Sam's Remarks at Immigration Rally
David Gonzalez
On Monday, April 10, Sam joined about a thousand people in downtown Portland and hundreds of thousands of people across the country in a call to action for Congress: Pass Sensible Immigration Reform Now!
Here are some excerpts from his comments.
"I am the grandson of Irish immigrants. I am here today to urge congress to pass an immigration bill that is just, fair and compassionate. I believe that the legislation that the House, has passed (HR4437) is extreme. I support moving in the direction of the Senate - a direction that lays out a clear path to citizenship. Your presence here sends an important message of the positive contributions that immigrants make to our City, State and Nation. Si Se Puede"!
Posted by David Gonzalez on April 10, 2006
(23) Comments | Permalink | TrackBack (0)
Filed Under Downtown Portland, Front Page
Comments by site visitors
Mr Adams - I believe your grandparents came here legally. I really don't understand why make more laws if we don't enforce the ones we have now.
Allowing illegal immigrants only depresses the wages of low-end workers (remember the ones you worked with) even more and benefits their rich employers. I am not mentioning the union sheetrockers, painters and service workers that are hurt.
I know this is very romantic to be the big revolutionary and friend of the worker, but think first about how you are hurting people who worked hard to get here legally and earn a living and pay taxes and your salary, unlike most illegal immigrants.
Posted by: Steve | Apr 10, 2006 8:16:40 PM
Thanks Sam, but honestly this seems more like a post for political gains.
Posted by: NNW | Apr 11, 2006 12:10:25 AM
NNW: Diversity is a value that this office holds near and dear. Several of our staff members have immigrated to the US and several more have very close family that chose this country for the enormous opportunities available here. None of this is about politics, or revolutionary romanticism- it's about respect, fairness and dignity. Sam is simply asking for new immigrants to be treated in a similar way as his grandparents were when coming here.
Posted by: David Gonzalez | Apr 11, 2006 9:14:17 AM
"...Sam is simply asking for new immigrants to be treated in a similar way as his grandparents were when coming here."
And they will when they come here legally. Are you defending the practice of illegal immigration? Which is a felony? Why do legal residents have to follow all the laws, but illegal immigrants get a pass?
It's amazing to see Democrats supporting illegal immigration just because they think they'll vote Demo in the future-- while paying no attention to the fact immigrants are law-breakers.
Disgusting.
Posted by: chris McMullen | Apr 11, 2006 12:41:41 PM
"immigrants are law-breakers"
I think Chris speaks well for the Republican party.
What's truly disgusting. WalMart, major hotels, massive farmers, in fact, any company that illegally employs illegal immigrants is what is really disgusting.
Given what these immigrants left behind, I don't blame them for trying to end up in the land of oppotunity. If I were unlucky enough to be born outside of the US, I would probably be trying to do the same.
People coming to America to get a better life is far from disgusting, it is what our country was founded on. Businesses hiring illegal workers, paying them sub standard wages, providing them third world working conditions, even allowing some of them to sleep in the back warehouse space with no or little penalities handed down by the feds...that is what is disgusting.
No work=no illegal immigrants
All you need to do is pull into the closest big box parking lot, look squarely at the store, and say "disgusting lawbreakers!"
Aim the frustration at the enablers not the people that dream of a better life.
Posted by: MarkDaMan | Apr 11, 2006 1:37:45 PM
MarkDa 'blinded-by-socialist-dogma' Man blathered:
"...any company that illegally employs illegal immigrants is what is really disgusting."
Yep. And they should be prosecuted for knowingly hiring illegals, if that's truly the case. Unfortunately, many illegals provide phony and/or stolen SS numbers that are hard to track. Of course, that's another felony against illegals: ID theft.
But what's really, really disgusting is how these illegals come into the land of opportunity from a corrupt, oppressive country and have the audacity to fly their homeland's flag. Of course, once the public frowned on that practice, demonstrators were supplied American flags (which is just a tad disingenuous).
I also want to know how they can possibly expect rights when they're not Americans and most don't want to be Americans.
No Mark, I'll aim my frustration at those who truly deserve it -- illegal aliens.
Posted by: Chris McMullen | Apr 11, 2006 3:09:41 PM
^Don't allow companies to scapegoat their responsibilites that easily. When illegal immigrants are sleeping behind WalMarts, with the company's knowledge, when farmworkers get paid by their employer $10 for a day of back breaking labor, when 5 star resorts are working their illegal employees 12 hours a day below minimum wage, they know who and what they are employing.
I was taught to treat people better than that. Inaliable human rights are for all people, not just Americans.
Posted by: MarkDaMan | Apr 11, 2006 3:51:30 PM
"I also want to know how they can possibly expect rights when they're not Americans and most don't want to be Americans."
Never mind immigration - do you realize how horrible what you wrote sounds like? So since they're not American they have no rights, is that how it works?
"But what's really, really disgusting is how these illegals come into the land of opportunity from a corrupt, oppressive country and have the audacity to fly their homeland's flag."
So since they're illegal, they don't have the right to free speech? What else will you limit, their right to prosperity and happiness? Oh wait, we already limit that through our socio-economic stranglehold on them. Republicans 1, illegals 0.
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 11, 2006 3:51:43 PM
Illegal ALIENS are already enjoying free schooling, aid and healthcare. They're not suffering or having their 'rights' taken away. And just what socio-economic stranglehold do we have on them, Stephen?
Joshua, anyone who comes into this country illegally is an Illegal Alien. Your "who was here" first argument is completely immaterial.
Posted by: Chris McMullen | Apr 11, 2006 4:08:00 PM
"They're not suffering"
"immigrants are law-breakers"
"that's another felony against illegals: ID theft"
"I also want to know how they can possibly expect rights"
"I'll aim my frustration at those who truly deserve it -- illegal aliens"
sounds like Chris needs Christ.
Posted by: MarkDaMan | Apr 11, 2006 4:14:03 PM
Chris, just look at the way you talk about immigrants to maybe catch a glimpse into what I mean by socio-economic stranglehold. In lieu of quoting your gems of conservative rhetoric, I'll just point you to Mark's last post. Seriously, look at how you're talking about them! Your words embody an attitude toward illegals that is inhumane. I'm not saying open the floodgates, let them all come in; I agree that immigration needs to be addressed somehow. I presume there are good reasons for the limits on how many people we let move here each year. But nevermind that for a second - you're talking about illegal immigrants like they're unworthy trash, like they're beneath you, and that's why I'm dignifying your posts with responses, because you simply cannot talk about people like that. The odds are already so stacked against them, the last thing they need is people kicking them while they're down. They're already in the country, so stop treating them like they're dirt, and maybe we'll all be better off for it.
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 11, 2006 6:05:41 PM
I have the right, as a US citizen, to voice my opinion in any way I see fit. Get over it.
Illegal immigrants have no right to free health care, aid and citizenship. Period. I don't advocate anything other than punishing those who break the law. Illegal aliens are breaking the law. Sometimes continuously. There's nothing stopping them from entering the US through proper legal channels.
Aliens have come here voluntarily. It's their choice to suffer the hardships of committing a crime. They should have no expectation other than being treated as criminals.
Call me conservative if you want, but I believe in personal responsibility and accountability. You make bad choices, you suffer the consequences.
Posted by: Chris McMullen | Apr 11, 2006 7:39:54 PM
Commissioner Adams,
Thank you for supporting fairness and equality for all Portlanders, regardless of immigration status.
Posted by: Stephanie D. Stephens | Apr 12, 2006 8:31:47 AM
Chris McMullen-
Yeah, you have the right to say whatever you want. Obviously - you are exercising your right to free speach now. But having that right does not mean that the content of your speach is the right or best thing to say, or that it is correct, or that it is at all justified.
Just like someone may have the right to an abortion, or to pollute their land, or call you a stupid idiot, it doesn't mean that having an abortion, polluting their land, or calling you one is the most productive thing to do.
That is a bogus argument - no one is saying you can't say what you want, they are just pointing out (quite effectively) that your arguments don't hold water. So you can keep posting all those things - it is your right to be wrong - but they are just suggesting that you make the decision to post better content.
Posted by: Chris Taylor | Apr 12, 2006 9:00:33 AM
Chris Taylor blurted: "...they are just pointing out (quite effectively) that your arguments don't hold water."
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! That's funny. Just where has anyone posed a logical rebuttal to my comments? Show me, Chris.
Other than weepy, sanctimonious sentiment, nothing has been posted that rationally justifies turning a blind-eye to rampant illegal immigration.
Posted by: chris McMullen | Apr 12, 2006 10:45:43 AM
Chris McMullen writes: "Other than weepy, sanctimonious sentiment, nothing has been posted that rationally justifies turning a blind-eye to rampant illegal immigration."
I know that I, for one, have not for one second even attempted to post a rational justification to turning a blind eye to illegal immigration. Has anyone done that, Chris? In fact, I have stated that: "I'm not saying open the floodgates, let them all come in; I agree that immigration needs to be addressed somehow. I presume there are good reasons for the limits on how many people we let move here each year."
I am simply stating that, since illegal immigration DOES need to be addressed, I think the first thing that needs to be remembered is that illegal immigrants are human too, and thus should be treated humanely, both in action and speech. Do we deport them? Maybe, because you're right, they are breaking our immigration laws and as such may need to suffer a consequence. Do we build a big fence between us and Mexico? I don't know; I honestly do not have a solution, and even if I did I'm certainly in no position to implement one.
I, like you, think that something should be done about the current situation. But when you state that "They should have no expectation other than being treated as criminals," I can't imagine how anyone could be so devoid of sympathy or compassion. I guess I'd rather be "sanctimonious" than callous.
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 12, 2006 1:19:18 PM
Chris, the immigration discussion isn't one that will be settled in a manner of weeks. It didn't take the US a day to attract 11 to 20 million illegal immigrants and it should take more than one week for congress to debate how to best handle the situation. Economic studies haven't been completed. What happens when you take 10 to 20 million workers out of the system? What happens if lack of workers means the fields can't be harvested in proper time? Without current illegal workers, what is going to happen to prices on American goods and produce? These are just a few questions that need to be answered before we can best decide how to proceed with the current situation in order to be fair to those that are already here, fair to those that want to enter into our country, and the fair to the citizens of this nation.
This is one of few situations where there doesn't have to be any losers.
Here's my take though; immigration needs to be delt with, but the borders and ports need to be secured first. After almost 5 years since 9/11 anyone can still walk into this country. It takes one terrorist with one dirty bomb to destroy our way of life.
Our president wants to score an immigration victory and has politically tied the border in with immigration. Borders should be tied in with the ports. In a post 9/11 world, we don't have the luxury of debating for months how to best deal with immigration when the political will and votes are there to pass an American Point of Entry Security Bill.
Through technological advancements we can build a virtual fence on both borders, and physical fences near hot spots. This would allow us to track and intercept every single person trying to sneak into this country. How many illegal immigrants immigrated to America in the last few weeks? More so than just stopping terrorists, we are compounding our own problems by not cutting off the flow of illegal foreign workers while we decide what is best to do.
This president of ours likes to claim there hasn't been an attack since 9/11 on American soil. But the real question is, can he look us in the face and say he has done everything in his power to make sure we don't get hit again? Can he tell us that there isn't a terrorist cell operating in America today?
Tying a politically divisive issue, immigration, into securing our port and borders after this many years shows me this president doesn't display a post 9/11 mindset.
Posted by: MarkDaMan | Apr 12, 2006 1:24:21 PM
In all this talk, no one has yet to address the central issue of local overpopulation and how both legal and illegal immigration have been the chief drivers of it.
Even worse, no one has addressed the issue of an economic system that is dependent on economic growth, which is dependent on continual population and consumption growth, and is therefore completely destructive to people and the environment. For in this limited region on a limited planet, a region that is already overpopulated and overconsuming, more population and more consumption only portends our eventual demise, not to mention the deep losses we suffer now as a result of expansion of human activity and presence on the local natural environment.
If we were to be transitioning towards an economy that is in tune with the needs of the local natural environment and real needs of people, we would not be engaged in the U.S.'s exploitations of other regions, such as Mexico, and thus Mexicans would not feel compelled to leave their country for opportunities that they lost there.
The issue is not enough workers, the issue is too much time spent on work that is useless and destructive. There is no need for anyone in this era to work 40 hours a week and longer.
There is no lack of legal workers in the U.S. to do work that needs to be done and that can be done in a dignified and creative, happy way, and with livable pay. The problem arises when work time is diverted towards what Bucky Fuller called "conformist" work and work that is destructive to this planet.
The notion that we need immigrants to do our dirty work is no less despicable than the notion that post-Revolutionary U.S. needed slaves to do theirs, as the nascent Congress told Benjamin Franklin when he proposed abolition.
Posted by: Long View and Now | Apr 13, 2006 9:19:58 AM
Illegal immigrants, deplorable working conditions, 9/11 security, human rights, sealing off borders, the list goes on & on. Nope there is no single easy answer to solving this growing problem. Yes we could dump more money into deporting, building fences, offering immunities, spending social service dollars, and in a few years we will be here again if we are fortunate enough to have the constant economic growth in our country we have been experiencing lately.
Why did some of our ancestors immigrate to this country? Part of my family came to escape years of famine and decease, much like several of our more recent African refugees have. Some to escape persecution. Why this country? Because here they can have hopes and dreams to a better life. Wouldn't we want everyone to have this opportunity? So how can we help more individuals have an opportunity to have the successes they see are only available in this country?
How many Canadians do you think are her illegally, sneaking across the border trying to eek out an existence below the radar, taking jobs that do not even pay mininum wages? Perhaps the answers will not be found in any one solution, but rather through a more humane response from our citzens, working with our neighboring countries.
And do we ask when buying that "knocked off" Gucci where it was made? Who assembled it? Under what kind of working conditions?
Or how about that contractor we hired last summer to re-roof our house, for less than anyone we could find in the yellow pages? I am sure he paid his non-english speaking help fair and equitable wages.
Also, when an illegal immigrant finds their way into this land of opportunity to not think that that is the only person performing an illegal activity. Several are being transported or helped by traffickers of illegal trades, human or otherwise. Preying upon individuals with hopes and dreams at a better life, an under ground railway of sort. Much like trafficking of slaves.
I am not stating that we, as Americans must go out and save the world, but rather we need to look around us and see that it will take many different solutions for us to make changes happen. And we should try to do this humanely and equitablely. No not free passes for all, but rather help those that need it have an opportunity for success here or in their home country. If we worked to make Mexico a stronger economy with more opportunities for their citizens to succeed then do we not all benefit? And yes if we help Mexico then it will be another country, and another. But you know what, at least we would be trying to do something right, fair and just.
No, free passes are not the answer or closing are borders off. Yes legal immigration should happen and must if we wish to be the brightest, most creative and the world leader in a global market. But with successes comes rewards and responsibilties, and it is those responsibilites we must face if we wish to keep having the successes. Nope not a lot of hoopla but rather the truth about us, our neighbors and the way the world is.
Posted by: Rob | Apr 21, 2006 8:42:25 AM
hey guys....
DON'T SPEAK OUT FOR ME!!!
I came here LEGALLY to this country and I SUPPORT a clear path for legalization for the undocumented WORKERS.
ROSA PARKS was a criminal too when she didn't give her sit to a white man. She disobeyed the law , was she really a criminal? .....We are talking about WORKERS, we are talking about fathers, mothers, childrens...honest working people NOT CRIMINALS.
They are just escaping the exploitation and abuse currently happening in foreign countries by multinational corporation who pay workers low wages and exploit workers. FOR WHAT? for them to come here and be labeled as ILEGALS so this workers can AGAIN be exploited and be paid lower wages AGAIN by this greedy corporations? ITS IS A 21ST CENTURY SLAVERY.
sInstead of blaming them for being undocumented, blame the system that have created a group of people vulnerable to corporation greed. We need to stand n the side of what is fair, on the side of the workers. They deserve benefits, health care and education like any of us. Take your senseless racism and hatred out of your head please and realize that this MILLIONS of people are being underpaid and EXPLOITED.
People that contribute to our society.
People who work and PAY TAXES.
YES! you heard me correctly, they pay taxes. The only difference is that they never get a tax return like the DOCUMENTED workers. Ask yourself where are those billion of dollars going ???? mmmmm
They also pay taxes using the TIN.
I am a citizen now, and I came here legally and that was because I was able to show $25,000 dollars on my checking account and properties.
Overseas you only get permission to come legally if you have money.
The poor can't and trust me, if they had the opportunity to come here legally (escaping multinational corporation abuse in their home country) they would had done so.
Open your eyes! its the law that is creating this group of people so they can be exploited, its the system.
Always stand for the workers, always.
God Bless us All.
Posted by: Giannina | May 2, 2006 5:39:25 PM
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Si, se puede? NO, se puede! If they came to MY country illegally, they're criminals! Why are you supporting them? Why should those in other countries who're waiting to enter the US legally, be put on hold for this "crowd" of law-breakers? They're breaking OUR laws!!!!
Posted by: barb | Apr 10, 2006 1:32:02 PM