Activists Speak Out For Immigration Issues

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Posted: 4:32 PM Nov 8, 2007
Last Updated: 6:56 PM Nov 8, 2007

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Local leaders and immigration activists gathered in Lexington today to respond to recent recommendations on how the city of Lexington should deal with undocumented immigrants.

While most of those in attendance today said they were pleased Mayor Jim Newberry formed the commission to address the immigration issue, they weren't happy that he shot down a couple of the recommendations so quickly.

The report was released Tuesday, and immediately the Mayor said he had serious concerns about two of the recommendations. The first, issuing I.D. cards or driver's licenses to residents regardless of immigration status, and the second, lobbying lawmakers in Frankfort on that issue. Some activists say documentation like this would help police track repeat criminal offenders.

While the Mayor has already expressed concern with some of the recommendations, there is still hope that a compromise can be made.

The nine member commission met for five months and talked with hundreds of people from all walks of life to come up with their seven recommendations.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Rob Location: London on Nov 12, 2007 at 04:49 PM
The reason you are so mad,is that you can't hire an American to work 12-15 hours a day for 3 dollars a day and not feel guilty.....

Posted by: Jim Location: Lexington on Nov 12, 2007 at 04:41 PM
To Bill and Dutch it sounds like eastern Ky has a problem with lazy people living off gov entitlements provided by Democrats who have given them away for years. I stil have a problem with people who ignore our laws. They should not get special treatment over people who do!! As for Farmer in Sharpsburg, there are programs in Ky where farm help can be brought here legally for seasonal help. You say workers here are lazy but you are just as bad if you don't want to take the time and effort to do the right thing. If all of you cannot find a way to do business legally, then maybe you should all find a different way to make a living!

Posted by: Susan Location: Lexington on Nov 12, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Unfettered illegal alien invasion can only progress for so long before the golden goose is dead from exhaustion. The better way of life these people are seeking was only made possible by hard working tax-paying LEGAL citizens for decades!! If one fourth of our veterans are homeless, I think that gives us a huge clue as to whom we should be helping in our society. And no, I'm not talking about the farmers and contractors that won't mechanize or provide a living wage to American workers. These laborers are only cheap for those that employ them. How else could the illegals afford to drive their SUV's unless their other bills are being footed by tax-payers? Wake up America and take OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!!!!! Our children's future depends upon us.

Posted by: cicerores Location: Chicago on Nov 12, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Sure Farmer, Let them be? Once they are done with their work, at the end of the day, WE AMERICANS get to live with them, feed them, pay for their every need, the needs of their anchors and illegal mexican compadres ON OUR DIME. We get to deal with their drunk driving, lawlessness, filth, loud music as they unwind from their day picking your crops, urine soaked streets and alleys, beer bottle throwing, the world is their garbage can - attitudes etc. But leave them alone as long as you make your money off of them. Typical repsonse from the self serving (un-)American. This IS the attitude of the corporations and every American out to make as much money as they can AT THE EXPENSE of The American citizens AND OUR CULTURE. In the old days this would be considered un-American and treasonous. Too bad we can't bring back the past, for these people. Americans were doing the work long before the illegal mexicans came here and are doing the work everywhere that has not yet been overrun.

Posted by: FARMER Location: SHARPSBURG on Nov 12, 2007 at 11:14 AM
HOW MANY OF YOU NON SUPPORTS , WANT TO COME AND HELP US RAISE OUR CROPS , AND THEY NEVER COMPLAIN THAT IS TO HOT MY BACK HURTS , OR I CANT WORK TOMMOROW BECAUSE I GET MY CHECK?NOW LETS SEE HOW MANY OF YOU LAZY ... AMERICANS SHOW UP FOR THE JOB. SO JUST LEAVE THEM BE. ALEAST THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A HONEST LIVING.

Posted by: Bill on Nov 11, 2007 at 06:32 AM
If we send all the Mexicans back who's going to do the work?you sure can't hire these Post Office democrats in Eastern Ky. They will say I can't work for you,I will lose my SSI.At least the Mexicans work hard, and send money home to their familys.That sounds a whole lot like, what we Americans should be doing.Instead of sitting on the porch sucking the goverment dry.=Thats truth thats need printing.=

Posted by: Dutch on Nov 10, 2007 at 07:35 AM
hey leave those Mexicans alone.You can't hire help in Eastern Ky as it is.Most of people are sucking the Post Office, for a living,and won't hit a lick at a snake.=The Mexicans are doing what we should be doing,working every day and sending money to thier familys.you got to respect that.

Posted by: Larry Location: Riverside, Ca on Nov 9, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Massive unfettered illegal immigration has done immeasurable damage to our nation. Forty percent of all foreign nationals illegally domiciled in the U.S. arrived here since January, 2001. It is urgent the Bush "open borders/amnesty" immigration policy be dumped and a strong "attrition through enforcement" policy be implemented before this country is completely overrun and destroyed.

Posted by: cicerores Location: Chicago on Nov 9, 2007 at 03:59 PM
These illegals and their supporters will try any subterfuge to get documentation for people that are criminals and trespassers. The fact is that these I.D. cards will be black marketed by the mexican gangs immediately (same day as they are issued) AND you will never catch a repeat offender because these illegals DON'T HAVE AN IDENTITY. Their identities are purchased as needed and once they are accused of a crime they will purchase another. It's that easy! A New York congressman said it best " How can you expect documentation from undocumented aliens?"

Posted by: Jim Location: Lexinton, KY on Nov 9, 2007 at 03:09 PM
This is the reason why Lexington has KFIRE-Kentuckians For Immigration Reform and Enforcement. Law abiding citizens of all national origins have got to speak out and stop this movement for special treatment for illegal aliens!!!! We have had enough!! Go to www.kfire.us to make yourselves heard!

Posted by: J W Location: Wallins on Nov 9, 2007 at 02:15 PM
You people better deal with the Illegal Mexicans now. If you don't you will see a mass influx of them. Then you will wish you had dealt with them sooner when there were fewer of them. They bring crime desease and a bunch of illegimate children. They are Baby Machines.

Posted by: Randy Location: U.S.A on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Enforce our exsisting laws.Deport the Illegals and fine the employers that hire them.And kick the persons in Government out that cater to them. I am sick of them trying to change our laws of the land.

Posted by: June Location: Texas on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:33 PM
If this administration and a few previous ones had not closed their eyes to the growning problem, we would not be in the jam we're in now. I think the SAVE Act, now being considered in Congress will help with workplace enforcement. Then, we must restore the 14th amendment to its original intentand Cut out all benefits and they'll be on their way.

Posted by: BEN Location: SAN FRANCISCO on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:18 PM
I don't know why these people are called immigration activists, they should be called illegal immigration criminal enablers. Breaking into america is a crime. stealing a social security number, to steal an american job is more crime. Illegal aliens should be seen for what they are, criminals!

Posted by: Buzzm1 Location: CA on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:16 PM
There are probably 30 million illegal immigrants in our country already, and even more are on their way. We need to turn the tide. Illegals go home!!! To report illegal aliens call the DHS National Hotline 1 866 DHS 2ICE. (1-866-347-2523) Contact your Senators and Representatives - office staff email addresses: http://tinyurl.com/2r7q6e Email addresses of the entire office staff of all U.S. Senators: WHO SUPPORT AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. http://tinyurl.com/yr4udu

Posted by: Deborah Location: CA on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:03 PM
To issue an ID card or license is to condone illegal immigration. Police can track repeat offenders with finger prints. Repeat offenders wouldn't be a problem if all illegal aliens were deported! ID cards, etc. make us no safer because there is no way to verify who these people are. They give false names, sometimes many false names. I called the Mexican Consulate last week trying to find a man who committed grand theft. I have that man's Mexican ID issued in Mexico. The Consulate told me it's worthless. They can't track anyone with their own government issued ID number! It's the same as our Social Security number but still worthless in Mexico!

Posted by: c Location: fkt on Nov 9, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Are these actvists crazy? They are part of the problem! You don't give legal forms of ID to illegals! These people are breaking the law and these activists are wanting to reward them for it! These illegals are costing us taxpayers 338 billion dollars a year and you want to give them more! You have to be out of your mind! Good for the mayor for shooting down such stupidity! Stand your ground mayor! This commission is just wasting more taxpayer money, if this kind of thing is all they can come up with! Why not recommend they these illegal people be deported back to their homeland immediately? Furthermore, I'm sick of seeing everything in Spanish! If they cannot speak English, then they need to learn the language or GO BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND! If they want to come to this country that's fine with me BUT do it legally and learn to speak ENGLISH! Moreover, learn OUR culture and stop excepting us to learn yours! Stop excepting us to take care of you, get a job and make it like the rest of us!

Posted by: B Location: KY on Nov 9, 2007 at 08:12 AM
Everyone wants to turn the US into a little Mexico. If people are legal fine if not they should be deported. I dont want my tax dollars to keep illegals drawing food stamps, housing, medical card. Nop other country you get to live and not be legal. So far all of you activists go to Mexico if you like it so much.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Nov 9, 2007 at 07:33 AM
North Carolina started giving drivers licenses to illegals and later rescinded the law. They found out that more gang activity and crime came with it. The illegals were coming from everywhere and getting false documents to show they resided in NC in order to obtain the legal license. The gangs were supplying these false documents for a hefty price. NC also found that the "illegal aliens" were sometimes getting more than one license as well. By using differing alliterations of their names they were able to obtain these multiple driver licenses. So why shud Kentucky want to follow this discredited example? Are we that stupid? Don't answer that I am afraid I already know the answer, senor.

Posted by: TheOmegaMan Location: USA on Nov 9, 2007 at 07:08 AM
They ain't "undocumented immigrants"! They are "illegal aliens"! As far as I am concerned the compromise has already been reached. The local law enforcement has been forbidden to enforce the Federal law pertaining to illegals which is one of the recommendations that Newberry did accept. Folks, we need to let the politicians, business leaders and law enforcement know that we expect them to enforce the law..whether Local, State or Federal. When we start picking and choosing selectively what laws to enforce we shall shortly be in chaos like Mexico and those other 3rd world countries.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Nov 8, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Nine people Five Months Hundreds of Interviews = Seven Recommendations. I'd get fired for that.

Posted by: edwin Location: lex on Nov 8, 2007 at 07:40 PM
I think that thay sould haft to pay in to the same programs like ss just like i hade to.and not be able to get help if thay are not leagel theres to menny pore here in the state to help the ones who send there money home to there famleys and who liveing off us while thay are here.

Posted by: Steve Location: Ky. on Nov 8, 2007 at 04:59 PM
What's to deal with? If they're illegal, then deport them!

Posted by: SGT Howard Location: KY on Nov 8, 2007 at 04:54 PM
nine members for 5 months and came up with this crap, how about 20 million americans and a lifetime of experiance to say go the hell back to Mexico and try doing it the legal way next time.

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