DREAM Activists Drop Pro-Immigrant Banners Along OC Freeway Overpasses

Bobby Fernandez

The true sadness is that these kinds of activists further strain race relations. I've never experienced anywhere close to the prejudice and bigotry I've heard about from my elders but I have seen hints of it bubble to the surface anytime my fellow Americans of Mexican extraction seek to justify illegal immigration without any rational argument (I haven't heard one yet). I have no desire to judge what's in the heart of the white man. All I know is that I currently enjoy a level of acceptance and equality in my community through the reputaion my parents and grandparents earned through their love of hard work and non-vicimhood mentality. People like the DREAM activists think they are doing good but they are really just unraveling all that our ancestors have accomplished.

Chlamx208

Once again, don't you mean they should have dropped, Illegal Alien, Criminal Illegal Non Immigrant Banners? It's the truth that sets you free, not lies and deception.

Dave

The only question I have is, did they have permits to place these banners? Of course not. Once a criminal, always a criminal. What's next?

Let's keep in mind that just becuase there isn't a pathway for these people to become citizens means there should be one.

Chlamx208

Permits??? What do you mean Permits? What is a Permit? They didn't need one in Mexico.. You just Bribe someone! Also, there is a path Dave. They haul their Illegal butt back home, fill out the proper papers, and wait their turn! Oh wait! Were confusing them again with that Permit thing!

dave

how would you know?

Bobby Fernandez

I wish I knew the sound logic behind standing for illegal-immigration. I'd hate to think all we've got are arguments of, "we were here first" and "it's not right to break up families" (both non sequiturs).

Big Riggs

It's a shame ICE agents weren't driving by when this happened.

Chlamx208

They probably were Big! I'm guessing Obummer said look the other way!

Christopher Neal

Since when is higher education a "right"???

Methinks they got their facts wrong...

elserracho

Cool.

20ftJesus

I was looking over Mexican nationality laws and they are quite reasonable. I wonder what the DREAM activists would say if the USA adopted the exact same rules and regulations?

Chlamx208

20 ft Jesus, So making our Laws regarding Illegal Entry or Exit from the U.S. Felonies with a minimum penalty of two years in Prison works for you? I'm in! Don't even get me started on what it takes for a Foreigner to own Property or start a Business. We can't work there without a Permit. So yea let's change a few Laws. Somehow I'm guessing the Illegals would be pissed!

gustavoarellano

...and that's why Mexico is Mexico, and the U.S. is the U.S...covered that in the columna years ago!

mitch young

Found the column, and of course it is mostly wrong. Here are the points and the truth

1) Mexico thrived when it allowed large-scale immigration

Well, maybe, but that immigration was mostly from Europe; Diaz and los scientificos specifically wanted to Europeanize Mexico, and immigration laws favored Europe. Precisely the opposite of our immigration laws, which practically cut off European immigration (and plenty of East Euros would like to come here)

2) Mexico suffered in comparison with the US when immigration was cut off after the revolution.

That was 1917, the US cut of immigration in 1922 and even harder in 1924, until about 1968. You might have noticed that we prospered in that time -- baby boom, rock n roll, man on the moon, growth of a large working class. The country that Arellano's father immigrated to 40 years ago had the lowest foreign born proportion of its population in its history.

And you know what, Mexico flourished with restricted immigration too. In the 1950s and early 1960s it was actually beginning to look like a semi-first world country. It was cool to be Mexican -- and not in a Pocho, Chicano-power way. Esquivel, Ricardo Montalban, etc. Don't ask me what happened.

3) The Founding Fathers wanted immigration

Only Hamilton was a big immigration guy, and then, of course, just from Europe. Washington, Franklin, Adams, all had their doubts even about European immigration, and of course naturalization was limited to 'free white persons'. And they would have thought this 'nation of immigrants' stuff to be nonsense. Here is Federalist 2:

"With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice that Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people -- a people *** descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs***, and who, by their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence. Okay, the founding fathers were nasty slaveholders, but how about the Civil War generation? Well, they were the ones that passed the Chinese Exclusion act. And many of the real 'progressives' were also restrictionists, helping to push through the 1924 immigration restriction act.