Local group marches in Portland for immigration reform

Woodburn residents fighting for immigration reform rally at Senator Jeff Merkley’s office

Photo By: Submitted photoCAUSA
A member of a Portland State University group, M.E.Ch.A. speaks at the rally.
PORTLAND — Two vans full of Woodburn residents headed to Portland last week for a march for immigration reform.
 
The advocates from the reform group CAUSA met for a rally Jan. 13 at the district office of Congressman David Wu, followed by a march to the office of Senator Jeff Merkley.
 
According to CAUSA Executive Director Francisco López, the idea was to bolster support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR-ASAP) (HR 4321).
 
If passed, López said the bill will have a large impact on Woodburn.
 
“It will help legalize thousands of undocumented immigrants,” said López. “There will be implications for Woodburn, the city of Gervais, Hubbard and the whole area because there are thousands of farmworkers that work in the fields.” />  
Woodburn, he said, is like the “Mecca” for the Latino community in the state of Oregon.
 
“Woodburn has become the capital of the Latino community in the state of Oregon,” said López. “Woodburn is the first place of entrance for many people that would link them to this state. … It’s what I call the ‘center of gravity’ for the Latino community.

“The farmworkers union is there; there is a Latino radio station. The movement for civil rights in the Latino community started in the Woodburn area. … It’s kind of like the origin … of the movement for Latino rights and Latino transformation in the state of Oregon.”
 
He noted how 70 to 80 percent of the schools’ population in the area is Latino.
 
The group joined advocates last week from Portland State University and other areas, who additionally rallied support for the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act of 2009, a similar bill introduced last March.
 
Congressman Wu said he will soon announce his decision on whether or not he will support the HR 4321 legislation.
 
One of Merkley’s staff members told the group the senator has historically been supportive of immigration reform and would take their request under serious consideration.
 
Currently, Congressman Earl Blumenauer is the only U.S. Representative from Oregon that has co-signed on to HR4321. Last week, he reiterated his support for the legislation and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
 
HR 4321 was introduced on Dec. 15, 2009 by Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez with over 92 co-sponsors from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus and Progressive Caucus. Since then, the number has reached 106 co-sponsors.
 
López said the act will create millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes and study English on their way to becoming full U.S. citizens.
 
It will also protect workers and help with economic recovery, keep families together and protect the “due process rights of all.”
 
He said Woodburn residents have taken a strong interest in the legislation.
 
“They have become a voice because, like I said, it’s an agricultural community and the struggles for change and improvement in the life of Latinos have originated there,” López said. “Also, I think Woodburn is a place where everybody, regardless of the color of their skin, (has) a place at the table.”
 
The group will meet again Jan. 22 at noon at Senator Ron Wyden’s office (1220 SW 3rd Avenue in Portland) to ask that he urge Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to introduce legislation that mirrors the house bill and call for passage of the DREAM Act.
 
“I think that things are moving forward, we are taking it one month at a time,” said López.

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Messiah from indio, California
1/19/2010 8:19:14 PM

Education not Deportation! Much love and support to all the DREAMers. www.trail2010.org
 
BajaRat from Seaside
1/20/2010 11:08:45 AM

What's this "undocumented immigrants" BS? These squatters aren't "immigrants." Illegal aliens are criminals and parasites, one and all. Their very presence here and practically everything they do on U.S. soil is illegal. They need to be ferreted out, rounded up like cattle, punished for their numerous crimes, then booted back to whence they snuck in from with such extreme prejudice that they will never, ever think of violating our sovereignty again. Enough is enough.  These cretins from "CAUSA" are urinating into the wind if they think that loathsome Marxist NWO puppet in the White House is going to be able to cram an amnesty down the throats of the American people during the worst recession since the 1930's, although I've heard some of these open-borders dirtbags make the Orwellian claim that legalizing all these squatters will help the economy. These jerks must think the general public is smoking the same crap they are.
 
aydee from woodburn
1/20/2010 4:52:58 PM

Keep up the hard work,if i had the time i will volunteer all of my time to do what causa is doing,''SI SE PUEDE" I know is not easy but you all have accomplished so much ,all of your hard work and dedication is payingoff .Thankyou for all you do ,takes people with a passion to help others and to do what all of of you are doing don't let people like the BAJARAT let you down obviously this person has some serious problems and just want to blame others for his or hers frustrations .
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/20/2010 8:10:13 PM

"López said the act will create millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register"In other words, Lopez is admitting illegal aliens not only sneak into our country ahead of world citizens waiting to enter legally, Lopez acknowledges illegals don't pay taxes. Forget the Dream Act. Forget another amnesty. The country is fed up with illegals. Do you understand the implications of Ted "I Sing In Spanish" Kennedy's Senate seat going to a REPUBLLICAN? Don't you realize Obamacare was defeated soley because it would have included coverage for illegals? What you can look forward to from Congress:1) Mandatory E-verify2) Clarification of the 14th Amendment to disallow anchor babies.It's been 23 years now since our last amnesty, which only resulted in another 12 million illegals. Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me.
 
mateoc from Woodburn
1/20/2010 9:16:43 PM

You know it really suprises me how many experts are out there on how having undocumented immigrants is such a great detractor in our nation and here in Oregon. I am anglo and am very aware of my ancestory and how this country didn't and doesn't belong to me alone. I believe that everyone has basic human rights and one of those is to survive and do what is best for your family as honestly as possible. I wish the general public only knew how hard it is to get into the USA legally. It is next to impossible. Immigrants pay a lot of taxes and add so many positives to our country. I look forward to the day that my friends don't have to look over their should and can live a normal life thanks to a small piece of paper that allows them to continue doing the job that they already do. Keep up the great work Francisco and CAUSA!



 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/20/2010 10:49:52 PM

mateoc, what does your being "Anglo" have to do with anything? This country has always belonged to the people who claimed it and were capable of defending it against invaders. Americans now claim and defend this country and illegal aliens are invaders. My not only basic but Constitutional right is the right to the pursuit of happiness. Illegals: steal my jobs; lower my wages; overburden my schools, healthcare system and jails; deplete my tax base; upset my culture; ruin my environment and otherwise interfere with my pursuit of happiness. Illegals - Go Home!



 
IndependentChick21 from Woodburn
1/20/2010 11:44:59 PM

wow, i cant even believe how some of you people try to stand up for these "illegal immigrants" they sneak into our country whitch our (us legal citezens) ancestors worked so hard to build up and they just come and take the american tax payers money to live on welfare, get cash benefits, free healthcare, and in woodburn get cheap a** daycare!! when will you people realize that these parasites are taking everything from the american taxpayers! It kills me that they get all of these FREE benefits and still have room to complain and go on pathetic strikes. TO ALL THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS I HAVE ONE THING TO SAY TO YOU: STOP TAKING (ACTUALLY STEALING) OUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND SNEAK RIGHT BACK TO MEXICO WHERE YOU BELONG!!!



 
Smart&Cute2Boot from Lake Owego
1/20/2010 11:45:14 PM

Wow. That is narcisism at it's finest. Good work, Bella. If "illegals" are truly stealing "your" jobs, then you need an education. Sounds like you need one any way. Take an American History class and get your GED.
 
Smart&Cute2Boot from Lake Owego
1/20/2010 11:56:38 PM

Oh, IndependentChick21 snuck in there before me. Well, kudos to you, too, Chick. You're just as narcisistic and ignorant as your friend, Bella. Maybe you can go to school together?!



 
Just Craziness from Woodburn
1/21/2010 8:05:00 AM

It's so crazy to me that people could be so ignorant. First of all, we are all immigrants. It's so funny that just because our ancestors came here freeley but thieveing we call ourselves US Citizens. We are all made up of all races. Even someone that would call thereselves caucasion got a little black and spanish in them. People are so confortable here in the US. One day we will all have to jump borders for a better living. I wonder how much crap someone will give us for that?
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 12:00:09 PM

Smart&Cute2Boot: "nar-cis-sism - excessive interest in one's own appearance." I have not made any narcissistic claims. Your very chosen name is the exact definition of narcissim. Honey, when YOUR friends call you narcissistic, that's not a good thing. Please educate yourself in English usage and American history before entering an adult debate.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 12:07:43 PM

Just Craziness from Woodburn, the only ignorance here is the belief Americans are ignorant enough not to be able to distinguish between "immigrant" and "illegal alien". Why do you bring up race? Are you a racist? You refer to Americans' ancestors as "thieving" - So what? Does that justify the theft of American jobs and residence by Mexicans? Our forefathers fought for the right to call this land America. If Mexicans want this land, they will have to fight for it and not gain it by begging, lying and stealing.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 12:44:20 PM

I'm disappointed in you illegal aliens and illegal alien supporters. Can't you people in "Mecca for the Latino community in the state of Oregon" come up with even ONE logical supportive argument in favor of illegal immigration? Please stop it with the worn out BS, "Whitey stole America from the Indians so we can steal America from Whitey" and "We're all immigrants" (without acknowledging illegal immigration) and "But they're just looking for a better life for thier family" (while disregarding the millions of more-severely poor and oppressed people in the world who would benefit from American citizenship). Maybe if you translate my post into Spanish the scholars amongst the illegal aliens will be able to show me the error of my thinking.
 
mateoc from Woodburn
1/21/2010 4:33:28 PM

No hay problema. Te puedo escribir en español si gustas. Primero, es importante recordar que este país no es tuyo porque tus antepasados pelearon, mataron, violaron a los nativos. Este país es de todos porque nosotros trabajamos juntos para hacerlo nuestro. Es interesante que hay tantas personas que creen ser expertos en la historia pero se les olvida o no quieren hablar acerca de lo que no les convenga. El racismo no es una solución. Cuando hablas en términos de que todo inmigrante es mexicano e ilegal es una forma de racismo. La gran mayoría de familias inmigrantes están aquí para mejorar no tan solo su familia sino también nuestro país. ¿Por qué no hablas de las contribuciones positivas de los inmigrantes? ¿Cuáles cosas has hecho tú para ganar este país y mejorarlo? ¿Qué sacrificios has hecho tú para este país? Sugiero que tomes tiempo en conocer los inmigrantes. Usa tus oídos y aprenderás mucho de los americanos inmigrantes que están aquí sin documentos.



 
aydee from woodburn
1/21/2010 4:52:30 PM

BellaBellotti,Mr Lopez is not admitting that "illegal aliens" as you call them aren't paying taxes ,for your information they pay but there's no such thing as credits in their filling they don't get refunds like you probably get ,but they still have to pay taxes,is a shame that we call ourselves AMERICANS and don't lappreciate what this people do for our country,I like to see people like you and the narcism guy go to the wet and cold fields right now and do the type of work this hard working people are doing ,sometimes they don't eat so they can feed their children and you and other AMERICANS don,t see that sometimes you have to be in their shoes to understand why they are here ,is not because they want to be underpaid,sometimes abused or some die on their way to "the american dream" I hope that you and all the peoploe outthere try to understand the urgent need of a immigration reform perhaps when you are able to live without the things this people do they all can go back home.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 5:23:35 PM

aydee, migrant farm workers have been a part of Oregon since before I have. We got along. They picked our crops and moved on. Today's illegal immigrants are different, stealing jobs traditionally held by Americans - home construction, food processing, janitoral and food service to name a few (See Portland Day Labor Site for illegals). Today's illegals are here in invasive numbers - 12 million since 1986. Such numbers have a downward effect on American wages. Americans would be glad to do the jobs you've stolen, the only difference is we would demand decent wages to provide for our families here in this country to live the American dream. We would not offer ourselves to the lowest bidder as do illegal Mexicans. Wages went up dramatically in the Midwest meat packing plant after the ICE raid and resultant hiring of Americans. Yes, Lopez did admit illegals don't pay taxes. The I IRS says illegals underpaid income taxes by $7 Billion by over claiming exemptions on their W-2s a and tax IDs.



 
aydee from woodburn
1/21/2010 5:58:07 PM

Bella, Ilike to see americans go and do the jobs that migrant workers are doing you say you will be glad to doit one thing is to say you will and another is to get it done ,also american companies have taken over in Mexico and other countries ,maybe we should roundemup like you lsay we should do to immigrants but let's do that to the american companies that had stolen the jobs and profit from other countries that can be the answer,by the way if you mean the migrant workers in the past had been getting along means not complaining for been underpaid you are just opening a can of worms ,there always had been prblems but they weren't as obvious as they are now , and as soon as people complaint then we are not getting alng I have a question for you ,are you an american native ?unless you are you can not say is your country and that illegal aliens had taken anything from you.



 
Just Craziness from Woodburn
1/21/2010 6:03:43 PM

Bella~ Have you ever been to Mexico. People live in boxes, in the hills they have tires as stairs. So when you say " while disregarding the millions of more-severely poor and oppressed people in the world who would benefit from American citizenship" who do you mean? No one is trying to steal back what is rightfully there's. They are just trying to get a piece of the pie. If Americans are willing to pay illegals to work then why not come to America and work. It's so sad that people can blame illegals for all the troubles in America and not blame the poeple that are paying them to work. Another thing is why don't spoiled americans work in the fields or the canneries because everyone wants the big money jobs. You can make $50 a week working in Mexico is that something you would want or would you come to America and make $50 a day. If you have never been there girl then don't talk about it.



 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 9:25:26 PM

aydee, race has nothing to do with illegal immigration but yes, I am part Native American per my DNA analysis. I have no more right to be in this country than a Mexican who became a naturalized American citizen yesterday. We're talking about TODAY and 12 million illegal aliens. I do not believe we should "round up" anyone. Pass mandatory E-verify and enforce it and illegals will self deport. Don't even suggest Mexicans can outwork Americans - it's a ridiculous statement on its face. Quit blaming the U.S. for Mexico's problems. Mexico also signed NAFTA. Mexico ships jobs overseas. Want to talk about Mexican government corruption? Please feel free to kick American companies out of Mexico. That is also my goal. Bring the jobs home.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/21/2010 9:41:31 PM

Just Craziness, people in big cities in America live in boxes. My sister in Ohio had outdoor plumbing until recently. People in Appalachia and the rural American South go hungry each day. These aren't even the truly oppressed and poor I referred to. Hatians, Chinese, Africans, Palestinians - all much worse off than Mexicans. Why do you argue for Mexicans and not these people? More convenient? Religious reasons? Family reasons? I agree - go after the employers of illegals. E-verify. I picked pole beans and strawberries in high school. I worked at many Salem-area canneries. Low wages in Mexico does not give a Mexican the right to enter another person's home (America) unwelcomed, open the fridge, kick back on the recliner and watch TV. Check out U.S. House Resolution 1026. Don't bet on my gender.



 
mateoc from Woodburn
1/21/2010 9:42:37 PM

Once those jobs come home and the prices of the products produced goes up to the level they have to so that you can earn a wage that you want- will you be willing to pay the price? Not complain about the high cost of living? Who will you blame then once everyone self deports? With the economy of today there are hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of people who are not making a decent wage and really are at the government defined poverty level. Yet those same people are not immigrants and are working to make whatever they can make to survice. Of course they are willing to move to make a better living.



 
IndependentChick21 from Woodburn
1/21/2010 10:23:48 PM

OK to all of you illegal immigrant lovers, let me say this, I HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND I HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE WHERE I HAD TO PAY MY WAY THROUGH.. I ALSO LIVE IN WOODBURN AND DO ASSOCIATE WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND KNOW THAT THEY DO GO TO COLLEGE FOR FREE! I AN AMERICAN CITIZEN PAID MY WAY THROUGH WHILE THE ILLEGALS GET IT FREE. HOW FAIR IS THAT?? I WOULDNT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IF THEY PAID FOR THEIR OWN EDUCATION AND ACUTALLY PAID TAXES, BUT THEM COMING HERE AND FREE LOADING, NOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY!!!
 
Just Craziness from Woodburn
1/21/2010 10:40:35 PM

Oh Bella~ Your one of those!!!! I say Mexican because come on what else do all these immigrant haters think about when they talk crap about illegals. It's funny how you could be so upset about illegals. Did you know that Micronesians are coming to the US with government vouchers? Yes girl, our government messed up there land so us tax payers, yes immigrants too pay the bill. A lot of them are living on beaches in Hawaii homeless because they took our goverment up on there offer and fled MIcronesia. So I guess in order to become legal our goverment need to mess up spmeones land. Are you ok with that?
 
mateoc from Woodburn
1/21/2010 10:44:48 PM

So are you saying that you would rather not have them get an education so that if they don't already pay taxes they never ever will? I get it. If they don't pay or can't, keep them dumb and incapable of improving their lives because they might just come back to their community and help others. So all the Haitians that are coming here for free should go home too right? We wouldn't want to help them either because we already have too many people here that need help.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/22/2010 12:17:48 AM

mateoc, your economic model is flawed. Higher wages bring higher buying power. In the late 50's and early 60's Americans could go straight from high school to a family wage job. No college. No waiting. Now our government has allowed our manufacturing and customer service jobs, along with our natural resources, to be shipped overseas and has allowed illegal aliens to compete for the remaining blue colar jobs. We must abandon NAFTA and enforce the immigration laws on our books. Anyway, I'd pay $4 for a hamburger at McDonalds if we could rid ourselves of illegals. Moving from state to state for better wages is not tantamount ot illegally entering a sovereign nation for better wages.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/22/2010 12:30:31 AM

Just Craziness, I thought we were talking illegal Mexican immigration here, not legal Micronesian immigration. (I was in Maui recently and I saw NO Mircronesians living on the beach.) I'm not defending the U.S. government. They are the most to blame for our current mess. We need to get back to enforcing our laws. Why are you under the impression the only way to get legal is to have America destroy your country? 500,000 Mexicans enter the U.S. annually LEGALLY. Ever heard of the end of the line? That's where foreigners start when they want to become U.S. citizens - the foreigners worthy of citizenship.
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/22/2010 12:38:36 AM

mateoc, the Haitians are coming here with the knowledge it will be temporary. I'm glad you are addressing the question of whom we should allow to be citizens. We have huge law books setting forth who gets to become a citizen and when. Almost every country on earth has laws stating who may be a citizen of that particular country. No country has a law that says if you sneak in, illegally get a job and stay undetected for x number of years - you get to be a citizen. I would automatically bar from citizenship any illegal who brings a minor illegally into the U.S. and any illegal who has an anchor baby. That is child abuse, plain and simple. Caring parents don't put their kids in a position of fearing deportation 24/7 or fearing the deportation of their parent(s) 24/7.
 
Just Craziness from Woodburn
1/22/2010 12:55:32 AM

Why don't you take your next trip to Oahu maybe the west side of the island. They are all thrown there....
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/22/2010 12:01:11 PM

Just Craziness, “There are Micronesians living on the beaches of Oahu.” That's your best argument for allowing Mexicans: to sneak into our country; steal our jobs; lower our wages; overcrowd our schools; dumb down the education system; overcrowd our prisons and jails; decimate our tax base; steal our identities; ruin our environment; drive our healthcare system to bankruptcy; clash with our culture; ruin the status of Mexican-Americans; create a second class of citizen; take spots reserved for more deserving foreigners awaiting legal entry; and otherwise ruin this country? Have you checked out U.S. House Resolution 1026 yet?
 
Smart&Cute2Boot from Lake Owego
1/22/2010 4:53:21 PM

Glad you changed from "my jobs, my wages, my schools, my environment" to "our," Bella. Narcissism also means excessive love of self. You sure displayed that. As for my name, it's the truth. I love myself, but I also demonstrate compassion for others and I would never be so narcissistic as to refer to this country and the priviliges that come with being a citizen as mine alone.
 
mateoc from Woodburn
1/22/2010 10:13:51 PM

Bella Bellotti- I am curious what line you and I had to get in to be able to be citizens? Do we deserve to be here just because we were born here? What have you and I done to make the USA what it is? Do we do more than undocumented workers and children to make the USA a better place? It sure is interesting that we forget what parts of this country once were Mexico's before we took it away from them. Do you then believe that those Mexicans who were in Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona and were removed from our country in droves should have the right to come back because they were born here just like you and I?



 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/23/2010 12:26:17 AM

S&C2B, yes, illegals are stealing "my" jobs (if I desire more than one job illegals hold). You have no logical argument in support of illegal immigration. Don't go off on a semantics tangent. My compassion lies first with my family and then my country. Illegal Mexicans harm my family and my country (see 12:01 post). I have no compassion for illegals. Where's your compassion for the millions of people in the world much worse off than Mexicans? Should we not open our borders to them BEFORE the Mexicans? Who would you let in? Everybody? There is a reason this and every other country has immigration laws. The Preamble to our Costitution lists 6 purposes of the Constitution - DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY is one of them. ILLEGALS GO HOME!
 
Bella Bellotti from ptld
1/23/2010 12:40:49 AM

mateoc, no, we don't deserve to be here just because we were born here. Anchor babies don't deserve to be here. Only a misinterpretation of our 14th Amendment is giving them this temporary citizenship status. On the other hand, if one of our parents is a legal U.S. citizen and we are born here - hell yes we deserve to be here. I had ancestors who waited in line at Ellis Island to become citizens. Is waiting in line too good for illegals? Mexico has NEVER claimed any part of Oregon. Yes, we kicked Mexican butt and forced a good deal on what is now the Southwest. Want a re-do? Want to just go back to the way things used to be? Ha ha ha ha. Someday the U.S. will fade from power and become a not so desirable place to live. I am going to do my best to prevent that from happening and I'm enjoying my status while I have it. Too bad about YOUR place of birth, but that's life - we can't all be winners. We just take what life gives us - life ain't giving illegals American citizenship again.

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