Some clergy call on illegal immigrants to boycott the Census. “This is a matter of moral principle,” Miguel Rivera, leader of the boycott, says.
The National Coalition Of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders called for the boycott last year in an effort to push leaders to pass immigration reform.
Now Rivera, president of the coalition, says it's in the best interest of millions of illegal immigrants to “exercise their right to free expression maintaining themselves silent and not exposing themselves further.”
The group estimates more than 3 million illegal immigrants won’t cooperate with the Census.
The U.S. Constitution calls for a nationwide count every 10 years. The data is used to distribute some $300 billion to state and local governments and adjust congressional representation.
Census officials say its critical that every resident be counted, and that immigration status is not part of the query.
An undercount could affect millions of dollars coming to the Carolinas for roads, schools and hospitals. It could also determine whether either state gains a congressional seat.
The pastors however say political representation and federal money don't matter to illegal immigrants, who can't vote and don't get to enjoy many of the benefits of living here.
Here are excerpts from a letter Rivera sent out this morning:
"The Census boycott is on. This is a matter of moral principle and pastoral care.
Congress will not move forward with legalization, there is no moratorium on executing raids and deportations.
It is in the best interests and the welfare of millions of undocumented immigrants, to exercise their right to free expression maintaining themselves silent and not exposing themselves further…
… We recognize that the Census is important, but its own importance and accuracy, converts itself into a weapon of families destruction."
…Only a Cease and Desist on Raids and Deportations would move us to call the boycott effort to stop.
File photo: Radio host Jorge Medina asked listeners last year if they'll participate in Census. Many said they'll boycott.
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30 comments:
So you condon this Franco?
What's your stance?
The Census began as a means to apportion representation to the states.
Now, it is primarily used as a means to redistribute private property confiscated from the people (aka 'federal funds').
I will be boycotting as well.
"It is in the best interests and the welfare of millions of undocumented immigrants, to exercise their right to free expression maintaining themselves silent and not exposing themselves further…"
I'm sorry, but when did an ILLEGAL immigrant recieve ANY right to free expression. Isn't that something that comes along with being a LEGAL citizen? And how in the world will this help them in the long run?
How hard is it for these lazy POS's to go do it the RIGHT way instead of waiting for the gov't just hand out citizenship to them? Thousands of others do it all the time!
Hey Franco. Do you think this is a good idea? Please tell us what you think?
Franco, if it's a NATIONAL boycott then it WILL NOT have any effect on apportionment in the Carolinas because the "undercount" will affect EVERY state.
Why are you trying to deceive your readers?
Illegals don't have any "moral principles", Mr. Rivera.
I don't generally respond to anonymous comments, but this issue has come up before.
Some people seem to interpret my writing about a certain subject, whether its this Census boycott or a Supreme Court decision, means I'm taking a stance one way or the other. I'm not.
I'll be writing later today about ICE expanding 287(g) program in North Carolina, for example.
I choose stories based on what I consider interesting and newsworthy -- and also what I can verify.
Can someone explain to me why they refer to themselves as "undocumented" immigrants? If I go out this afternoon and rob a bank or kill someone, am I then refered to as an "undocumented"? You would think that if you are ILLEGAL you would at least have the brass to call yourself ILLEGAL?
The census just enumerates who is here on April 1. If you wish to boycott, that is your right, but to be honest you should leave by April 1, whether legal, illegal, citizen, whatever.
Hurry, only 10 hours left.
[why they refer to themselves as "undocumented" immigrants]
Because they don't have documents, I bet, such as green cards.
I'm not sure what sort of documents you need to rob banks, though.
If the illegals refuse to be counted then they need to stop using anything that's funded by taxes. Such as schools, roads, hospitals, etc.
We can easily prevent them from using schools and hospitals since all we would need to do is ask for documents and make sure they are valid.
The roads part may be tricky, unless we start using alot more toll booths.
Your "right" of free expression. You're illegal, you have NO rights.
ILLEGALS LEFT THEIR MORALS AT THE BORDER WHEN THEY BROKE THE LAW AND SNEAKED INTO THIS GREAT COUNTRY, AND ALL THE CHURCH GIVES A DAMN ABOUT IS THE HEAD COUNT WHEN THEY PASS AROUND THE COLLECTION BOX. FRANCO! YOUR A TRAITOR!
Franco has condoned illegal immigration along with others at the CO, They don't care that illegals are taking jobs, committing crimes, sucking up benefits in schools, etc. And the ones I know don't pay taxes. Many businesses employee them and does not take out federal income tax on them.
I say DEPORT all illegals. Franco and Mary Newsome at the CO also.
And cancel your subscription to the CO.
How in the world can someone exe3rcise their rights when they are illegal?????
Deport these lawbreaking folks that think they are above the law. Being politically correct is ruining our country. It is time for a revolution to take our country back.
sflee, their lack of documents sure doesn't stop them from leeching off of our social service programs, and pretty much everything else. In total, I have no doubt that it adds up to a heck of a lot more than what someone robbing a bank could get away with. And the odds of an illegal alien being put in prison is substantially less as well.
Our government is betraying us in a big way. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are really interested in protecting legal citizens... and all the while these illegals procreate like roaches, popping out new 'citizens' or anchor babies on a daily basis.
That would be:
ARIA: Association for the Repatriation of Illegal Aliens.
I work for the Census. I could care less if you're an illegal or not. All I care about is that you're counted so the county/city you live in can get more money if it's due to it. More people means more money. For those of you that aren't illegals and refuse to be counted, ummmm......it's the LAW. Read the census form you received in the mail. The only people that look at the form are the ones who fill it out, and the supervisors that receive it to make sure it's filled out properly. It's put through a machine after that. The information is confidential for 72 years. Nobody cares what you put on it, we only care that you DID IT. So please fill out your form.
Illegal aliens committed a Federal crime coming here. They are committing a Federal crime living here. Where do you draw the line at which laws you're going to follow?
If entered Mexico illegally, how would I be received by the Mexican government?
It would seem to me that the primary benefits of the modern census (distribution of funds for the public good, i.e. roads, and political representation) would be beneficial to those living here without the blessing of the U.S. government. All benefit from better roads and a change in the political process could relieve some of the political pressure on these people, depending on who was elected.
In regard to discussion concerning rights of expression I would ask us all to consider Article 19 in the Universal Declaration of Rights. Here all are recognized to have a right to free expression. Not just certified Americans.
I guess our undocumented workers have something in common with the teabaggers after all.
Reds enjoy rumagging Americas underground in the shadows and do not want to be counted else then they would be accountable and held responsible.
As a race they are certainly more superior as workers plus far more intelligent than the black race at a much higher level with business knowledge skills and education but they are taking advantage of the situation.
The only way America could tolerate ever making them citizens would be to switch out tit for tat the total red population for the total black population with Mexico that would be an excellent deal for whites but we know this is next to impossible unless the governments could work it out jointly. Although it may be worth a try if feasible. Otherwise there is no other way to keep them.
Great.
If the illegals aren't counted, then they won't get the gubmint cheese when it's passed out.
Maybe local governments will start rationing "free" services to legal immigrants and citizens only.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
The primary purpose of the Census is no longer to apportion representation; it is to redistribute property TAKEN away from the citizenry.
It is a wealth redistribution scheme.
BOYCOTT THE CENSUS!
Get out of here ILLEGAL immigrants your sucking our country dry and we're having enough problems providing jobs for NATIVE born Americans.
HEY FRANCO THATS GOOD! HERE IN PHOENIX, WE STOPPED ALL DAY KINDERGARDEN BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. WHEN THE ILLEGAL TRASH BOYCOTT THE CENSUS IT JUSTIFIES THE CUTS. LESS PEOPLE, LESS BENIFITS. IN THE MEANTIME WE ENJOY SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO, "A GREAT AMERICAN", ROUNDING UP THE ILLEGALS AND DEPORTING THEM. THE BOYCOTT IS A GOOD THING FOR AMERICANS. AND SO IS EXPANDING 287G
Such vitriol here. So many of you complain that the Latinos are taking away jobs - I just wonder where you have the time to moan about immigration on Franco's blog.
I really wish people would stop with the moral posturing, because if your family was starving, you'd do the same thing as many of the undocumented immigrants have done. If you wouldn’t, then you simply don’t love your family enough.
First things first - Mexicans and other Latin Americans are PREVENTED from immigrating legally, with a few exceptions that are really only open to the connected and/or privileged. So let's stop with the "they should come here legally" argument. Instead, let's have a REAL discussion about revising the artificially low immigration threshold numbers. IF YOU CREATE A WAY FOR LATINOS TO IMMIGRATE LEGALLY, THEY'LL DO IT. They want to come here, and they want to be American. And our companies want them to come because they contribute to our labor economy.
And please…enough of the hackneyed “I’m a native-born American” arguments. I’m pretty sure most of the Latinos in this community have a more legitimate claim to being “Native American” than most of those complaining that all immigrants should leave the country. I’m quite certain your presence here is thanks to immigrant ancestors.
Segueing back to the matter of the census. It’s incredibly irresponsible of the clergy to convince undocumented immigrants to boycott the census. Instead they should be educating them that the information will be kept safe for 72 years – not even Homeland Security or the IRS will have access to it.
It’s pretty well-documented that the Latino community, whether documented or not, contributes mightily to the U.S. economy. Undocumented immigrants are keeping YOUR Social Security afloat. But it’s unfair of them to not fill out this form that will allow for our communities to receive the funds necessary to support the infrastructure that in turn supports them.
Shame on the clergy for misguiding immigrants without access to information on just how important the census is.
We're WHITE and we are boycotting the census...besides it keeps census workers employed longer!
I answered one question: How many people live here? That's all they need to know to redistrict. Everything else on the form is designed to steal property from some Americans, and redistribute it by using the threat of government force. But I can respect the total boycotters - you should not be forced against your will to do unpaid work for government.
If you don't fill out the census form, then you're illegal by definition. Illegal alien, illegal citizen, I don't care.
Just go away.
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