Immigrants want ‘a hand up, not handout'

To the editor: Monday, May 1, 2006, was “A Day Without Immigrants.” Across America, hundreds of thousands of people were chanting and waving the American flag, seeking acceptance from this country. The United States was built on the backs of immigrants and we should be proud that so many want to stand up and say “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” They weren’t asking for a handout but, a hand up. What we need is a common-sense approach to the immigration bill that would: 1. Establish a documentation process that encourages otherwise law-abiding immigrants to identify themselves and lets them stay and work in this country. 2. Secure the Mexico-U.S. border. 3. Create an effective enforcement system so that employers cannot get away with hiring (and exploiting) undocumented workers. Illegal immigrants who submit to documentation should be allowed to seek citizenship. Many of them are members of families with citizen children, who were born here after their parents arrived. Creation of a legalization process that isn’t so punitive that it discourages 12 million residents from participating is a practical, compassionate answer. But it makes no sense if the law isn’t then enforced or if illegal immigration continues unchecked. We must protect our borders. We should have been doing this especially after 9/11. The immigration population has benefited Orange County and the businesses in our area. Immigrants work in farms, restaurants, hotels, stores, etc. The residents in Orange County are enjoying the diversity that immigrants bring to our community. They are part of our labor force. Immigrants have also opened businesses. However, this forces them to create an underground economy to sustain themselves. Most immigrants are hard working with strong family values and would love to pay taxes and participate fully in the American dream. Many immigrants have to work in facilities that are not fit for humans, sleep in the worst kind of housing all because they have no voice. Let’s stop this abuse of immigrants. They are afraid to complain because of their illegal status, although on Monday, we heard their voice, loud and clear: “I want to be an American!” Manny Mangual, executive director Orange County Latino Democratic Committee