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Oklahoma
Immigration News Stories
FAIR's "STOP THE INVASION" National Protest Day on January 7th a Great Success in Oklahoma - Forty Attend Minuteman Meeting and Thirty Attend IRON Protest at Capital. News 9 Coverage
State Senator Randy Brogdon Calls on Henry Appointee to Resign for Comparing Illegal Immigration Opponents to ‘Nazis’Immigration Rhetoric Overwrought
Group Opposed to Illegal Immigration Establishes City Chapter(yes, that's us, click here for directions to our next meeting January 17)
News 9 Special: Oklahoma Minutemen on Border Stakeout
News 5 Special On Immigration
In-State Tuition for Non-Citizens Leaves Some (Illegal Alien) Students in Limbo (Daily Oklahoman also interviews IRON's own Carol and Steve)
Hispanic Leaders Warn Illegal Alien In-State Tuition Break May Be Repealed (What! We expect them to break our laws for free?Click for history)
Bill Graves Announces Fifth Congressional District Candidacy at Central Oklahoma IRON Meeting (Go Bill Go!)
Officials to Target Employers of Illegal Aliens (Capital Conference- "Nothing Is More Expensive than Cheap Labor")
IRON Fights Illegal Alien Invasion in Oklahoma
America As One Nation by former State Representive Bill Graves
Oklahoma DHS Workers Told Not to Report Illegal Aliens
Four Illegal Aliens Rape Four Minors in Shawnee (OKC and Tulsa media "missed" this one)
Coburn Urges Tight Borders, (But his facts in supporting guest-worker program are just flat wrong)
Don't think there's a criminal illegal alien gang problem in Oklahoma? Think again!
Edmond Police Report Arrests At LakeCheckpoint
In-State Tuition for Non-Citizens Leaves Some (Illegal Alien) Students in Limbo (Oklahoman also interviews IRON's own Carol and Steve)
Hispanic Leaders Warn Illegal Alien In-State Tuition Break May Be Repealed (What! We expect them to break our laws for free?Click for history)
House Bill 1485 Passes
Municipalidad Tulsa Installing Bilingual Signs
Coburn blasts security-bill supporters (Failing to secure Borders)
Oklahoma's War On TB
Bulk of Oklahoma Hispanics Are Illegal
Five Illegals At Tulsa Sunoco Were National Security Threats
Border State - "Not Texas anymore — Arkansas. Texas has been conquered by Hispanics.”
Other Oklahoma Immigration News Stories
IRON editor's Note: "I would have no problem eating any chicken that came from that Tyson plant. That would not be a concern". Yeah right. Anyone like to take some chicken, have some tubercular patient cough all over it, and send it to Mssr. Tillinghast for dinner? (Or let alone spit on it, which is the notorious Mexican reestaurant practice for gringo meals one hopes, without much good reason to, that mexican illegals do not take across the border with them).
Quite obviously this remark of the notoriously politicized State Health Department is directed at covering up the widespread scandal of the predominantly illegal alien workforce in our statesmeat packing houses, and the risk this entails for our general population. How many of the disease outbreaks from packing houses are related to this? Undoubtedly quite a few. Naturally though state governments, many of whose politicians receive ample contributions from meat packers like Tyson (Arkansas a la Clinton being the most notorious example, but others are certainly not exempt) do not wish to publicize this.
TB Confirmed In Tyson Worker In Broken Bow
BROKEN BOW, Okla. (AP) _ A confirmed case of tuberculosis in a Tyson Foods Inc. chicken plant employee has led health authorities to test 222 people for the airborne disease, the company said.
Of those tested, one has been classified as ``suspect'' and seven others were recommended to begin precautionary treatments.
The product from the plant in McCurtain County was not affected.
``TB is transmitted by breathing in infected bacterium in the air,'' said Dr. Jon Tillinghast, the state Health Department's tuberculosis expert. ``I would have no problem eating any chicken that came from that Tyson plant. That would not be a concern.''
State health officials documented 178 cases of tuberculosis last year. Twelve of those came from McCurtain County, third highest in the state, behind Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, which had 45 and 39 respectively.
TB is a serious disease that normally attacks the lungs and is spread through coughing, sneezing, or even speaking. It can be cured by antibiotics. |
Say it loud, I'm illegal and I'm proud - Illegal Immigrants pay taxes
Illegal IMMIGRANTS pay taxes
GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
03/16/2005
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A11 of News |
View in Print (PDF) Format
Paying their dues
Gloria Rubio and her family came to the United States from Mexico on a tourist visa in 2001. Her youngest daughter, Gloria Leticia, 3, was born in Tulsa. Rubio has taken advantage of the Intercultural Tax Service program offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County.
A. CUERVO / Tulsa World
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They say they want to prove that they are in the United States with the best of intentions.
Gloria Rubio is proud of paying taxes and was among the first to have her forms mailed to the Internal Revenue Service this year. She speaks to other Spanish-speaking people about the importance of paying taxes, even if they are living here illegally. Rubio understands their fear of immigration authorities and other government agencies.
She and her husband have overstayed their visas and are now living and working in the United States as illegal IMMIGRANTS. "I believe if the government sees us here -- even though we are illegal --- paying our taxes, obeying the laws and doing what we need to do to pay taxes, that it will help us," Rubio said in Spanish. "As an illegal alien, this is very important for me because it is the right thing to do. By doing this, I hope people will see that we are upstanding citizens in this city," she said. "We're really honest and trying to do what is right." Shortly after her family moved to Tulsa about three years ago, Rubio saw an advertisement in a Spanish-language newspaper about the Intercultural Tax Service program offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County. Tax preparers at the service explained that even illegal IMMIGRANTS must pay taxes. If they don't, it could hurt them if they ever have a chance to become legal residents or citizens. Since 1996, the IRS has been offering Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who are not eligible for Social Security numbers. At least 6 million such numbers have been assigned nationwide. Since the Tulsa service began in 2000, more than 6,000 taxpayer numbers have been obtained with the help of the Community Action Project program. About 80 percent of clients in the program use a taxpayer number to file. Like most other IMMIGRANTS, Rubio became convinced that it was safe to pay taxes after learning that the IRS does not share information with immigration authorities. "They are two separate agencies," Rubio said. "At first, we felt like we were taking a risk by filing taxes, but it's worked out." The Rubio family has filed taxes every year and found out about other services available through the Community Action Project. Within three years, the family was able to buy a home after attending courses on homeownership, credit counseling and saving money. They learned about the American school system and enrolled their 5-year-old in an early childhood program, where Rubio serves on a parents' committee. The couple also participate in a leadership program to promote drug-free communities. Rubio volunteers in Spanish-language programs. "From the time we applied for the (taxpayer) number, everything changed -- our lives changed," Rubio said. "I want to help out in my community just like they have helped me." Rubio said her husband works in a janitorial position while she cares for the youngest of their three children at home. "We want to be here legally," she said. "That is our first and foremost desire. We certainly want to keep our kids in school and continue our lives here. But the first thing right now for us is to be here legally." IMMIGRANTS are at risk of being taken advantage of by unscrupulous tax preparers. Rubio said she knows people who have paid large fees for a promise of a refund, only to end up with bungled paperwork. Last year, the Tulsa service helped IMMIGRANTS receive about $1.26 million in refunds. Many file back taxes to be in complete compliance with the tax laws. "The Hispanic population is paying taxes and trying to do their best to do the right thing to be here in the United States," said Judith Diaz, manager of the program. "They are not allowed to get a Social Security number, but they are paying taxes." In 2004, the service helped 4,140 taxpayers, which is a 10 percent increase from the previous year. Of those clients, 98 percent were Hispanic, 52 percent were female, 75 percent were between the ages of 24 and 44, 80 percent had a high school education or less, 72 percent had no health insurance and 100 percent were low-income. So far this year, more than 1,000 Spanish-speaking people and 45 people speaking other languages have filed taxes using the service.
Intercultural Tax Service
What: Offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Where: Next to St. Francis Xavier Church at 2532 E. Admiral Blvd. How much: Free
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com |
( and now, for the rest of the story)
just don't say it too loud - INTERIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACKDOWN BY ICE OFFICERS
Illegal immigrant arrested
By GINNIE GRAHAM AND JIM MYERS World Staff Writers
4/21/2005
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She had been featured in a recent newspaper story.
An illegal immigrant who, in a Tulsa World story, encouraged other undocumented workers to pay taxes has been arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Gloria Rubio, a stay-at-home mother of three children, was taken into custody at her home Tuesday night. Her youngest child, a 3-year-old daughter, is an American citizen.
Her husband is also an illegal immigrant and offered to go in her place, but the federal agents chose to arrest his wife. He said the agents would not allow him to make a phone call during the arrest, saying they did not want to draw media attention.
Rubio agreed to be interviewed by the World about a tax service catering to immigrants, both legal and illegal. During the interview, she said becoming legal was her priority and that paying taxes shows loyalty and support to the country. She gave consent to use her name and have a photo taken.
The story appeared on page A-11 on March 16.
Carl Rusnok, a spokesman in Dallas for the immigration service, said an anonymous letter containing the story was sent to agents in the Oklahoma City office.
"This is not retribution where we are wanting to get her because we are embarrassed by it," Rusnok said. "There is nothing like that going on. We are sensitive to seeing illegal aliens prominently displayed in newspapers.
"People here illegally should not feel so far from prosecution that they can be featured on the front page of a newspaper with immunity."
After the article was published, comments critical of Rubio were made in letters written to the editorial department and during a public meeting of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now.
At the meeting in response to a question about Rubio's interview, an immigration agent said the agents planned to arrest her.
Rusnok was not at the meeting.
"There wasn't much time at all expended to find her, and there was no pressure from elected officials to do so," Rusnok said. "We are following immigration law."
Steven Dow, the executive director of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County, which runs the tax service program, said there was a concern immigrants that will now avoid paying taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service requires all workers, illegal and legal, to pay taxes. The immigration service also considers whether a person has paid taxes in citizenship applications.
"It has taken us an enormous amount of time to build the trust within the community, particularly the undocumented immigrants who are living and working here, to get them to understand the concept of paying taxes," Dow said. "We are very, very worried this will have a chilling effect on the efforts made."
Dow said he helped locate an immigration attorney to handle Rubio's case and hopes a judge will give her a fair hearing.
"It's obvious the federal government in this case is sending a conflicting message," Dow said. "We want to take seriously that the IRS wants them to pay taxes. At the same time, you have Homeland Security deporting people who, in a visible and public way, encourage other people in a similar situation to pay their taxes."
Dow said it was obvious that Rubio was targeted for granting the interview.
"I would be hard pressed to believe that she would be at the top of the government's deportation list," he said. "Nothing in her behavior or background suggests otherwise. There have been far more egregious violations going on every day, which do not generate the government to act as swiftly, prominently and visibly as this."
The immigration service has been criticized for not more effectively enforcing immigration laws.
Last September, immigration agents authorized the release of as many as 17 possible illegal immigrants following a traffic stop on Interstate 44 near Catoosa. In 2002, about 18 illegal Mexicans were released in Tulsa with immigration agency authorization.
U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, who has made immigration one of his major issues, said the agents were correct in detaining Rubio.
"I appreciate the job they do, but I am disappointed that the only illegal immigrants they can detain are featured on the front page of the newspaper," the Oklahoma Republican said.
"We have a van of 18 -- this is just one example -- 18 illegals and juveniles with drugs and alcohol in an admitted smuggling load to Chicago. They let them go."
Sullivan once again stressed the importance of his efforts to open a local immigration and customs enforcement office in Tulsa. Not only would that help alleviate frustration with the current situation, but it would help focus the agency's efforts on apprehending those who pose dangers to the community, he said.
Sullivan believes the enforcement should not stop with Rubio and her husband, who works full time as a janitor.
"The employer is breaking the law just as badly," he said.
Rusnok said the agents failed to respond to two of 31 requests from local law enforcement through the end of September last year. There are five agents in Oklahoma with a primary responsibility of investigating immigration-related issues.
"Our highest priority is to arrest, detain and remove criminal aliens. However, that does not mean no criminal aliens will not be arrested," Rusnok said.
"Anyone in the country illegally should be well aware anytime they encounter law enforcement it is possible that will be detained and removed from the country, criminal or not."
Rubio, who is a Mexican native, let her tourist visa lapse in 2001. She is married and has three children. One is enrolled in an elementary school, one attends an early childhood center and the youngest stays home with Rubio.
The youngest child was born in the United States and is an American citizen.
The couple participate on parent committees at their children's schools, volunteer in a drug-free communities program and volunteer at church and community programs to help Spanish-speaking people.
The family was able to buy a house by saving money after attending a home-buying seminar.
Rubio will most likely appear before a federal immigration judge, who will determine whether she should be deported. If she is deported, she would be barred from entering the country legally for 10 years.
Rusnok said he did not know why the agents chose to arrest Rubio instead of her husband.
"We bend over backwards to try and keep kids together with at least one family member," Rusnok said. "Even when agents encounter an unaccompanied minor, they try to pair with a relative. The idea is to make sure children have a stable environment. Only after they fail to find any relatives do they put children in a shelter environment."
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com
Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com
Apply legally
Staff Reports
04/07/2005
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A16 of Opinion |
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ILLEGAL immigrant Gloria Rubio said ("ILLEGALimmigrants pay taxes," March 16), "We're really honest and trying to do what is right." The honest and right thing for her to do would be to return to her own country and legally apply for citizenship to the United States.
ILLEGAL immigrants steal from us daily. I'm sure my medical insurance paid for her to have her daughter in a Tulsa hospital -- ILLEGAL immigrants rarely have medical insur ance. My auto insurance pays for them not having any. My tax dollars pay for special classes in our public schools so that children of ILLEGAL immigrants can learn English and interpreters can be hired to speak with the parents. A handful of ILLEGAL immigrants paying income tax does not offset the amount they rob from us.
Cynda Eastham, Owasso
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A Minuteman Project volunteer looks over the U.S.-Mexican border near Naco, Ariz.
MATT YORK / Associated Press
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Ignoring the facts
By Staff Reports
4/23/2005
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The Tulsa World, which has never met an illegal immigrant it didn't like, is at it again with an editorial by Associate Editor Mike Jones questioning the intentions of the Minuteman Project ("Good intentions?" April 10).
Jones makes fun of the individuals (who are trying to help patrol the border) with the words "Remember, this is a group whose motto is: Americans doing the jobs Congress won't do." He questions whether the volunteers can do a better job than the U.S. government, yet admits that the lack of manpower and funds make it impossible for the government to secure the border.
Jones says that the last part of the group's motto, "Operating within the law to support enforcement of the law," sounds like that of a vigilante group. Really? He says that "its actions seem to be targeting Mexicans," and "what it really wants is to keep those brown people out of the United States." A more honest observation would be that it wants to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S.
Jones admits that illegal aliens "put a tremendous burden on the education and social systems" of some states, but excuses that with the remark that they do the work many Americans consider menial. He ignores the fact that
they also depress wages, and put some citizens out of work.
Philip L. Essley Jr., Tulsa
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(Typical TulsaWorld editors opinion who is uniformed and makes unsubstantiated statements and blatant misrepresentations of those who try to enforce the rule of law just to make a name for himself, when he wrote "And no matter how much the Minuteman Project proclaims the purity of its goal and its devotion to national security, there is an overriding sense that what it really wants is to keep those brown people out of the United States." )
Kathy Snell, of the Minuteman Project, raises the U.S. flag on the fence on Mexicao border near Naco, Ariz.
MATT YORK / Associated Press |
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Good intentions?
By MIKE JONES Associate Editor
4/10/2005
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Volunteers guard southern border
It's a good idea to have the public aware of possible threats and to enlist help in foiling any attempts to disrupt or damage the country. That's why it's difficult to fault the volunteers who are patrolling the U.S-Mexico border.
The United States has two long and unsecured borders. One is with Canada and the other is with Mexico. The vulnerability of the southern border is exposed daily by the number of illegal aliens coming into the United States from Mexico.
It is almost impossible for either of those borders to be patrolled thoroughly enough to stop illegal crossings. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies do not have the manpower or financial means to secure either border 24 hours a day.
From concerns for security has sprung the Minuteman Project. Via the Internet, it has coaxed volunteers to watch for illegal immigrants and smugglers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Its motto is: Americans doing the jobs Congress won't do. Operating within the law to support enforcement of the law.
Although the organization denies it, that motto sounds like a vigilante group. The Minuteman Project plainly states on its Web site that it will accept no funding or help from any group that considers itself racist or devoted to the supremacy of one race over another. But, by its actions it seems to be targeting Mexicans. Or at least targeting them by using the foreign terrorist excuse.
The first wave of volunteers stresses that they are there to protect the border from infiltration by illegal aliens, some of whom could be terrorists. They are right about one thing, it would be pretty easy for a group of terrorists to sneak into the United States through Mexico.
That assumes the Mexican government is doing nothing to track possible terrorists who enter Mexico. On the other hand, terrorists have entered this country legitimately without detection.
The threat of terrorists entering the United States by sneaking over the border with Mexico is real. So, as many people watching as possible is welcome.
But groups such as the Minuteman Project have been as upset over the number of illegal Mexicans entering the United States as they are terrorists.
The Minuteman Project Web site boasts that it already has hundreds of volunteers monitoring the border. And it claims that a number of illegal aliens have been reported to the Border Patrol. In fact, it says that a group of 18 aliens was reported last week, including an alien from Guatemala. At last check, Guatemala was not a member of the Axis of Evil.
According to accounts from the Associated Press in Arizona, where many of the illegal aliens cross the border, the volunteers gathered in groups of three or four, spaced out over about every quarter mile. Some were armed and some set up lawn chairs either on the ground or in the backs of their pickup trucks and scanned the horizon with binoculars.
Dave Carpinello, a Denver investment banker -- carrying a pistol and wearing a T-shirt that said "I defended the border" -- told the AP that he was defending the border against terrorists. "Anyone and their mother could fly to Mexico and walk right over here. That's a scary thought," he said.
The Minuteman Project has been peaceful so far, according to the Border Patrol. Nevertheless, volunteers cause some problems by accidently tripping sensors that alert the Border Patrol to intruders. Every time a sensor goes off, the agents must inspect the cause. If it is one of the volunteers, the trip is a waste of time and pulls agents away from other, more important, work.
The Minuteman Project plans to continue its volunteer patrol through April in 24-hour shifts. The volunteers, no doubt, will find a good deal of illegal aliens trying to get into the United States.
Again, civilians being aware of what's happening around them and reporting suspicious or illegal behavior is commendable. But there is the potential for trouble in a volunteer project. The desert is by its very nature desolate. What is to keep the wrong sort of volunteers from becoming their own judge and jury and administer some "justice" that might never be heard of outside the desert?
What happens when a segment of the volunteer group decides that it can do a better job of patrolling the border than the U.S. government? A lone patrolman coming upon a group of armed vigilantes who are not too fond of government agents could spell disaster.
Remember this is a group whose motto is: Americans doing the jobs Congress won't do. Let's hope that they adhere strictly to the second part of that motto: Operating within the law to support enforcement of the law.
And no matter how much the Minuteman Project proclaims the purity of its goal and its devotion to national security, there is an overriding sense that what it really wants is to keep those brown people out of the United States.
Is there a problem with illegal aliens in this country? Of course. In some states, particularly California and Arizona, they put a tremendous burden on the education and social systems. It's a problem with no easy solution. But what the xenophobes don't comprehend is that the Mexicans, legal and illegal, are doing the work that many Americans consider menial.
Is there a danger of foreign terrorists entering the country through any one of thousands of miles of unsecured borders, both north and south? Yes. But, untrained, armed volunteers patrolling the border is not the answer.
An aware and educated public would be a great help in the search for real terrorists on our soil. But an armed group that seems more concerned about illegal Mexican aliens than foreign terrorists and whose motives might be suspect is not the answer.
Mike Jones 918-581-8332
mike.jones@tulsaworld.com
Apply legally
Staff Reports
04/07/2005
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A16 of Opinion |
View in Print (PDF) Format
Gloria Rubio and her daughter
A. CUERVO / Tulsa World |
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ILLEGAL immigrant Gloria Rubio said (" ILLEGAL immigrants pay taxes," March 16), "We're really honest and trying to do what is right." The honest and right thing for her to do would be to return to her own country and legally apply for citizenship to the United States .
ILLEGAL immigrants steal from us daily. I'm sure my medical insurance paid for her to have her daughter in a Tulsa hospital -- ILLEGAL immigrants rarely have medical insur ance. My auto insurance pays for them not having any.
My tax dollars pay for special classes in our public schools so that children of ILLEGAL immigrants can learn English and interpreters can be hired to speak with the parents. A handful of ILLEGAL immigrants paying income tax does not offset the amount they rob from us.
Cynda Eastham, Owasso |
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Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
Illegal IMMIGRANTS pay taxes
GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
03/16/2005
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A11 of News |
View in Print (PDF) Format
Paying their dues
Gloria Rubio and her family came to the United States from Mexico on a tourist visa in 2001. Her youngest daughter, Gloria Leticia, 3, was born in Tulsa . Rubio has taken advantage of the Intercultural Tax Service program offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County .
A. CUERVO / Tulsa World |
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They say they want to prove that they are in the United States with the best of intentions.
Gloria Rubio is proud of paying taxes and was among the first to have her forms mailed to the Internal Revenue Service this year.
She speaks to other Spanish-speaking people about the importance of paying taxes, even if they are living here illegally.
Rubio understands their fear of immigration authorities and other government agencies.
She and her husband have overstayed their visas and are now living and working in the United States as illegal IMMIGRANTS.
"I believe if the government sees us here -- even though we are illegal --- paying our taxes, obeying the laws and doing what we need to do to pay taxes, that it will help us," Rubio said in Spanish.
"As an illegal alien, this is very important for me because it is the right thing to do. By doing this, I hope people will see that we are upstanding citizens in this city," she said.
"We're really honest and trying to do what is right."
Shortly after her family moved to Tulsa about three years ago, Rubio saw an advertisement in a Spanish-language newspaper about the Intercultural Tax Service program offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County.
Tax preparers at the service explained that even illegal IMMIGRANTS must pay taxes. If they don't, it could hurt them if they ever have a chance to become legal residents or citizens.
Since 1996, the IRS has been offering Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who are not eligible for Social Security numbers. At least 6 million such numbers have been assigned nationwide.
Since the Tulsa service began in 2000, more than 6,000 taxpayer numbers have been obtained with the help of the Community Action Project program.
About 80 percent of clients in the program use a taxpayer number to file.
Like most other IMMIGRANTS, Rubio became convinced that it was safe to pay taxes after learning that the IRS does not share information with immigration authorities.
"They are two separate agencies," Rubio said. "At first, we felt like we were taking a risk by filing taxes, but it's worked out."
The Rubio family has filed taxes every year and found out about other services available through the Community Action Project.
Within three years, the family was able to buy a home after attending courses on homeownership, credit counseling and saving money.
They learned about the American school system and enrolled their 5-year-old in an early childhood program, where Rubio serves on a parents' committee.
The couple also participate in a leadership program to promote drug-free communities. Rubio volunteers in Spanish-language programs.
"From the time we applied for the (taxpayer) number, everything changed -- our lives changed," Rubio said. "I want to help out in my community just like they have helped me."
Rubio said her husband works in a janitorial position while she cares for the youngest of their three children at home.
"We want to be here legally," she said. "That is our first and foremost desire. We certainly want to keep our kids in school and continue our lives here. But the first thing right now for us is to be here legally."
IMMIGRANTS are at risk of being taken advantage of by unscrupulous tax preparers. Rubio said she knows people who have paid large fees for a promise of a refund, only to end up with bungled paperwork.
Last year, the Tulsa service helped IMMIGRANTS receive about $1.26 million in refunds. Many file back taxes to be in complete compliance with the tax laws.
"The Hispanic population is paying taxes and trying to do their best to do the right thing to be here in the United States ," said Judith Diaz, manager of the program. "They are not allowed to get a Social Security number, but they are paying taxes."
In 2004, the service helped 4,140 taxpayers, which is a 10 percent increase from the previous year.
Of those clients, 98 percent were Hispanic, 52 percent were female, 75 percent were between the ages of 24 and 44, 80 percent had a high school education or less, 72 percent had no health insurance and 100 percent were low-income.
So far this year, more than 1,000 Spanish-speaking people and 45 people speaking other languages have filed taxes using the service.
Intercultural Tax Service
What: Offered by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Where: Next to St. Francis Xavier Church at 2532 E. Admiral Blvd.
How much: Free
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com |
Arkansas Senate endorses immigrant college funding
By MELISSA NELSON Associated Press
3/31/2005
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The bill allows undocumented children of illegal immigrants to receive scholarships.
LITTLE ROCK -- A bill that would allow the undocumented children of illegal immigrants to receive college scholarships was endorsed Wednesday by a Senate committee that previously had rejected the measure.
The bill by Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, cleared the Senate Education Committee on a voice vote. Earlier, a version of the bill had passed in the House.
Gov. Mike Huckabee has defended the measure, saying that children of illegal immigrants should be allowed to further their education and shouldn't be punished for something their parents did.
The bill also would allow for in-state tuition to anyone who has been in the state for at least three years.
Elliott brought the bill back up in the Senate committee after adjusting language to address equal protection concerns. Also, Sen. Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, who supports the measure, was in attendance for Wednesday's vote. He had been out previously because of back surgery.
"I'm ecstatic this has finally gotten out of committee," Elliott said. "This allows undocumented children to pay their own way
to state colleges and universities and those very few students who qualify to receive scholarships. This isn't giving anyone anything," she said.
Elliott said she planned to wait and gather support for the legislation before running it in the Senate.
"I have a great deal of work to do," she said.
In her presentation to the committee, Elliott shared the story of four undocumented Arizona high school students who defeated Massachusetts Institute of Technology students in an engineering competition.
Elliott said the students have no hope of going to college in the United States because Arizona law prohibits them from attending a university in that state.
"Let's not create the same circumstance for children in Arkansas," she said.
Sen. Dave Bisbee, R-Rogers and an opponent of the bill, questioned whether Elliott's amendment to the bill would prohibit some colleges and universities that are currently opening their doors to undocumented students from doing so if the students have not been in the state for three years.
But Elliott said the bill would provide cover for all colleges and universities to allow the students to attend.
Sen. Steve Bryles, D-Blytheville, then moved to cut off debate, saying the committee had sufficiently covered the issue in a daylong hearing earlier this month.
"I move for immediate consideration. This has been debated and debated and debated in here," he said.
Tulsa State Farm agency owner Ed Martinez will be presented the Avance Award Thursday as Hispanic Business of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
DAVID CRENSHAW / Tulsa World |
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Hispanic insurer due honor
By DEBBIE BLOSSOM World Staff Writer
3/31/2005
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Ed Martinez's State Farm agency has been named Hispanic business of the year in Tulsa.
For Tulsa businessman Ed Martinez, the opportunity to own his own insurance agency came along in 1996 just as the city's Hispanic population began to gain momentum.
To grab the attention of those Spanish-speaking residents and stand out among the 62 other State Farm agents in the area, Martinez ran a radio ad in Spanish four times a day on the only station targeting Hispanics.
And every time the ad ran, his telephone would ring.
"It was just amazing," he said. "I didn't think it would be that successful."
Eight years later, Martinez's agen cy is thriving even as the percentage of Hispanic residents continues to climb.
For his support of those Hispanic people who live and work here, Martinez is being honored Thursday evening by the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during the chamber's fifth annual Excelencia Awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place.
Martinez will be presented with the Avance Award, given to the Hispanic Business of the Year for its contributions to the area's economic growth and expansion.
"I feel honored because it's recognition by my peers," he said. "I have succeeded because so many people have helped me and my business."
Martinez connects with the Hispanic market through four bilingual employees, and says his business is now trending toward more and more Spanish-speaking customers.
About 20 percent of his business comes from Hispanic clients, he said, "and 60 percent to 70 percent of new business is Hispanic."
"I think one day it will be 40 percent non-Hispanic and 60 percent Hispanic, and if business owners aren't looking at it that way, they are missing the boat."
Through his State Farm agency, Martinez is involved with annual back-to-school events and school supply drives for Hispanic children. His involvement with the chamber includes being one of the group's founding members and past board member for three terms.
He now serves on the chamber's Small Business Academy advisory committee.
With a theme of "Progressing Together: For a Better Future," the Excelencia Awards will also honor one global company and some county politicians for their roles in promoting Hispanic events and culture.
Bob Dick, chairman of the board of County Commissioners, will accept the Bendana Amigo Award recognizing the commissioners' efforts in promoting awareness of Hispanic events such as last year's Charreada de Tulsa, which was a Mexican rodeo at Expo Square; and the 2004 Festival Hispano at Bell's Amusement Park.
The Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, which includes the commissioners and is the governing body for Expo Square, "has actively worked to produce activities attractive to Hispanic residents, who are obviously a very growing part of our community," Dick said.
The commissioners in particular -- Dick, Wilbert Collins and Randi Miller -- have tried to become more knowledgeable about Hispanic culture and work with the Hispanic chamber and its director, Fred Ramos, Dick said.
"That integration of communities is what needs to happen," the chairman said.
Scott Drysdale, general manager of Anheuser-Busch Inc., will be presented the chamber's Adelante Award for corporate partner of the year. That honor goes to a company that is active in the chamber and its programs, and has a record of working with Hispanic businesses both locally and nationally.
Through corporate sponsorships, Anheuser-Busch has donated refreshments and signs for many events, including the annual Charreada de Tulsa and Festival Hispano.
At the national level, Anheuser-Busch is the largest corporate contributor to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, with more than $18 million donated since 1982 resulting in 16,000 scholarships.
Gary Trennepohl, president of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, is honorary chair of this year's event. Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune is the evening's keynote speaker.
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was established in 1999 to advocate, develop and advance Hispanic business interests in the greater Tulsa metropolitan area and throughout the state.
Debbie Blossom 581-8387
debbie.blossom@tulsaworld.com
Meeting addresses illegal immigration
By TOM DROEGE World Staff Writer
3/31/2005
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Frustrated with the number of undocumented immigrants in Tulsa, a local group met Wednesday night with officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to discuss enforcement efforts in the state.
"We just want to sound an alarm," said Carol Helm of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now, the group that organized the meeting. "We're not here to pull the state apart or make someone's job harder. We are here to educate."
Chris Bentley of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said estimates showed that Oklahoma had 60,000 undocumented immigrants in 2004, with about 70 percent of them from Mexico.
But advocates of the local Hispanic community say they believe that even more undocumented immigrants are living in Tulsa.
Bentley said about 8.5 million undocumented immigrants were living in the United States in 2004.
During the meeting at Hardesty Regional Library, OHP Chief Gary Adams and Jerry Valentine of the homeland security department's Immigrations Customs Enforcement office in Oklahoma talked about how their agencies are dealing with undocumented immigrants.
Adams said it is not unusual for state
troopers to encounter undocumented immigrants through routine traffic stops on the state's highways.
Troopers who believe that they have stopped undocumented immigrants notify ICE agents, who handle interviews and any subsequent deportations, he said.
Adams emphasized that although the system is not perfect, communication between the authorities has improved.
"We have better communication amongst each other," he said. "What we have now is a network that works together."
Valentine, an ICE group supervisor, said his agency's problem is inadequate staffing. ICE has one office in Oklahoma City.
"I have three agents," Valentine said. "If I can get some more agents we will reach out to Tulsa."
Much of what is being done about undocumented immigrants is not publicized, Valentine said, and he noted that he is prepared to begin a public relations effort to better inform residents.
He urged those unhappy with the immigration situation to organize and let their local and state representatives know how they feel.
"You need to fill these chairs up," he said.
About 10 people attended the meeting, along with Susan Tully of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
Helm, the coordinator of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now, said the group formed in March 2004 to oppose "illegal alien invasions of America."
The meeting participants talked on topics ranging from the drain that undocumented immigrants put on the public schools to companies that employ them illegally.
"It's the most critical problem that we face today," said Bill Kohl, citing social, medical and criminal costs. "This problem is going to be won at the ballot box, not at the border."
Tom Droege 581-8361
tom.droege@tulsaworld.com
 If you've ever driven through east Tulsa, you've probably noticed the billboards in Spanish. That's just one of the signs of Tulsa's growing Hispanic population.
6 in the Morning reporter Omar Villafranca says Tulsa Police are trying to stay ahead of the growth spurt.
One of the toughest challenges Tulsa Police face on the streets is the language barrier. What seems like a normal traffic stop for Officer David Smasel turns into a cultural lesson for him and the driver. The driver doesn't have an American driver's license and now, knows he has to have one.
Officer Smasel patrols east Tulsa, where a large part of the population is Hispanic. He uses Spanish tapes and books to help with the language. “My Spanish is better. I can get through about any call if I have enough time." But the growing Hispanic population isn't waiting.
The Santa Cecilia Market is a hub for Hispanic business, but it's also a place where Tulsa Police get a lot of calls. They're hoping that one day, they'll be able to walk the beat and learn about problems in the Hispanic community, before they happen
Officer Smasel says walking the beat would give him more time to learn more about the community he protects and learn the customs. He believes that translates into better service. "You can give me a class on Hispanic culture, but I've never lived it, I've never done it and there is no comparison with somebody who grew up in a Spanish speaking home or is bilingual.” But until there are more bilingual police officers to do the job, Officer Smasel and the booming Hispanic community will have to endure the growing pains.
The Tulsa Police Department is actively recruiting Hispanic and bilingual officers. Currently, there are 12 bilingual officers on the force and the department says they desperately want to increase that number.
(-IRON Comment -Okay, what did I miss here about the driver who was pulled over and this journalist with the police officer described the event as "the driver doesn't have an AMERICAN license and now, knows he has to have one". What the? And the journalist goes on to describe this as a "cultural lesson for him and the officer". What the? Obviously someone who doesn't know our traffic laws and is driving w/o a valid drivers license (and probably only speaks Spanish) might be illegal......maybe. Did this driver have his vehicle impounded or seized since he had no valid drivers license; not to mention no car insurance (which the journalist failed to mention.....maybe 'cause the driver didn't know he had to have AMERICAN car insurance) or was the driver just ticketed (I'm sure the driver gave the officer his REAL name, too)? Strange, I think I'll write to this journalist and thank them for this insighful article and let them know I had no idea that the next time I'm pulled over by the police and they ask to see my drivers license I can reply "I didn't know I had to have an AMERICAN drivers license to drive in this country" or "do you mean my AMERICAN drivers license officer").
Bulk Of Oklahoma Immigrants Are Undocumented
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A federal report says nearly 40 percent of Oklahoma's foreign-born population are in the country illegally.
The report by the Pew Hispanic Center says Oklahoma has between 55,000 and 85,000 undocumented immigrants.
The report says at least 21 states have more illegal immigrants than Oklahoma, but that areas with a once small population of immigrants are now seeing rapid growth. States with a growing number of both legal and illegal immigrants tend to be where the new jobs are in construction, landscaping, poultry and hog processing.
The Washington, DC-based Pew Hispanic Center is a nonpartisan research organization supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts to improve understanding of the US Hispanic population and its growing impact.
Operation Ice Storm was the culmination of an 18-month investigation by Enid Police Detective Rick Tanner after he received information from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials about an Enid resident importing drugs from Mexico.
Tanner and the police departments narcotics unit teamed with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics to investigate Enid resident Bentura Mora and identify most of his associates.
Tanner gained key information into the daily workings of Mora's organization and the identities of his suppliers, distributors and customers, according to press release from the narcotics unit.
Eleven different law enforcement agencies combined early Friday morning to arrest most of the suspects targeted in the raid.
Authorities also seized an unknown amount of cash and drugs.
See Saturdays News & Eagle for more information.
Customs lacks agents, sheriffs say
By Dawn Marks
The Oklahoman
Oklahoma sheriffs are frustrated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents often won't pick up illegal immigrants discovered during traffic stops.
Some sheriffs along human smuggling routes said they think federal agents are doing their best but Oklahoma needs more agents.
Pittsburg County Sheriff Jerome "Snookie" Amaranto no longer spends time patrolling for illegal immigrants on U.S. 69.
There's no sense in it, he said, because he's forced to release most illegal immigrants when customs officials decline to pick them up.
"They just say they don't have money or staff," Amaranto said. "We don't even waste a phone call."
U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Tulsa, said he's concerned and plans to introduce legislation this week to open another customs enforcement office in Oklahoma.
Right now, Oklahoma has only one office -- in Oklahoma City -- and 12 agents, he said. That's too few for a population of 3.5 million residents, especially when surrounding states have more, he said. Colorado, for example, has 16 offices.
"We probably need at least eight offices," Sullivan said. "Other states have it. We don't. We're not equipping local law enforcement."
In a Jan. 5 letter, Sullivan requested from the agency information regarding the number of offices and agents in each state, the number of illegal immigrants detained in the commission of a crime in Oklahoma and the number released without judicial review. He also asked for estimates of how many illegals cross into Oklahoma every day. Though Sullivan requested the information by Feb. 5, he hasn't received it.
Agency officials say they're doing what they can. The office received 31 requests to pick up illegal immigrants from October 2003 to September 2004, and did so in a timely manner 29 times, agency spokesman Carl Rusnok said.
"Our ICE duty officers try to get there as quickly as possible," he said. "Just like every other agency, we manage our resources. All the time it requires prioritizing."
Shane Saunders, Sullivan's press secretary, said the congressman also has not received an estimate of how many requests for pick-ups the agency receives from law enforcement.
"Our best guess is at least a call a day," he said.
Sullivan wants the agency to implement quick-response teams always on call to help law enforcement agencies on nights and weekends. Sometimes, officers are forced to let groups go even though they have drugs in the car or juveniles without guardians, he said.
For example, the Catoosa Police Department released 17 in September even though they had beer and juveniles in the vehicle, Saunders said. Police detained one from the group because he had cocaine, he said.
Tulsa County sheriff's deputies detained 18 suspected illegal immigrants for two hours in July 2002 after they stopped a van for a missing taillight. The immigrants, including three juveniles, were released at the request of federal immigration authorities.
Intelligence reports indicate the next round of terrorists may enter the country from the south. Sullivan said ICE should detain more people and run background checks to ensure they aren't terrorists.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testified at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security subcommittee hearing Wednesday that human trafficking networks threaten national security because vehicles can avoid ports of entry and smuggle people and materials across the border. However, he said agents need to balance all their missions and concentrate heavily on those that pay off the greatest toward homeland security.
Though terrorists could blend in with illegal immigrants in theory, it's probably easier for them to enter legally with visas rather than across the Mexican border with human smugglers, said Donald R. Hamilton, deputy director of the Oklahoma National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism.
"That's an easier and surer way to get into the United States," he said. "The terrorists know this and they're prepared to be patient."
Plenty to do
Agents also investigate terrorism, drug smuggling, child pornography and other criminal activity crossing the nation's borders.
Some counties, such as Garfield and Jackson, reported prompt assistance from agents.
Though Major County usually receives quick service, that may stop, Undersheriff Steven Randolph said, because the agency recently said it can pick up only loads of at least 14 to 18.
Randolph said deputies usually find groups of about eight to 12 traveling along U.S. 412, which means they now will let more go.
"They said that they are understaffed," he said.
Some sheriffs said agents pick up illegals if prosecutors file felony charges, but Amaranto said though he always seeks charges against those who commit a crime, they usually go free after serving their time in jail instead of being deported.
Sheriffs in the Oklahoma Panhandle often deal with illegal immigrants since their counties border other states, but they're also farther away from the agency office.
Bill fights 'illegal competition' in job market
By Ron Jenkins
Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Tulsa senator is sponsoring what proponents are calling a groundbreaking approach to a dire economic problem by penalizing employers who hire illegal immigrants.
The Oklahoma Fair Employment Act, by Sen. Tom Adelson, would penalize employers who hire illegal aliens and give employees who are displaced because of those hirings legal status to sue.
Since appearing on Lou Dobbs ''Moneyline'' on CNN, Adelson has been drawing praise from national immigration reform groups, who contend the influx of illegal immigrants is suppressing wages and threatening the American middle class.
''This is first-of-its kind legislation in the country. It is a bellwether and I am sure we will see similar bills like this,'' said Dan Stein, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Federation for American Immigration Reform, known as FAIR.
''This is stuff that should have been done by Congress 15 years ago,'' Stein said.
But the legislation has its critics, including the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where officials think the issue of displaced U.S. workers is overblown.
The U.S. Census in 2004 estimated Oklahoma an illegal resident population of 46,000. The state has 3.5 million residents, of which about 305,000 are foreign-born.
Adelson said it may be a bigger issue in other states such as Arizona and Texas , which border Mexico , but ''it is an issue everywhere unskilled labor is subject to illegal competition.''
David Castillo, chairman of the Hispanic chamber, said the bill is ''bad for business'' and also bad for thousands of hardworking, legal Hispanic immigrants who could be penalized if the legislation is enacted.
Under the measure, a company that hires illegal immigrants would have its certificate of incorporation suspended and lose any income tax deductions linked to payments to the immigrants.
The bill describes illegal immigrants as ''illegal laborers'' and says the state finds that anyone who hires such laborers ''have systematically distorted the labor market of this state by reducing wages, adversely affecting working conditions and evading taxes.''
''Employment of unauthorized illegal laborers should be viewed as any other illegal business practice, that is, a means to exploit others and to gain an advantage over law-abiding competitors,'' the bill declares.
The issue of illegal immigration is especially sensitive in southwestern states, as illustrated in the recent U.S. Senate campaign in Oklahoman when Republican Tom Coburn was criticized over a television ad that showed images of Hispanics and dark hands receiving welfare payments.
The Republican Senatorial Committee sponsored the commercials, which said Democrat Brad Carson had voted in Congress to make it easier for illegal immigrants to ''cross our borders and take our jobs'' and to allow them to easier access to welfare.
Spokesmen for human rights groups demanded that the ads be pulled and also criticized Carson, who was defeated by Coburn, for saying that illegal immigration and government policies encourage business to send jobs overseas and depress wages.
''Certainly there is bigotry out there and that is unfortunate,'' said Adelson, while adding that he believes American is a ''blessed country'' because of its diversity.
''This is just simply a matter of the widespread illegal practice of hiring illegal workers,'' said the senator, a former health secretary in Gov. Brad Henry's cabinet.
His measure is awaiting action in the Senate Business and Labor Committee and Adelson said he is confident it will be approved and go to the full Senate.
Castillo said his organization opposes illegal immigration but also recognizes that many people are coming to the U.S. because of economics and ''a lot of them are hardworking people that want to make a better life for their families just like all of us do.''
He said he supports President Bush's ''guest worker'' program for illegal immigrants.
Castillo said he had talked to Adelson and ''he seemed to be sincere. He brought up the point about cheap labor and he also had a bill that would raise the minimum wage. We told him we would be happy to support him that way.''
Suggesting that many Americans don't want to do menial jobs for the minimum wage, Castillo said raising it could change that scenario.
A committee has passed Adelson's bill to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour to the Senate floor, but it's fate is uncertain.
It is opposed by many business interests and Castillo said his organization may be the only chamber of commerce in the state supporting a higher minimum wage.
A similar bill was killed by the Republican chairman of the House Commerce, Industry and Labor Committee.
Texas arrests Honduran bus massacre suspect
Reputed gang leader linked to killing of 28 in December
The Associated Press Updated: 9:21 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2005
WASHINGTON - A man wanted by the Honduran government for a bus massacre that killed 28 people, including six children, was arrested this month in Texas, the Homeland Security Department said Wednesday.
Authorities described the man, Ebner Anibal Rivera-Paz, who also goes by the name of Franko Jairo Rivera Hernandez, as the reputed leader of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang in Honduras.
The Central American gang, which has members in this country, is considered violent, and U.S. officials are concerned that they might help sneak al-Qaida terrorists into the United States .
Rivera-Paz was arrested Feb. 10 by the Texas highway patrol about 100 miles north of the U.S.-Mexican border. He was turned over to the Border Patrol for processing. An investigation that included the FBI confirmed he was wanted by the Honduran government, the Homeland Security Department said in a statement.
Authorities suspect he was involved in a bus massacre Dec. 23 outside the northern city of San Pedro Sula , about 125 miles north of the Honduras capital, Tegucigalpa .
The bus was filled with workers returning home and Christmas shoppers.
The armed men cut off the bus and fired inside and outside it. There were 56 people on the bus, mostly women and children.
The gunmen claimed in a message left on the bus’s windshield that they were part of a previously unknown revolutionary group opposed to the death penalty. Executions were stopped in the 1950s.
The announcement of the arrest comes as law enforcement officials from across the United States and Central America are meeting in San Salvador to discuss ways to keep the gang from extending its influence.
James Loy, deputy Homeland Security secretary, told Congress last week there was growing intelligence suggesting al-Qaida was considering entering the United States across the Mexican border, although he had nothing conclusive. He said that in addition to al-Qaida, “we are seeing the emergence of other threatening groups and gangs like MS-13 that will also be destabilizing influences.”
Mayes County Authorities Looking for Suspect In Fatal Shooting |
Monday February 28, 2005 7:38am Posted By: Kevin King |
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Adair - Authorities are searching for the suspect in a shooting that left one man dead and another clinging to life. It happened Sunday night in Mayes County , where the search for Juan Javier Martinez continues.
Police are looking for 21-year-old Juan C. Javier Martinez in connection with the shootings that took place at Ford's Dairy, about six miles east of Adair in Mayes County. The shootings happened Sunday night at about 8:00 p.m.
Authorities say Martinez worked at the dairy and that the shootings may be part of an ongoing dispute between two brothers.
22-year-old Andres Cruz was killed in the gunfire. A second man, 21-year-old Jose Cruz, was taken by witnesses to a convenience store in nearby Langley , where he was then transported to a Tulsa hospital.
Jose Cruz is in intensive care, but listed in stable condition.
Martinez is described as an Hispanic male, about 5-foot-8 and 133 pounds. He has long, black hair and a goatee.
Altus city employees sue over English-only policy
By Julie E. Bisbee
Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A dozen bilingual Altus city employees who were told not to speak Spanish at work have filed a federal lawsuit against their employer.
The employees, 12 of Altus 's 26 Hispanic employees, filed a lawsuit earlier this week alleging that the city's English-only policy is discriminatory and violates federal law.
Altus , a town of about 20,000, is located 15 miles north of the Texas state line. Hispanics make up about 16 percent of Jackson County 's population and are the largest minority group in that area.
Massive farms, meat processing plants and cotton gins lure migrant workers to the area and the town has an established community of Hispanics, most whom were born and raised in Altus .
Spanish phrases have been a part of the culture of this western Oklahoma town for decades. So when city officials told street crew workers that they could not speak Spanish on the radio or during working hours, and an administrative policy was drafted it was a surprise.
''There was never a problem before,'' said Leticia Sanchez, a plaintiff in the case and an administrative assistant to the mayor.
Leticia and her husband Tommy Sanchez, a supervisor for the street crews, filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Shortly after, 10 more Hispanic employees followed.
The commission ruled in favor of the employees, saying the city's English-only policy discriminated against Hispanic employees and the Department of Justice issued the 12 employees right to sue letters.
Altus city officials did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.
In their federal complaint, the plaintiffs say the city officials not only discriminated against them, but also retaliated with discipline, slurs and denial of promotions and pay.
Leticia Sanchez has worked for the city since she graduated from high school nearly 19 years ago. In the past she has been named supervisor of the year and employee of the quarter.
But she doesn't expect those accolades this year.
''We've been labeled as trouble makers,'' Sanchez said. ''But they (plaintiffs) feel like if they don't stand up now, what's going to happen next? They realize it will happen to their kids. They're truly concerned.''
Leticia Sanchez had filed an earlier compliant against the city in 2000 after she was denied a promotion.
Since the English-only policy was adopted last summer Sanchez and her husband have founded a League of United Latin American Citizens chapter. With a handful of members the group has hosted candidate forums for the upcoming election and tried to educate community members on issues important to the Hispanic community.
While membership is growing, Sanchez said some Hispanics are hesitant to get involved, for fear they might be retaliated against, something LULAC is trying to battle.
''They cannot just keep trying to condition us,'' Sanchez said. ''But I don't think they know that they've attacked who we are. They don't realize what they've done.''
Story last updated at 11:27 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2003
Language debate puts state town on national hot seat
The City of Altus has found itself in a difficult position with no easy answers. Some of its employees have sued the city over a policy that requires them to speak only English while they're working. The ban on other languages doesn't include breaks or lunchtime.
The policy mostly affects Spanish-speaking employees in a county -- Jackson -- that's 15.6 percent Hispanic. It has landed Altus officials in the middle of a national debate over whether this country should make English its official language or whether it should accommodate those who don't speak it.
The Latino population became the fastest-growing minority in the last decade, and since so many of them speak Spanish, the debate isn't going to go away.
More and more, businesses and government agencies need bilingual speakers to help provide their services. And no politician wants to alienate a segment of the population that's growing so quickly it's becoming a force in this country's political process.
But a workplace should be free of hostility, and it's hard to argue whether requiring Altus city employees to speak only English on the job fosters a hostile atmosphere or diffuses one.
Those who speak only English may feel excluded, even made fun of, when employees conduct their business with each other in Spanish. Meanwhile, those for whom Spanish comes naturally shouldn't feel stigmatized for using their native tongues with each other.
Gone are the days when a minority population, like the American Indians, were banned from uttering a word of their native language in school. Thank goodness. The richness of language adds to the richness of culture. But English is also the language that unites us as a country.
It's too bad that anyone had to turn to written policy and then the courts to resolve this issue.
-- The Daily Oklahoman
Huckabee aid plan for illegal aliens draws 'venom, anger'
Sunday, Jan 16, 2005
By David Robinson
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Huckabee's proposal last week to provide college scholarships and loans to illegal immigrants has sparked some emotional talk if not much ink compared to his other proposals.
Huckabee wants the Legislature to adopt a law that would allow all immigrants who graduate from an Arkansas high school to be treated the same as other graduates.
Aimed primarily at the state's growing Hispanic population, the governor introduced his proposal to lawmakers on Tuesday and almost immediately was on the defensive.
Radio and television talk shows have devoted time to the issue, with callers to one radio program blistering Huckabee's idea. Lawmakers in Northwest Arkansas , home to many of the state's Hispanics, also have had little good to say about it.
The governor said in an interview Thursday that he had heard callers to the radio program.
"It was humorous because they were so misinformed," he said. "You could just see all this venom and anger coming out.
"It was as if they thought some kid could swim the Rio Grande tonight and walk in and go have free tuition tomorrow at the University of Arkansas . Clearly, that is not the case," he said.
Huckabee gives the example of Hispanic children brought to the United States at an early age and who have excelled in the state's K-12 public education system.
"We're not saying that they're getting any special consideration or extra consideration, but that they would simply be treated as any other graduate of an Arkansas high school," Huckabee said. "If they met the criteria to qualify for financial aid, fine. I think it's an issue of basic fairness and consistency. It's highly inconsistent for us to treat that person like an Arkansas student for 13 years and suddenly treat them differently once they have actually succeeded."
Under the governor's proposal, such students could qualify for the state's Academic Challenge and Governor's Distinguished scholarships just like other high-performing high school students. They also could go to college at the cheaper in-state tuition rate.
According to Huckabee's agenda book, seven states allow undocumented immigrant children to pay in-state tuition - California, Illinois, Oklahoma, New York, Texas, Utah and Washington.
A proposed federal law would give such students temporary legal status and expedite their citizenship.
Lawmakers in Northwest Arkansas who aren't too keen on the idea say their constituents are already letting them know how they feel.
What has citizens concerned, said Rep. Mike Kenney, R-Siloam Springs, and other lawmakers, is that the word "illegal" is associated with the immigrants' status.
"If somebody is illegally here, how can you legally take tax dollars and give them something that people who have been in this country a long time that are paying taxes aren't even entitled to, so to speak," Kenney said.
Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, said the state must do a better job educating its legal citizens, noting that the state is tied with West Virginia in having the lowest percentage of adults with a college degree.
"Illegal to me means not legal," Altes said. "We need to take care of first things first and that's the people that pay the taxes."
"This has nothing to do with Hispanics or nationalities," said Sen. Dave Bisbee, R-Rogers. "What we're talking about here is college scholarships for people that are illegal."
Bisbee said he would prefer to see the students' legal status changed as proposed by President Bush.
Huckabee objects to calling the children of illegal residents "illegal," because he said they're in the state at no choice of their own.
"It conjures up to me the very things that to me inflame people," Huckabee said. "I think it would be more accurate to call them an undocumented immigrant."
Despite some of the negative comments by several lawmakers, the door hasn't closed on the idea.
Rep. Doug Matayo, R-Springdale, the governor's House floor leader, said the proposal has merit, but like Kenney, he's awaiting specifics.
He said if the children of illegal aliens have attended and graduated from the state's public school system, lawmakers must ask the question: "Are these individuals better off getting a degree and becoming a productive member of society?"
Kenney and Matayo also said their views might be affected by whether the benefits go to those working toward becoming a U.S. citizen.
Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, said she has been working independently of Huckabee for the past year developing a bill to provide the benefits the governor has outlined.
Like Huckabee, Elliott said the issue is much about economic development because the state benefits as its residents attain higher levels of education.
"We have a choice, we can have these students in our state as low wage earners, or we can provide them with the opportunity to become high wage earners by getting their college degree if they qualify to go to college," said Elliott, chairwoman of the House Education Committee. "They're not going away from the state; they're going to be here. I'd just as soon have them here as educated citizens."
Huckabee said those who oppose the idea should take note of the fact that the state is already educating the undocumented children in grades K-12.
"Their argument is that if they're undocumented we shouldn't provide an education," he said. "My argument is, if we're already providing the education K-12 and we're paying all the freight for that, why do they suddenly become persona non grata the day they walk across and get a high school diploma."
Bisbee said the state has no choice in whether it provides education to undocumented children in the primary and secondary grades.
"We've got a constitution in Arkansas that says if the kid shows up at your door, you've got to educate them," Bisbee said. "That's a different situation."
R. Shawn McGrew of Rogers, director of the Arkansas Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, was surprised and pleased by Huckabee's proposal.
He said that Hispanic dropout rates are high and the college-going rate is low, so removing the existing barriers to financial aid would be significant.
House Speaker Bill Stovall, D-Quitman, said he's taken no position on the issue but has visited with Elliott about it.
"I think it's going to create a lot of significant debate, but I'm anxious to see the proposal," he said.
Elliott says she's ready for the debate.
"I know I'm going to take a lot of heat for it, I know I am," Elliott said. "But that's fine. I'd rather take the heat for it than know I did nothing when these kids should have had a chance."
Sullivan Asks Data On Immigration Arrests
Thursday January 06, 2005 8:34am
Oklahoma City (AP) - Representative John Sullivan is asking officials for statistics on the number of illegal immigrants detained in Oklahoma.
Sullivan is trying to get a federal immigration enforcement office in Tulsa.
In a letter to assistant secretary of U-S Immigration and Customs Enforcement Michael J-Garcia Sullivan wants to compare Oklahoma's needs and resources to other states.
Sullivan says Oklahoma only 12 immigration agents in a state that has 3-point-5 (m) million people.
Sullivan pointed to a case in Catoosa in which federal immigration officials authorized the release of 18 undocumented immigrants.
Sullivan says he also wants to know how many similar releases were made without judicial review.
| Paid for by I.R.O.N. |
Updated
22-Mar-2006
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