Latino Issues, A Conservative Blog

With all the attention to the border security problem, and the challenges the nation is facing in regards to immigration, here are some thoughts on why learning English is of such importance to immigrants. More importantly, America would benefit greatly if we put a higher priority on getting immigrants to learn English. We are talking about improvements for the economy, reductions in crime, and much more. Learning English allows an immigrant to: 1. Spread their wings beyond the urban Spanish-speaking enclaves. This, of course, leads to better integration, and a better understanding of what our country really looks like--nothing like "el barrio" in LA. But it also has implications as far as housing, jobs, and more. If an immigrant feels compelled to only live in certain areas to be close to other immigrants, this will place serious limitations on housing and jobs available. God knows housing prices are bad enough in LA and in Miami. 2. Improve on the job opportunities availab...

I thought I would share with everyone the work that one of my favorite organizations is doing in Latin America. Great Commission Latin America is a church planting, leadership development, and community outreach non-profit doing some pretty amazing things in Central America and Mexico. If you are on your church's mission committee, Deacons or Elder board, or just a regular church member who wants to make a difference, I would encourage you to contact Carlos Garcia at 614.668.1030 for more information. They are not in it for the money, so the cost of the mission trips (per individual) are much lower than most of these "mission trip" planning companies. They have people on the ground in these countries, and a proven infrastructure to make sure you get to know the culture, while contributing to these impoverished areas. Here is their missions information page. Great Commission Latin America is committed to plant a growing church in every important city of Latin America. We ...

Udpate: Comment from La Ventanita: I don't think so go here http:// marcmasferrer.typepad.com..._weeks_to_.html There is more here and here. Anyone know where in D.C. this is going to be showing? I am so wanting to be there for opening night, make sure it gets some good opening numbers. *** Found a trailer on YouTube . This one looks like it's going to be a good one. The one question that comes to mind is if Andy Garcia over-glorified che and castro's guerrillas. Should be one for tears for those who lost their homeland.

A.M. Mora Y Leon has the story . Let us hope she continues on this path, and does well. It will do the region a lot of good to have a stabilizing local force. I have known many Peruvians. They are great people, and it would be good to see that country improve its economy. A new poll shows that Peru’s free-market, free-trade, pro-property-rights, anti-poverty, anti-Hugo Chavez candidate is BACK IN FIRST PLACE ahead of Peru’s polls this Sunday! If it’s accurate, this is great news! Lourdes Flores is once again topping Ollanta Humala in Peru’s presidential race, not a moment too soon. It immediately follows Flores’ willingness to confront and speak the truth about Hugo Chavez, the continent’s worst tyrant (see my post below ), and stand up for democracy!

For those of us who do not have a background in law, it is this sort of common-sense statements that open our eyes to what exactly the framers had in mind when creating the constitution. I like this perspective. It's one of those moments--more common as of lately--when I agree with the Liberterian perspective. Of course, as usual, this comes via Get Liberty News email. Learn more about it at http://www.getliberty.org . "Today, when a concerted effort is made to obliterate this point, it cannot be repeated too often that the Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals -- that it does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government -- that it is not a charter for government power, but a charter of the citizen's protection against the government." Ayn Rand

Update: AP has more . Democrats are obstructing again. Like I said--maybe its a good thing. Go home during the recess, and listen to your constituents. "It's not gone forward because there's a political advantage for Democrats not to have an immigration bill," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa. He said Democrats perceive a benefit in having only a GOP-written House bill that criminalizes being an illegal immigrant. That bill has prompted massive protests across the country, including a march by 500,000 people in Los Angeles last month. *** Just heard it on Fox. I'm glad. Mabe the Senators can start listening to their constituents, and firm up their backbones. Tags: Politics , border , Homeland Security , MEXICO , Immigration , Illegal Aliens , Border Security , California , GOP

Government cannot be trusted to fulfill its promises. Voters are looking for action--tangible solutions to our border security problems. A big fence would be something like that. Instead, we get a lot of promises, a lot of compromises--and I thought we had a majority control--and very little principled solutions. I don't want more bigger government and virtual fences or complicated legislation that is completely unenforceable. Michelle Malkin reminds everyone the history of our government's record on immigration reform. The open borders lobby says the "immigration reform" compromise sellout won't encourage law-breaking. But the OBL conveniently forgets that the historical record provides absolutely no evidence in support of this claim. There have been seven illegal alien amnesties passed into law since 1986: The 1986 Immigration and Reform Control Act blanket amnesty for an estimated 2.7 million illegal aliens 1994: The "Section 245(i)" temporary ro...

I haven't had as much time to blog as I would like, but I thought I would provide a round up on the immigration bill amnesty. It doesn't look good from what I can tell. Mary Katharine provides a good round up of more links, so make sure to check her post out at HughHewitt.com. Hugh Hewitt had some to-the-point comments as well: When Hill sources had told me there was a fence, I believed that a real fence was included, but of course this is the promise of a fence. It is just not serious. Much could be negotiated away in exchange for ewal border security, but this isn't it. And the bill won't pass. And those associated with it have damaged their political prospects greatly. Frustrating! It's one of those "Why do we even bother having a majority" moments! AS Hugh indicates, from Majority Leader Frist's own blog, here is the "clue" and the wrong message to would-be illegals. Border Enforcement Specifics... - Begin the process of securing ...

From my daily GetLibertyNews email . "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." Benjamin Franklin Enough said.

Everyone is going back to issue number one--a real, physical barrier for our borders. This whole virtual fence things sounds like a child's imaginary friend--sounds nice, but its not real. I would think that most legal immigrants are in agreement that this is going to be a big issue both in 06 adn 08. People are watching, listening and reading. We won't forget, and I expect the blogosphere will make sure of that. We are tired of being tossed around every few years like political scoring points, as both parties try to gain more votes. Its pandernig. What most legal immigrants want is a final and effective solution to this problem. This from Hugh Hewitt : I interviewed a Customs agent yesterday who again confirmed the obvious: Fencing along high traffic areas of the southern border will greatly reduce illegal immigration into the country, thus bringing control to the enduring problem and greatly enhancing security against terrorists and narco-criminals. The House bill passed prov...

This is how it seems to me the GOP should stand !! Most citizens of Latino or immigrant heritage can agree and support this! Awesome! Before even getting into our points, let's start with the basic fact that something must be done. The cost of doing nothing is greater than even the cost of legitimate enforcement of current laws. Police in border states are overwhelmed as are local taxpayers. Many illegal immigrants insult the rule of law by being here, get angry when we call them "illegal" immigrants as opposed to "undocumented," and march in our streets demanding we do nothing to them. There is a social cost to illegal immigration and there is an economic cost. Read the full post . I'm all for the abolishment of minimum wage, by the way. At one point in time, I worked for FREE in an arquitects office as a draftman. Why? To gain experience and knowledge! If I am willing to work for free, why should the government stop me! The minimum wage is costing our econ...

I thought I would share parts of a letter from my younger brother who is going through boot camp with the Coast Guard. I thought it was interesting he felt compelled to assert the fact that he is treated with respect. It makes me wonder how much it is a response to perceived negative image the military has on the outside. Can you tell that he's loving it! Mom & Dad, Well to begin I'm eating like a horse! Besides that it's going ok, I guess. My company almost got reverted yesterday! We are not coming together as a team...too many egos!! I hate it cause I'm giving it my best but when they mess up we all pay for it so it sucks. But I guess we are getting through and coming together little by little. Tomorrow will be April 3, our 3rd week as a company. Hopefully we come through fast and go on to week 4. Our LCD (Lead Company Com.) is super harsh and crazy but I love him a lot, good guy, good morals, high standards and won't settle for less than pefection. He want...

Great article! For those who want to get into the right of self-determination and the whole Reconquista thing, you have to read this. Here is why illegals don't really want this country to look and sound more like Mexico, even for those who don't know it. We must remain one nation, united by common values. I'll take this opportunity to repeat my belief that any sort of path towards citizenship should REQUIRE learning basic English. It should also require testing on some basic American history. Read the full thing from Kathleen Parker over at TownHall.com. Do illegal Mexican immigrants really want Texas or Arizona or California without the U.S. economy, or the U.S. social services, or the inspired government instruments that have made this country so attractive to so many? That's the pinch, isn't it? The country's riches and benefits are not free for the picking - nor are they all necessarily indigenous to the physical territory - but are part of a national p...

Washington, D.C. – RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman addressed the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce today in Washington, D.C. Chairman Mehlman’s remarks addressed the critical issue of comprehensive immigration reform. The following is a transcript of Chairman Mehlman’s remarks as prepared for delivery, and sent to me via email. I haven't had time to read through the whole thing, but I thought I would put it up and hear from you all. Also, make sure to read Linda Chavez column tomorrow morning, once its up . She gives some facts I do agree many are ignoring, regardless of what position you want to take. I don't think it helps anyone when pundits resort to attacks and ignore the facts because it may not support their position. Now, back to Mehlman... What do you think? Any hits? Any misses? Read on... Thank you, Mike, for that kind introduction, and for the hard work you’re doing here at the Hispanic Chamber, and for serving this country at the Small Business Administration. And thank...

Glenn Reynolds pointed me to this post that I thought was right-on! James C. Bennett asserts what I have been saying all along--secure the border as top priority and as step-number-one, THEN start talking about other related issues. You cannot discuss any option or convince anyone to the possible solutions to the problem of illegal immigrants, until there is assurance that more illegals will be coming in. This can only happen if the border is secured--really secured. I smell beltway blaber-talk when they talk about a "virtual fence." Virtual as in it only exists on paper and on the good senator's press releases?? Common! The government will not be able to do this effectively. Without an effectively secured border, none of the other measures are likely to work well, even if we decide that we can stand them. Particularly programs that require a large force of government agents to be effective day in and day out in the face of a substantial segment of the public that does...

The wife came down with the flu over the weekend, and I had a busy day. Sorry everyone--no blogging tonight. I feel a bit worn out by the immigration debate, and frankly, its getting tired! I just wish protestors would go home, and Congress would get their act together and stop chickening out. Feel free to ad your comments on anything you wish.

I discovered this fun cartoon from NewsBusters.org . I've added their syndication script, so you'll be seeing a new strip up there--daily I believe. It's my desire to ad valuable and entertaining content to the blog, and keep you all coming back again and again. Feel free to leave your comments here. If you see a comic strip/edition that you don't like, let me know. I have found it quite entertaining, so I hope you all do to.

More from David Frum on the true root issues that need to be addressed to solve this immigration problem. Follow the money: In 2005, Mexicans in the United States remitted some $20 billion home. That's 3% of Mexico's entire national income. Remittances have surpassed tourism, oil, and the maquiladora assembly industry to emerge as the country's top single source of foreign exchange. For the 6% of Mexican households that receive remittances, these funds can mean the difference between extreme poverty and an income roughly in line with the Mexican average. And as Mexico's economy has malperformed since 2000, remittances have become more essential than ever - not only economically, but politically. This trend explains why Vicente Fox pressed President Bush so hard for amnesty and guestworker programs in Cancun this week. It explains too why George Bush has acceded: After all, Mexico's problems are inevitably America's problems too. The stability and prosper...

I found this great article on the Heritage Foundation web site . If we are willing to invest lives in promoting democracy in the Arab world, I think we can invest in creating economic prosperity in Latin America. The disparity between job growth in America and in other countries has contributed to the recent influx of migrants into the United States, such that between 10 and 12 million illegal aliens now reside in the United States. According to a Pew Hispanic Center study and the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half are from Mexico. Success in reducing this tide requires better border security, workplace enforcement, a practical guest-worker process to match prospective workers with legitimate employment, and encouragement for labor-exporting nations to reform their laws and economies to provide avenues of social mobility now absent in their societies. Note the order--its important. Better border security workplace enforcement ONLY THEN... Practical guest-worker process Encouragement fo...