Latino Issues, A Conservative Blog

[ This post was originaly written on September 28th, when ICE was conducting raids on employers of illegal immigrants. ] Fox news is covering the recent ICE raids on McDonalds (and other companies I think), and the accusations by Hispanic community leaders (who decides who a "community leader" is anyway?) that these raids are somehow "racist.' I can sympathize with the plight of an immigrant who is in this country seeking a better life and seeking to provide for his/her family. Having lived in 3 different Central American countries as a missionary, so I can also sympathize with the plight of Latin Americans who are not able to provide for their families. I certainly can sympathize with the hardship created by corrupt governments in Latin America. BUT ...and this is a MAJOR BUT...every action has consequences. Entering our country illegally has legal consequences , including deportation. This is standard. It may not have been enforced in the past, but no...

If you thought the labor issues surrounding the immigration debate is all about farming or hospitality, you're wrong. I'm not advocating one position or the other -- I'm advocating reasonable debate and careful analysis on the real impact of inaction. Below is an informative press release from the Software & Information Industry Association that came in via email. SIIA Joins Immigration Voice in Call for Green Card Reform   Washington , DC – Sept. 18, 2007 .  The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital information industry, today joined in support with the Immigration Voice, an organization of more than 3,000 highly skilled legal immigrants, in an effort to obtain legislative reform of the green card system.   “Software and digital content companies face a workforce skills shortage that is rising dramatically,” said Mark...

The Republican Party General Chairman Mel Martinez released the following statement (via email) recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month: WASHINGTON – Republican Party General Chairman Mel Martinez released the following statement recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month:   “This month, we celebrate the millions of Hispanics who every single day are contributing to our great nation.  We honor those who have come here to live the American dream, we recognize those who have been here for generations, and we thank those who are serving our nation in uniform here and overseas. “The Republican Party is dedicated to making sure opportunity is available for all Americans.  In the last six and a half years, we have seen the achievement gap in schools narrow, Hispanic unemployment reach historic lows, and unprecedented numbers of Hispanics opening their own small businesses.  We can look back with pride o...

Al Cardenas is Chairman of Romney for President's Hispanic Steering Committee. I got the following email from the campaign. Boston, MA – Al Cardenas, the Chairman of Romney for President's National Hispanic Steering Committee, issued the following statement regarding tonight's Democrat presidential forum on Univision: "Tonight's Univision forum demonstrated once again the consequences that a President Clinton, President Obama or President Edwards would have on the Hispanic community.  Whether it's tax increases for families and the two million Hispanic business owners, socialist-style health care, coddling dictators, opposing free trade with our allies or putting family values last, the Democrat presidential candidates made clear how out of sync their policies are with the best interests of the Hispanic community. Mitt Romney has put in the effort to reach out to this vital bloc, and, after watching tonight's debate...

Excellent comments by Romney on the issue of sanctuary cities. I also loved the fact that he made the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, and addressed the fear many legal immigrants may be feeling as they see the growing frustration with illegal immigration in our country. Also, check out this clip where Romney comments on the debate and the difference between him and Rudy .

Via the Sun Sentinel. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Felix was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as it plowed westward toward Central America, where it was expected to skirt Honduras' coastline Tuesday before slamming into Belize on Wednesday as a hurricane capable of massive destruction. Let's hope it misses it, and that its damage is minimum. I'll be traveling to the Southern coast of Honduras this coming October, and just visited La Ceiba on the Northern coast a few months ago.