composition of the country. He lied. Not only did he lie, but the Jewish elite of the Democratic Party continued to encourage mass immigration into the United States (both legal and illegal) specifically to change the racial balance of the country so that they could use the changing demographics to build a new power base.
Over the last 20 years, TENS OF THOUSANDS of American citizens have been robbed, raped and murdered by illegal immigrations. As if our domestic gangs were not enough, American police now have to contended with Central American gangs and mafias. Our economy has been strained to the brink by providing generous welfare benefits to these people. California, once one of the richest states in the nation is now bankrupt.
And when honest American citizens simply attempt to call attention to this and ask our politicians (of BOTH parties) to simply enforce EXISTING laws (which they are required by the Constitution to enforce) then those honest American citizens are labeled as RACISTS and XENOPHOBES.
I cast blame on BOTH parties – Bush sold out the country by allowing tens of millions of illegal citizens in on his watch. Neverthelss, I am disgusted by the vicious name-calling on the Left, smearing perfecting good people simply because they want their nation's borders enforced. The Democratic Party is willing to permanently turn America into a Third World nation all of the sake of a few votes. Absolutely disgusting and absolutely HATEFUL And INTOLERANT.
The issue isn't hatred vs tolerance. It's being American vs anti American.The only hatred comes from people who believe they are entitled and above our laws. Erika Andiola and her family are a perfect example. Got pulled over and didn't think she had to produce a license, got ordered out of the country and immediately came back in.
The only hatred comes from people who believe they are entitled and above our laws. Erika Andiola and her family are a perfect example. Got pulled over and didn't think she had to produce a license, got ordered out of the country and immediately came back in. Andiola got in touch with her friends in the media to bully the authorities-yeah these are GREAT people. I think the American people treat these nasty people much better than they deserve quite frankly.
I'm a DREAMER too- I dream of kicking these people out.
This is not a debate about tolerance vs. hate. This is a debate about illegal immigration and starving americans due to an illegal invasion force, high as hell inflation and costs, the fact that almost no white people can afford housing because there isn't enough housing, and the fact of the Guadalupe hildago treaty article 5 paragraph 4 has been massively violated. Truth be told, I don't think if white people were immigrating illegally into mexico, that these "Latinos" would hesitate to deport or use them in forced labor. this isn't an issue of race, its an issue of illegal invasion and theft of land, property, and life!
There is plenty of affordable housing in the US. You might have to pack up and move to find the opportunity, but there's still plenty of cheap opportunity left. In fact, homes are now at their cheapest purchase level in a decade.