http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKkrdIqjSaw&feature=player_embedded

"Mario Ramos had heard stories. But last month, he finally saw for himself.

“It really looked like there were 1,000 people in that ICE line,” said Ramos, a Nashville immigration lawyer. “And those are just the people in Nashville who are on the wait list for an immigration court
date to be set.”

The immigration court has such a heavy caseload that hundreds of people recommended for deportation haven’t even been given a court date yet. They line up monthly at local immigration offices, where suspected illegal immigrants are asked to check in until a court date can be set.

After three years of stepped-up immigration enforcement, the overloaded court system isn’t keeping pace — and observers say almost nowhere in the country is the problem worse than in
Tennessee.

The Memphis-based immigration court — which handles most immigration matters in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and the northern half of
Mississippi — has one of the nation’s highest caseloads per judge. In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, Memphis had only two judges to handle about 3,500 pending cases.

About four weeks ago, the situation in Memphis went from busy to something worse. One of the judges was reassigned to Arlington, Va. Now, while there is a judge in one Memphis courtroom, cases
assigned to the other are heard by a constantly rotating cast of judges around the country via video conference.

Less than two full months into 2010, just about any hearing requested is scheduled in 2011.

Family waits and hopes

Jose Resendiz is an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a story that highlights the problems in Tennessee and the need for real immigration reform, said his wife, Christy Resendiz.

He has lived in a state of limbo since his arrest in 2008.

Christy, a U.S. citizen, and Jose, a Mexican national, live with their two children in Greenback, Tenn., about 45 minutes from Knoxville. The couple married in July 2003 and started trying to adjust Jose’s legal status almost right away, Christy said. They expected it to be straightforward, since Jose had married an American citizen, but an ill-timed trip back to Mexico derailed the process...".

at; http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100224/NEWS03/100223128/2066

Gonzalez' letter blew the whistle on the alleged cover-up of ICE agents' complicity in multiple murders in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juárez. The homicides were tied to an investigation into Heriberto Santillan-Tabares, who U.S. prosecutors claim is a top lieutenant in Vicente Carrillo Fuentes' Juárez drug organization.

Santillan has been charged with cocaine and marijuana smuggling along with five counts of murder—a crime that can get him a death sentence in the U.S. justice system. His case is currently pending in federal district court in San Antonio, Texas, and is slated for trial in May.

A confidential informant, who allegedly had attained high standing within the Juárez organization, played a critical role in snaring Santillan. The informant's name is Jesus Contreras, who is also known by the nickname "Lalo."

Between August 2003 and mid-January 2004, a dozen people were tortured, murdered and then buried in the yard of a house in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juárez. Contreras, according to sources, participated in many of those murders."...

at http://onlinejournal.org/Special_Reports/040105Conroy/040105conroy.html

In a time of need why close our borders? Real Change is needed to help America remain the bright city upon the hill.

At the Tea Party Nation (TPN) website; www.teaparty.com the TPN are "a group of like-minded people who desire our God given Individual Freedoms which were written out by the Founding Fathers. We believe in Limited Government, Free Speech, the 2nd Amendment out Military, Secure Border and our County!".

So let compare and contrast;

Well, Hispanics in the US are a like minded group united by food, languages, music, culture etc.

God; most Hispanics believe in god and are catholic; isn’t this the same?

Limited Government; Hispanics have been seeking a reduction in immigration enforcement/incarceration/deportation for decades. Hispanics want to get immigration off the back of immigrants. There are hundreds of thousands of Hispanics in jail in the U.S under immigration charges. Undocumented Hispanics receive NO benefits from the Federal/State government. The restrictions on government benefits extend to legal spouses of undocumented. In a way Hispanics are living a life of limited government that TPN cannot dream of in their wildest limited government dreams.

Free Speech; yes, except for hate speech directed towards advocates of immigration reform and minorities.

The 2nd Amendment; the right to bear arms; Here I will digress into my personal story. My father was from Colombia, South America and was an avid gun enthusiast. My childhood consisted of visiting every gun club in the South of the US. So my opinion is distorted on this issue as I believe in the right to bear arms but do not believe most people should carry a gun. It is extremely difficult to shoot a gun well. If you have not shoot a gun over 25,000 times do not call me about my opinion; keep on practicing.

Our military; around 10% of the military is Hispanic, next; see http://www.prb.org/Articles/2007/HispanicsUSMilitary.aspx

Secure Borders; Hispanics strongly support comprehensive immigration reform which will free up resources which are misdirected towards deporting tax paying undocumented workers. The current situation is like the prohibition of alcohol which was a failure and lead to widespread organized crime; it is interesting how history repeats itself; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition

Our Country; As part of the largest minority in the US I am amazed at the civility of Hispanics during the current state of enforcement which is as sever as apartheid ever was in South Africa as per the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Bernard Woldsdorf, who is originally from South Africa.

A new report released today by the Urban Institute, titled "Facing Our Future: Children in the Aftermath of Immigration Enforcement," examines the consequences of parental arrest, detention, and deportation on 190 children in 85 families in six locations, providing in-depth details on parent-child separations, economic hardships, and children's well-being. The report also provides recommendations for stakeholders to mitigate the harmful effects of immigration enforcement on children.

For more information, read the full report at the Urban Institute website; http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/412020_FacingOurFuture_final.pdf

Go to;

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/immigration-reform-is-nec_b_445688.html

http://immigration.about.com/b/2010/01/22/immigration-quote-of-the-week-sarah-palin.htm

- Former Alaska Governor, 2008 Republican vice president nominee and Fox News contributor, Sarah Palin, on "The Glenn Beck Program." Palin has said she supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, which has caused problems with conservatives who strongly oppose amnesty of any kind.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/08-911.pdf

"The Senate health care bill's treatment of illegals is cruel -- and counterproductive.

By Mark Willen, Senior Political Editor, The Kiplinger Letter, December 22, 2009

The House version of the health care bill bars illegal immigrants from receiving any form of government subsidy to help them buy insurance in the exchanges that will be set up to foster competition and reduce the rolls of the uninsured. While the provision is likely to increase costs for the government, employers and individuals because of cost shifting, it is understandable that many Americans would reject the idea of rewarding illegals by providing subsidized insurance.

But the Senate bill goes a dangerous step further, and its immigration provision is much harder to justify. It would prevent illegal immigrants from buying insurance on the state-run exchanges, even if they do so with their own money. This is cruel, stupid and probably unworkable. It is akin to barring illegals from buying food in grocery stores or restaurants and making them get free food in soup kitchens, which are subsidized by private donors and government aid...".

http://kiplinger.com/columns/washington/archives/sticking-it-to-illegal-immigrants-just-to-make-a.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington D.C.) On Tuesday, December 15, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) will introduce new legislation, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), to the U.S. House of Representatives. Gutierrez will be joined by members of many different faiths and backgrounds, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus and Progressive Caucus.

Who:
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-12), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-11), Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus

Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), Chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

Rep. Joe Baca (CA-43)

Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32)

Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-7)

Rep. Sam Farr (CA-17)

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20)

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15)

Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-38)

Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27)

Rep. Pedro R. Pierluisi (PR-At large)

Rep. Jared Polis (CO-2)

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)

Rep. Jose E. Serrano (NY-16)

Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY-9)

Other Members of Congress

What:
Introduction of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation

When:
12:30 pm, Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Where:
Room 2261, Rayburn House Office Building

"We have waited patiently for a workable solution to our immigration crisis to be taken up by this Congress and our President," said Rep. Gutierrez. "The time for waiting is over. This bill will be presented before Congress recesses for the holidays so that there is no excuse for inaction in the New Year. It is the product of months of collaboration with civil rights advocates, labor organizations, and members of Congress. It is an answer to too many years of pain —mothers separated from their children, workers exploited and undermined security at the border— all caused at the hands of a broken immigration system. This bill says 'enough,' and presents a solution to our broken system that we as a nation of immigrants can be proud of."

Press should confirm their attendance with Rebecca Dreilinger at 202-225-8203 or via email at Rebecca.Dreilinger@mail.house.gov.

at http://luisgutierrez.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1406

This is the bill that we will fight to enact in 2010. This will be where we have to stand together and have the will to succeed.

We have to help the politicians and the White House to focus on reform in 2010.

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor December 3, 2009 11:00 AM

"Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs became a hero in some quarters -- and reviled in others -- for his outspokenness on illegal immigration.

But now a leading group on the issue is withdrawing its support -- including taking down websites urging Dobbs to run for president in 2012 -- because it says he has changed his tune.

Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, which claims to be the first calling on him to run for president, today cited recent comments that Dobbs has made on a Spanish-language network.

"While Mr. Dobbs claims his positions have not changed, however, that is not the perception of many of our mutual supporters," William Gheen of ALIPAC said in a statement. "His recent comments on Telemundo and his national radio show supporting some kind of path to citizenship for illegal immigrants is inconsistent with positions of ALIPAC and the views of most American citizens."...".

see more at http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/12/hardline_immigr.html

"On the heels of leaving CNN, Lou Dobbs sat down with Telemundo’s María Celeste for this interview. Celeste confronts Dobbs for the many past inflammatory remarks he made against immigrants—in particular, the insinuation that Hispanic immigrants are responsible for bringing leprosy into the United States. Watch as Dobbs backpedals and softens his harsh anti-illegal immigrant tone".

By Tim Ghianni

"“Even when I can see the negative effects of initiatives such as that, I can see how these galvanize our community and gave us a sense of identity and a sense of purpose,” said Yuri Cunza, president of the Nashville-area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

He said the measure’s defeat encourages Latinos “to fight for what is right and to take the leading role” by participating at the polls and stepping forward as candidates to help direct “the future of our government.”

Bold talk to be sure, but for the most part, Latinos here have been stuck in the “ponder” phase.

Fabian Bedne, 49, is something of a pioneer in that he already made a failed run for a Metro Council District 31 seat a couple of years ago. He said he wasn’t running as a Latino, though, but as a Nashvillian with Argentine roots. And Bedne believes Nashville’s changing face, thanks to its growth, is encouraging to people like himself who are seeking office.

He said he drew the courage to run from his participation in community meetings that examined development and zoning proposals for his once-rural neighborhood stretching
almost to Nolensville.

“I was just going to meetings and saying what I thought,” Bedne said. And before he knew it, he was one of the first Latinos to seek elected office in Nashville.

Asking members of the Hispanic community to say what they think may be a tall order.

While Bedne’s campaign was about neighborhood issues, it occurred at about the same time Metro was coming to grips with the English-only proposal that basically removed Spanish from Metro communications, and the 287(g) program, which delegates immigration authority to local law enforcement, was in its incubation stage.

The two issues may have galvanized a community, but opponents of both agree it also elevated a sense of fear and distrust among Hispanics.

While targeting illegal immigrants, the 287(g) program, which operates in about 100 communities nationwide, confuses even legal immigrants about the reach of law enforcement and its ability to disrupt the unity of families by potentially deporting husbands, wives and children after something as insignificant as a traffic violation.

Cunza says elected Latino representation would be important in helping monitor such increased interest by local government in immigration enforcement. But would that representation allay fears as well?

Bedne said what Latinos in Nashville are going through is a process that all immigrants — reaching back to those who came through Ellis Island — had to endure to become part of America and its culture.

“Those were the people who came with pride and hope and little else to start building the country from scratch. Why is it we have to look down on current-era newcomers?” he said. “It’s not ‘I want to crash into your party.’ You need us to better understand the dynamics of our emerging community without resulting collateral damage. We moved here because we believed we were moving into a better system.”

Future leadership

Perhaps Bedne’s run at least cracked open the door for elected Latino representation. A first step will be for him or another Hispanic to represent one of Metro’s 35 Council districts, to “bring a point of view to the Council,” he said.

Or perhaps a Hispanic will run for one of the five at-large seats, to actively represent the entire county.

“It would be totally senseless” even to bring up the idea of a Latino running for mayor right now other than as a “publicity stunt,” Cunza said. But “since there are so many Council members, there is at least a chance to succeed” in getting a Latino elected to that body. Perhaps an at-large role will be a good thing in a few years.”

Bedne said the size of Metro Council, which some view as cumbersome at 40 seats, does encourage diversity in representation. Cities with smaller governing bodies are run by more exclusive “clubs” of people who are able to spend huge amounts to win a seat. When he made his run for District 31, Bedne relied on shoe leather and handshakes, not a bank account.

A Latino at-large Council member would receive citywide exposure and perhaps prepare Nashvillians for a bigger prize like the mayor’s office. Bedne said the name most bandied about as a potential Hispanic candidate for mayor is American-born immigration attorney Mario Ramos.

Ramos admitted to being “flattered” to hear his name mentioned, but he said “it feels way too far out there.”

While Ramos is heralded by many in the community as perhaps the next, best hope for Latino representation, he won’t be shifting into a political posture right now because his main objective is perhaps the most important to the Hispanic community at large.

“My focus now is on immigration reform,” said Ramos, who won the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s top honor for promoting immigration reform.

It’s hard-earned acclaim and it gives him even more clout in the national debate. Next year, Ramos said, the nation’s focus will be on immigration reform, which is where he hopes he can make his contribution.

But the 2011 election is neither a target nor an impossibility for Ramos. He admitted it could be time to turn his focus to more local politics, but any such run “is not even a consideration” at this point.

Ramos said, though, that Bedne’s achievement (getting about half as many votes as incumbent Parker Toler in 2007) was heartening to any Latino candidate. “I think that’s certainly enough to encourage everyone that they can be competitive. Whoever does choose to run, maybe they will win,” he said.

“Even when I can see the negative effects of initiatives such as that, I can see how these galvanize our community and gave us a sense of identity and a sense of purpose,” said Yuri Cunza, president of the Nashville-area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

He said the measure’s defeat encourages Latinos “to fight for what is right and to take the leading role” by participating at the polls and stepping forward as candidates to help direct “the future of our government.”

Bold talk to be sure, but for the most part, Latinos here have been stuck in the “ponder” phase.

Fabian Bedne, 49, is something of a pioneer in that he already made a failed run for a Metro Council District 31 seat a couple of years ago. He said he wasn’t running as a Latino, though, but as a Nashvillian with Argentine roots. And Bedne believes Nashville’s changing face, thanks to its growth, is encouraging to people like himself who are seeking office.

He said he drew the courage to run from his participation in community meetings that examined development and zoning proposals for his once-rural neighborhood stretching
almost to Nolensville.

“I was just going to meetings and saying what I thought,” Bedne said. And before he knew it, he was one of the first Latinos to seek elected office in Nashville.

Asking members of the Hispanic community to say what they think may be a tall order.

While Bedne’s campaign was about neighborhood issues, it occurred at about the same time Metro was coming to grips with the English-only proposal that basically removed Spanish from Metro communications, and the 287(g) program, which delegates immigration authority to local law enforcement, was in its incubation stage.

The two issues may have galvanized a community, but opponents of both agree it also elevated a sense of fear and distrust among Hispanics.

While targeting illegal immigrants, the 287(g) program, which operates in about 100 communities nationwide, confuses even legal immigrants about the reach of law enforcement and its ability to disrupt the unity of families by potentially deporting husbands, wives and children after something as insignificant as a traffic violation.

Cunza says elected Latino representation would be important in helping monitor such increased interest by local government in immigration enforcement. But would that representation allay fears as well?

Bedne said what Latinos in Nashville are going through is a process that all immigrants — reaching back to those who came through Ellis Island — had to endure to become part of America and its culture.

“Those were the people who came with pride and hope and little else to start building the country from scratch. Why is it we have to look down on current-era newcomers?” he said. “It’s not ‘I want to crash into your party.’ You need us to better understand the dynamics of our emerging community without resulting collateral damage. We moved here because we believed we were moving into a better system.”

Future leadership

Perhaps Bedne’s run at least cracked open the door for elected Latino representation. A first step will be for him or another Hispanic to represent one of Metro’s 35 Council districts, to “bring a point of view to the Council,” he said.

Or perhaps a Hispanic will run for one of the five at-large seats, to actively represent the entire county.

“It would be totally senseless” even to bring up the idea of a Latino running for mayor right now other than as a “publicity stunt,” Cunza said. But “since there are so many Council members, there is at least a chance to succeed” in getting a Latino elected to that body. Perhaps an at-large role will be a good thing in a few years.”

Bedne said the size of Metro Council, which some view as cumbersome at 40 seats, does encourage diversity in representation. Cities with smaller governing bodies are run by more exclusive “clubs” of people who are able to spend huge amounts to win a seat. When he made his run for District 31, Bedne relied on shoe leather and handshakes, not a bank account.

A Latino at-large Council member would receive citywide exposure and perhaps prepare Nashvillians for a bigger prize like the mayor’s office. Bedne said the name most bandied about as a potential Hispanic candidate for mayor is American-born immigration attorney Mario Ramos.

Ramos admitted to being “flattered” to hear his name mentioned, but he said “it feels way too far out there.”

While Ramos is heralded by many in the community as perhaps the next, best hope for Latino representation, he won’t be shifting into a political posture right now because his main objective is perhaps the most important to the Hispanic community at large.

“My focus now is on immigration reform,” said Ramos, who won the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s top honor for promoting immigration reform.

It’s hard-earned acclaim and it gives him even more clout in the national debate. Next year, Ramos said, the nation’s focus will be on immigration reform, which is where he hopes he can make his contribution.

But the 2011 election is neither a target nor an impossibility for Ramos. He admitted it could be time to turn his focus to more local politics, but any such run “is not even a consideration” at this point.

Ramos said, though, that Bedne’s achievement (getting about half as many votes as incumbent Parker Toler in 2007) was heartening to any Latino candidate. “I think that’s certainly enough to encourage everyone that they can be competitive. Whoever does choose to run, maybe they will win,” he said....".

for the rest of the article go to;

http://www.mario-ramos.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=1