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Last December, the U.S. House of Representatives
passed the Border Security, Anti Terrorism and Illegal Immigration
Control Act (HR 4437), which would brand an estimated 12 million
illegal immigrants as felons. Several Eastfield students actively
joined the protest and even spray-painted signs in the lower
courtyard opposing the HR 4437, stating, "Immigrants are
not criminals."
"Immigrants convicted of this crime
could be punished by imprisonment for a years and a day and/or
fine," according to a press release of the National Immigration
Law Center.
With today's law, immigrants living in
the U.S. illegally are charged with a civil violation. Wisconsin
Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. proposed the bill.
"Illegal aliens should not be granted
amnesty and a path to citizenship," Sensenbrenner said.
"This would be a slap in the face to all those who have
followed the law and have come to America legally."
Adalberto Sachez, former Student Government President, believes
that the bill is a disgrace to everyone and that it would "overhaul
the criminal justice system."
Throughout the nation, thousands of protesters
voiced their oppositions to the bill HR 4437. Ultimately reaching
the classrooms in the Dallas area, students organized the protests
through myspace.com. The bulletins, comments and even messages
within the popular website were a mode of informing the youth
in the area of the issue.
About 4,000 Dallas and surrounding areas
students marched out of their classrooms to protest.
Before they headed out to join the thousands
of protesters, the group went around the pit raising their signs,
according to freshman Cynthia Rodriguez. The group headed to
the intersection of Shiloh and Northwest highway and protested
there for about an hour, according to freshman Yesinia Herrera.
"There are so many immigrants living in the United States
that need an opportunity," said Ana Macias nursing major.
Sanchez protested during the weekend at
City Hall. He believes that the high school students, who marched
out of the classrooms on March 27, truly had good intentions
and were informed about the issue.
"It upsets me that the hard work the
students from Monday set out was diminished by the other protesters
who acted like fools," said Sanchez. "But I really
feel proud of the students who acted respectfully and knew what
they were protesting."
Reva Rattan, Dean of Student Support Services,
said that even though the college does not have any control over
the student's participation in protests, it does not encourage
students walking out of class.
As a result of such movement, the Communications
clubs is planning to host a seminar concerning immigration laws
being proposed.
"Our purpose is to inform people of
what the issues are and how this affects us as a community,"
said club President Angelica Morales.
"No one in America is [truly] American,
with the exception of Native Americans," said Freshman Stephanie
Njoku. "You can't call [immigrants] felons when their own
parents have been immigrants."
Not everyone feels as sympathetic to the protesters. "Illegals
are criminals, I understand that immigrants want their voice
to be heard but I don't think a protest is the way to go about
it," said journalism major John Loyd. "It is just creating
more chaos."
President George W. Bush has a different
vision concerning immigration policy. He proposed a three-element
reform to Congress.
First, to secure the southern border.
Second, to strengthen the enforcements
of U.S. laws in the interior of the country.
Third, the President would like to create
a "Temporary Worker Program," which would create a
"legal channel for those entering America to do an honest
day's work," according to a White House Press Release.
"Our immigrant heritage has enriched
American history," President Bush said, according to the
U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services. "Each generation
of immigrants brings a renewal to our national character and
adds vitality to our culture."
After the Senate Judiciary Committee met on March 27 and finalized
a bill to be reviewed by the entire Senate, it did not pass the
portion of legislature making illegal immigrants felons.
"A coalition of Democrats and Republicans
joined together to craft a forward thinking, realistic, and workable
compromise," according to the National Immigration Forum.
One major propositions being debated by
the Senate for the next several weeks, which was proposed by
Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts,
creates a mode for undocumented immigrates to earn temporal permission
to work in the United States, if eligible. Ultimately having
the option of permanent residency, according to NIF.
"This is a victory for sensible immigration
reform and border security, but there is still so much more work
to be done."
Word has began to go around about a major
protest starting on April 9, where participants will meet at
the Dallas Cathedral at 12 p.m. to march to City Hall, according
to Sanchez.
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