Living in LoCo
Immigration Issues Erupt (Again) in Loudoun
Erica Garman at 2:08 p.m., June 26, 2008 (23 comments)
Once more, the illegal immigration controversy is at the forefront of the Loudoun blogosphere.
The chatter started up again last week with the announcement that the sheriff's department was sending three deputies to train with ICE and that they would start checking the citizenship status of those arrested for serious offenses.
Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling Park) was invited on NPR's Politics Hour on WAMU with veteran radio personality Kojo Nnamdi hosting. Delgaudio appeared on the show that was broadcasted by both National Public Radio and NBC TV. The segment focused on Delgaudio's stand against illegal immigration and cleaning up Sterling. (Photo by Austin Backus)
As a response to this, the ACLU is researching the methods that the LCSO will be using to check immigration statuses.
A few days later, as a guest on WAMU-FM's Kojo Nnamdi Show, Supervisor Eugene Delguadio (R-Sterling Park) blamed illegal immigrants living in his district for turning the community into "a cesspool."
Adding fuel to the illegal immigration fire was news of the June 22 closing of the Mexican eatery Pepe's Place in Sterling Park due to an overcrowding violation. The restaurant is frequented by Hispanic customers, which some Sterling residents speculate are in the country illegally.
On Monday, Joe Budzinski of the Help Save Loudoun PAC, gave a detailed account on his blog, NovaTownHall, about activity in a house across the street from his, where he believes several illegal immigrant men, who may be working as contractors for Verizon, are living. Budzinski writes that in April, "Large numbers of men and construction equipment showed up simultaneously. There were 5-7 pickup trucks and various pieces of heavy equipment parked on the street every night."
Budzinski posts photos of his neighbors' activities and describes his frustration with Loudoun's lack of action over what he calls "government-sponsored blight."
Bloggers at HoodaThunk and Too Conservative chimed in with agreement to Budzinki's posting, which also had much agreement in reader comments. Some, who say they've opposed Delgaudio's choices in the past, are agreeing with him this go around.
Yvette Castro-Green, the executive director of La Voz of Loudoun, an advocacy group that assists immigrants, and works to promote a positive understanding of the Hispanic community, says Latinos in the community get a sense that they are being targeted unfairly in this intense debate. "There is a general sense of discomfort among our clients and even our volunteers who are established and legal residents here."
The previous executive director of La Voz, Laura Valle, told me that many Loudoun Hispanics who are here legally, and those who are even citizens, are afraid to travel locally without their documents -- even if they are simply taking a casual stroll down the street.
Do you think illegal immigration is an immediate problem in Loudoun? Do you think the local government should be more involved as some would suggest, or should the issue best be left to the Feds? Are you willing to pay more tax dollars to enforce immigration law locally?
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Isn't there a better way to determine if someone is here legally or not? This situation makes me so sad, because many families are legal, yet there is SO much hatred and speculation toward the Hispanic community.
Posted by SHRE (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no immigration problem in Loundon County. There is no gang problem in loundon. There is no TAX to high in loundon County. Go ahead people keep your head in the sand. The sky is falling the sky is falling.
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is apparent as has been for some time that the only way to deal with the problem of illegals in Loudoun is to make them uncomfortable about being in our community illegally. And generally that means ICE enforcement and a community effort to demonstrate they will be reported to the authorities and deported.
I think he's way late to the party, but Sherrif Simpson's efforts to get deputies trained in ICE enforcement and initiate deportment proceedings is at least a first step. When illegals realize that staying in the community brings a high risk of being caught, they will move on to a "safer" area.
Government (local and above) has shown their unwillingness to deal with this problem. So the only solution is to create an atmosphere where illegals are identified and deported.
Posted by SavedByZero (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In creating this "atmosphere," is it acceptable to you that an entire community, even those who are U.S. citizens, feels targeted to the extent that people are afraid to go out without carrying extensive documentation? Is that just collateral damage - or even worse, do some of you think it would be just peachy for the legal residents "from outside our [sic] culture" to "move on" as well?
Posted by daviddanaan (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dave - It is the illegals themselves who have created the "atmosphere" by not only invading our country, but thumbing their noses blatantly at many other laws (thereby drawing great attention to themselves).
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It's amazing how much blame you're attempting to reflect away. The tax-payers become the criminals, and the law-breaking illegal aliens are supposed to reap the benefits of protection?
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Utterly amazing ...
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently these illegals are here ready, willing and able to work. Likewise there are employers ready, willing and able to hire them. No hire, no work, no reason to stay. On the other hand, think about all that money withheld on fake social security numbers that the illegals will not be able to get back. That's gravy for Uncle Sam!
Posted by loco224 (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ohhh yes, loco - the social security program is making out like a bandit on you, because unskilled labor pays SO DARN WELL that the intakes are HUGE! Meanwhile, you send your kids to public school and receive government services... but of course, that doesn't cost MONEY! All those people are VOLUNTEERS!
Gimmie a break - get legal or get out. There is a huge illegal immigrant problem in Loudoun, and if we don't take action, it'll get as bad as Manassas or Arlington.
Posted by Hoqenishy (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Illegal aliens: Why are they here? Surely they didn't just show up like aimless wanderers? Who hires them: No hire, no work, no reason to stay.
Does anyone have reasonably solid numbers? How many illegals? How much money are they costing local governments for what kind of services? Are they making any economic contribution to the local or national economy?
Posted by loco224 (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No OTH, it was one of your comrades who made the statement about "creating an atmosphere." I am taking that person at their word and asking if it is acceptable for legal residents who appear to be of Hispanic (or other "other") origin to be caught up in the consequences of that "atmosphere" as well. I can certainly understand if you don't wish to answer the question - but we will be very clear about what the question is.
Posted by daviddanaan (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legal residents wouldn't be caught up, if their illegal countrymen would obey our law and stay in their own country.
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It may be unnacceptable to you; Thanks for sharing your feelings with us comrades (chuckle).
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Illegals will be weeded out, and if there is collateral damage in the process, register your complaints at the border (non-U.S. side, please).
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with OTH, you have no rights in this country if you are not here legally, so get out. The sheriff and Delgaudio are doing the right thing and Loudoun itself will benefit from this, which was the point in the first place. BTW, any of the legals that are "afraid" have nothing to worry about as along as they are here legally, so no complaint should even be heard from them. They might feel that they are being targeted but why should it matter if they have nothing to worry about, they're not going to get kicked out of the country if all their affairs are in order.
Posted by Ranierib86 (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So we have confirmation that you think it's fine for legal residents and U.S. citizens to be menaced by racist thugs because they might possibly be of "other" origin. Thank you for the admission. We've heard the nonsense about people who are here legally "having nothing to worry about" before. It invariably comes from those who can't even begin to imagine what it would be like not to be privileged. Let me see your ID, elitist comrade.
Posted by daviddanaan (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ranier- Please let DD have his little victories. He likes to think those that disagree with him have lost, by merely tangling with him and his superior intellect. His posts are almost always fluffed up with his personal feelings that he asserts as facts. He also likes to fancy his foes as being afraid to reply to his tripe.
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Illegals don't have a vote, and the voting LEGAL citizens are fed up with the mess that has been brought to our country by illegal aliens. America is getting smart and cracking down, and believe me, it will only intensify as we move forward.
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Any politician that paints himself as a friend of the cause of illegal aliens will be voted out of office, in very short order.
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The law is the law. Hurt feelings be damned
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OTH thanks for the advice but I don't mind little insignificants blowing what I say completely out of proportion it's what people like him do best. BTW, PRIVILEGED!!! LOL! Wow the only people that would say that about me are those that have no clue about me or are privileged themselves. We're not here to discuss the personal lives of the people commenting just the problems themselves. And I do not believe anyone that is here legally should be menaced by anyone else, just those that are here illegally because that very well may be the only way to get them out of the country. But David I do enjoy the way you argue, it's impressive. Just exaggerate what other people say and ignore the things that may lead to prove you wrong, and one of the greatest fallacies Ad Hominem. I am learning a lot from you thanks!
Posted by Ranierib86 (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My goodness. Such emotional reactions. I'm sorry that this has struck such a nerve for you dear folks, but your own words have revealed with great clarity the sort of people you are - no exaggeration is necessary. You have made it clear that you have no empathy for others. Your own privilege is completely invisible to you, which is the most telling thing of all.
One last thing, OTH: If a person is a citizen of this country, or is attempting to become one, that means that their "countrymen" are... us. Imagine that.
Posted by daviddanaan (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you have a site you visit for the lies you come up with or do you just make them up? I love how you say it's visible to all, so then you speak for everyone? I have empathy for those who deserve it but other than that you're right, but you really are good at this whole ignoring certain statements thing...Bravo!
Posted by Ranierib86 (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DD's emotions/feelings/ideologies are all facts; didn't you know?
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It's incontrovertible ... (chuckle)
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DD-
You're right - I have no empathy, sympathy, or remorse for people who flagrantly violate the federal laws of this nation and live here illegally. The only 'privilege' I receive is to pay more taxes to foot the illegals' bill.
Posted by Hoqenishy (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DD, you are absolutely correct. We are privileged to live in America. However, I do not see how this is pertinent to the discussion.
If someone is here illegally, then they should exist in an unfriendly atmosphere. If they are here legally, even if they share the ethnicity of the pre-dominant illegal’s, they shouldn't feel unwelcome. "Why?" I can hear you ask. Well, there are these neat new things called "records". People who are here legally will be in these new-fangled "records", and we will be able to tell who they are, and who they aren't. Otherwise, if they have to deal with they're papers being checked more often than not because of their ethnicity, then that is just a price they pay for the privilege of being an American citizen.
It is down right disingenuous to call people racist when the crime being committed is almost solely a single ethnic group. Friend, numbers don't lie.
So, please, stop with the slogans and polemics, and try and look at this reasonably. If what you want is for the world to be perfect, and no-one to get hurt, or be uncomfortable, then you've come to the wrong life. It would be unfortunate if legals felt uncomfortable because of the behavior and subsequent crackdown on their wayward brethren, but it is also necessay, and as we aren't targeting an ethnic group per se, but a group of law breakers, we are doing nothing wrong.
In summation: life's tough. Get over it.
Posted by ianusnoctem (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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