After Devastating Earthquake Anti-Immigrants Still Hate Haitian Immigrants

by: NathanArr

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 19:45:40 PM EST

Many of us have heard about the extreme inflammatory remarks by Rush Limbaugh and Pat Roberson but the 700 club and whatever radio stations that are still airing Mr. Limbaugh aren't the only ones using this horrible disaster to broadcast hate.

ALIPAC one of the lead organizations in a network of Anti-immigrant hategroups posted a thread on their website discussing Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's proposal to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Hatian's fleeing to the US and those scheduled to be deported back to Hati. Here are some of the things ALIPAC's members had to say about that:

Why are we messing with the rules? The quake happened yesterday, so no one should have "fled" to the US. This is a bad-bad-bad idea and out right stupid!

And this post by skipper0 who seems to argue that we shouldn't because they don't think we would get the same aid from Hati in a hypothetical disaster? Oh and people fleeing to the United States from Haiti are deadbeats.

Just supposing that the United States had a disaster that stretched from California to the Atlantic ocean, that is not likely but just suppose! Who do you think would come running to our aid???? Over the years back to before WW1 until now this country has spent trillions on fighting wars to rid the world of evil and we have always been the first and largest contributor when there was a natural disaster! Now we are in terrible financial trouble thanks to the current administration. Has anyone offered to help bail us out? NO! and they won't! Enough is enough! According to Fox this morning there are already ships on the way with medical help and food and probably construction materials to help the people rebuild! They are going to need all of their people to help rebuild the country so why in heaven's name would we allow a bunch of deadbeats who do not want to help rebuild their own country to migrate to OUR country??? Its insane to even think of allowing them in here unless they want and have to go through the legal process! That is not likely to happen!

Or this post stating that all Hatian's are gang members. Just like all Italians immigrants were in the mob and all Irish were pawns of the pope?

exactly....just like the central americans and their mara salvatrucha gang!! ask anybody from s. florida and they wioll tell you about the hatian gang problem they have there!!

And this random gem:

The third world, the terrorists, the people who hate us, keeps growing inside the United States with the help of politicians, and others.

And of course there is the obligatory post in all caps:

THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE ILLEGALLY AND IT SEEMS AS IF THE GOVERNMENT DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM DEPORTING THEM BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL HISPANICS THE RULES OF THE GAME CHANGES IN FAVOR OF HISPANICS. ILLEGAL HAITIANS SHOULD BE DEPORTED AND SO SHOULD ALL ILLEGAL MEXICANS AND THE REST OF THE ILLEGAL HISPANICS. AND ITS UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE PUNISHMENT FOR RE-ENTERY INTO THE COUNTRY SWIFT AND SURE.IT SEEMS AS IF THEY HAVE GOT A FREE PASS TO COME AND GO WHEN EVER THEY WANT TO. AND TO SUM IT ALL UP, EVERYONE WHO IS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY SHOULD BE DEPORTED AND THAT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE WOMEN AND THEIR ANCHOR BABIES. THE AUTOMATIC BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP NEEDS TO END STARTING YESTERDAY. THAT IS ONE REASON WHY THESE PREGNANT WOMEN COME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THE GOVERNMENT CAN PUT A STOP TO THIS IF THEY WANT TO.

Post claiming we shouldn't delay deportations because the media is making it seem "worse than it is."

Yep...throw her out. We can delay deportations for a couple weeks. THAT IS IT!! No TPS. And I even question delaying deportation. I have been reading up on the quake. It is only in Port Au Prince that there is a real problem. The outlying areas...some of those areas have no damage at all. Of course the media is concentrating their reporting on the worst hit area so it seems worse than it is.

You can read the rest of the enlightening thread here.

Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Did!

by: AmericasVoice

Fri Aug 07, 2009 at 13:02:16 PM EDT

Sotomayor was finally confirmed today, which not only makes this a proud day for the Latino community, but a historic day for all Americans.

Unfortunately, what should have been a proud moment of bipartisanship was tarnished by the divisive votes of so many Republican senators who opposed Sotomayor. In fact, some right-wing organizations, such as the Americans for Legal Immigration Reform (ALIPAC), put the pressure on asking their supporters to call out "Republican Sell-outs" and oppose their Sotomayor votes. According to the Orlando Sentinel:

In the e-mail blast, the group told its followers to make "thousands of angry, yet proper and legal calls" to stop those senators --including Florida's Mel Martinez-- from voting for her, "because this is EXACTLY HOW THEY PLAN TO PASS AMNESTY NEXT!"

That sounds remarkably as if they're saying a capable judge shouldn't be confirmed because she's Hispanic.

American Border Patrol's Jaramillo: Gheen of ALIPAC a "Psychotic"

by: nezua

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 17:03:27 PM EDT

Ted Hesson, the online editor of Long Island Wins sent me this gem. He further notes via email that he has "verified by phone that the email was sent by Melissa Jaramillo." Melissa Jaramillo is Glenn Spencer's secretary. Glenn Spencer is the leader of American Border Patrol, and the sage who bestows us with ideas such as ""Mexican culture is based on deceit," and "Chicanos and Mexicanos lie as a means of survival."

Below is the letter sent from American Border Patrol's Melissa Jaramillo to ALIPAC founder William Gheen:

First - this email is from me and me alone. I am using my personal email
address to send it as I am NOT writing on behalf of any organization. No one
asked me to write this email. We are in America and we still have Freedom of
Speech. Know that Freedom of Speech does not include libel and slander.

Bad Apples in A Decaying Orchard

by: nezua

Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 15:39:01 PM EDT

Nativists target Chatham County NC with their messages of intolerance

by: Immigrat_CH

Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 10:11:11 AM EST

Yep, Willy Gheen and his merry band of armchair radicals have their panties in a wad over a recent resolution passed by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners and the county's Human Relations Commission indicating  strong opposition to any of its law enforcement agencies contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (ICE)

The program in question is called the 287(g) program. It authorizes ICE and local law enforcement agencies to enter into an agreement to provide local law enforcement officers with training so they could function under the supervision of sworn ICE officers.

Under the program, every person charged with a crime, whether it's for driving without a license or murder, is asked certain questions to determine if they are legally within the United States. If a person is determined to be an illegal alien, then the person would be held for deportation.

We applaud Chatham County and it's courageous Board of Commissioners and County Sheriff Richard Webster for taking this stand to protect the rights of citizens of Chatham County, both legal and illegal.

You're probably familiar with the 287(g) program and how it has been abused by that media whore, Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County Arizona. Arpaio as completely ignored the out of control crime in his county, where more than 44,000 felony warrants await service, while he galavants around the county harassing folks for "being brown".

Sheriff Webster and his department have better things to do than enforce Federal law and waste the taxpayers money.

Willy Gheen see's it differently though and has issued a "Red Alert" (how silly and juvenile) to motivate his handful of armchair radicals to flood the county offices with faxes, phone calls and emails, demanding "his will be done"!

The vote on this resolution was unanimous.  

The Rise of the Online Undocumented Youth Movement

by: DreamActivist

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 14:17:40 PM EST

Cross-posted at DreamACTivist.

After the defeat of the DREAM Act last year, William Gheen, the leader of ALIPAC, who deplores undocumented youth and wants to deport all such students, issued a call for us to stay down: “we should never gloat, but it is time to rub these losses in to our opposition. They need to stay down, instead of forcing us to knock them down again and again.”

These are the values of ALIPAC—immense hatred towards children that were brought here through no choice of their own, American children who want to serve this country, who are the future leaders of this land.

The subaltern has answered Gheen’s coarse demands. In one year since the failure of the DREAM Act, undocumented students have come together in larger numbers than ever before, setting up organizations, networking online, making videos, blogging and petitioning for change.

Youth in the usually-somber waiting rooms of history are bustling with renewed enthusiasm and energy. Trapped as a marginal status, ignored by the mainstream media, with their backs to the wall and everything to lose, undocumented youth are emerging as leaders in their own movement. Take a look at the Ideas for Change campaign at Change.org–the DREAM Act is ahead by a landslide (don’t forget to register and vote), thanks in no part, to the efforts of undocumented students and allies. Following the early success of the Change.org organizing, DreamACTivist and Co. will be back with a spree of actions very soon so remember to get on their twitter or join the new BAMN DREAM fanpage.

In a paper on alternative nationalisms this past year, I wrote:

The ‘politics of waiting’ initiated by stringent United States immigration laws has indeed spurred the rise of a community of undocumented students. United in their desire to be recognized as Americans who deserve the chance to apply for citizenship, they question the ‘alien’ assumption of their character, the ‘otherness’ label that is given to them as an ‘a priori.’

The beneficiaries of the federal DREAM Act are anything but alien—from their slight to unaccented discourses, their spirit to fight their own battles, survival in the face of great opposition and obstacles, these students are American in every way besides a piece of paper: a piece of paper, a green card, that would confer the arbitrary privilege of ‘citizenship’ on these students, a social construct that students are organizing and fighting to achieve by all means. As the Oscar Wilde quote goes “we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities.” In effect, these students are fighting to inherit a large tax burden, serve and die for a country that refuses to acknowledge them, pay hefty loans and mortgages, and to be the force of change and innovation in an eroding Pax Americana. ‘Freedom’ does come with its burden of ironies.

When and how did this happen? Roberto Gonzales traces the emergence of undocumented youth organizing to the immigration marches in 2006. This is not to say that undocumented youth organizing did not exist prior to that movement, but that they cemented a place and social category for themselves. Gonzales writes,

“Civic activity has been on the rise among undocumented youth on college campuses and in communities. New generations of activists are being born out of the very struggle to become ‘American’ and in the process, they are rewriting their own stories.”

Branching out across the United States and the web, undocumented students are now using emerging media technologies to organize for the DREAM Act. And the subaltern is not monolithic but it is united in its goals — Take a look at SIM from Massachusetts, New York Student Youth Leadership Council, the UCLA-based Underground Undergrads, BAMN on the DREAM Act, A DREAM Deferred, DreamACTivist, One DREAM 2009 and the main online social network–DAP. This small list is just scratching the surface of the many student groups that exist. These are youth based movements—online and offline—led and charged primarily by undocumented students. The subaltern is speaking, telling her/his stories and logically putting forth arguments for change.

Dispatches from the Lunatic Fringe

by: Duke Reed

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 13:10:32 PM EST

Warning that "police departments across the nation are going on high level tactical alerts for election day and the day after,"  Gheen assures his followers that his internet "command post" will "remain functional .. in the event of any major national man made or natural disaster"

One can imagine Gheen spending Nov 5th scanning the skies for the black helicopters he's sure will be circling his home any minute.

I have just one word of warning for Gheen's army of the aged:

When he starts talking about selling all your worldly possessions and moving to the "new compound" in the hills of Montana, don't accept the new white Nike's and black sweat suits

.... And whatever you do, stay away from the purple kool aid

Virgil Goode is a Disgrace to the U.S.A.

by: kyledeb

Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 19:32:12 PM EDT

In The Spirit of Vigils: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 09:06:47 AM EDT

New video unmasks the "Hidden System" of federal deportations and detentions at Latina Lista.

had it not been for the conscience-stricken federal interpreter who came forward to reveal how the federal government railroaded these undocumented workers into deportation, the height of the injustice of the system would not have been brought to light.

In the spirit of vigils, rallies and protests, I bring you Joan Baez, famous Mexican-American folk singer! at Latino Politics Blog. Also from yesterday MALDEF holding vigil today for Luis Ramirez and Latino Legislators of the Week, Congressmen Baca, Gutierrez, and Sires - Meeting with the Postville Community regarding the Immigration Raids.

We Stand in No (Every) Place at The Unapologetic Mexican. Take a minute to absorb the ink of Nezua's artist pen.

White Supremacists See Their Imminent Defeat As A Good Thing at Orcinus. It seems that white supremacist groups are banking on an Obama presidency to divide the nation and bring more to their side.  I say they're a bunch of hatest wackadoos who are getting the clear message that the majority doesn't prescribe to their hate.

The Anti-Immigration Rally That Wasn't

by: gregflynn

Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:16:15 AM EDT

A report in the Independent Weekly by Matt Saldaña describes the "event" and the issues:  Choir Practice in Raleigh Anti-immigration activists rally, preaching mostly to themselves

Reporter Mark Binker of Greensboro also had a preview and a subsequent follow-up report on the "rally" that turned out to be little more than a gathering

Below the fold is a collection of images which I've just gotten around to posting.  Several of the images show various staffers from the Civitas Institute, a right wing think-tank in NC that provides demagogic apologia for a range of conservative issues.

ALIPAC: Two Dozen Strong!

by: kyledeb

Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:55:56 AM EDT

Compassion in the Face of Intolerance

by: rachelfirm

Fri Jun 13, 2008 at 11:34:24 AM EDT

I am a teacher  in
North Carolina, where most of my students
are from Central America.  During my years in
this position, I have been blessed in
getting to know some of the most
intelligent, kind, and resourceful students.  
I am extremely distressed by some of the great
hardships mystudents have had to endure
in their native countries,during their journeys
here, and also upon arrival.  
It is painful to see the hopelessness as
some of themspeak of higher education
as impossible because of their (lack of)
papers.  It especially bothers me in light
of our (The United States') history of backing
injustice and financial drain in this region.  
I cannot fathom calling someone "illegal"
because they are trying to provide for their
families, especially when we have contributed
to the problems they face.  I want to be active in effecting legislation on Fair
Immigration Reformand would love some
tips about where to start."

I'm wondering how many concerned citizens there are that ALIPAC doesn't represent in North Carolina? I urge those people to stand up and make their voice heard for immigrant rights. We need you in our fight for humane immigration policy - and if we have any hope of countering the message of hate that groups like ALIPAC are pumping into mainstream America's  

They Say Deport - We Say Support!: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Fri Jun 13, 2008 at 09:08:39 AM EDT

Undocumented Students - Struggle Continues in Canada at A Dream Deferred.

While the United States is busy deporting undocumented immigrant students and the states in the deep South are retreating back into time by closing doors on students, our neighbors up North are also struggling with the issue.

At Smart Borders United States and Spain Square off on Amnesty.

Spanish legislation has taken this one step further by providing basic human rights and opportunities to all immigrants, whatever their legal status. Deportation doesn’t exist in Spain; instead, the emphasis is on integration.

ACTION: Historic Event in Maryland’s International Corridor at Standing FIRM. Watch the video Crimes Against Immigrants Go Unreported. Check out the great pro-migrant art in Art is Action - Pro-Migrant Poster Power!. And read Happy Loving Day!

ALIPAC stands for "Anti Latino Immigration"

by: DreamActivist

Sat Jun 07, 2008 at 17:52:24 PM EDT

William Gheen, the President of ALIPAC.us (not to be mistaken for ALIPAC.net) claims that his site is not a hate group and not anti-immigrant; they are in fact, pro-legal immigration and anti-(illegal)-immigration, and 1 out of 5 members belong to a minority ethnic group. He was incredibly upset by a Charlotte Observer article a few days ago that called him an immigrant-scapegoating bigot, after highlighting his rhetoric:

“We have a destructive human tsunami headed our way,” said William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration, a political action committee based in Raleigh that pushes anti-immigrant legislation. “N.C. lawmakers must act now to protect American jobs, tax resources and lives. Our state must … batten down the hatches immediately.”

I decided to give him and ALIPAC.us the benefit of doubt and check out their discussion forum to see their discourse and what kind of actions they advocate against "illegal immigration." The following is what I uncovered in a couple hours:

Study: Most legal immigrants were 'Illegal' at one time

by: DreamActivist

Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 05:03:55 AM EDT

It appears that most things don't happen in a STRAIGHT line (neither do brain waves and heart beats FYI).

After my constant repetition of "undocumented or illegal is not a permanent immutable characteristic" this past week, the Public Policy Institute of California has just confirmed the accuracy of the statement.

In a new study based on a survery of 8000 people, the PPIC found that 52% of Californians had past experience of living in the country illegally at one time or another.  It absolutely smashes the ill-promoted dichotomy of legal/illegal, proving that binary modes of thinking about immigration policy are superficial, baseless and untrue.

"It highlights how overly simplified our understanding of immigrants and immigration can be," said Hill, who said a stark distinction between "illegal" and "legal" immigrants does not acknowledge the frequent correlation between both categories. "We need to be a little more cognizant of the variety and breadth of experience."

The ALIPACers are seething. They cannot believe that the lines between legal and illegal can be blurred. After all, we are talking about black and white, engraved-in-stone distinctions, right? You can see the obvious physical, emotional, spritual, intellectual and personality differences between a legal and illegal migrant, right? Some have even gone as far as to say that "if they are going to break simple immigration laws, they will break other laws." Yes, because if you run a traffic light or drive above the speed limit, it immediately makes you more likely to commit felonies, right? Believe it or not, there is such a thing as "ex-illegals."

ALIPAC's Internet Fighter Pilots: Pro-Migrant Sanctuarysphere

by: symsess

Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 09:10:56 AM EDT

Goggled and armed with the best cut and paste comments nativist irrational and unsympathetic thought can muster the ALIPAC internet fighter pilots barrel roll through blogs and articles leaving baseless comments along with the scent of glue. The only thing more explosive than ALIPAC's angry online warriors are the battles happening between the nativist camps. So when you venture out to defend migrants watch out for the "nation of laws" bombs and the "what part of illegal don't you understand" bunker busters. Get in your truth tanks and let's get moving!

At No Borders and Binaries read Anti-migrant blogosphere (ALIPAC) fueled by 80-year-olds financed by undocumented migrants!

Watch Detained Immigrants Coerced to Sign Away Their Rights at A Dream Deferred. Also read The InALIENable rights of Corporations.

Once again, the actions of a federal district judge give credence to the belief that businesses and corporations are the ruling class of this country and above the law.

Anti-Illegal Immigration Group Calls for 'Absolut' Vodka Boycott

by: Marisa McNee

Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 23:31:41 PM EDT

Courtesy of FOXNews....clearly there are some people who just cannot take a joke-- albeit not the most well-timed joke-- but a joke nonetheless.

An anti-illegal immigration group issued a call to arms Tuesday against a prominent Swedish vodka brand. Americans for Legal Immigration PAC President William Gheen is in a tizzy over an Absolut vodka advertisement that ran recently in Mexico. While it is no longer running, he says it shows the alcohol manufacturer is peddling products to a group of people actively seeking to claim U.S. territory in the name of Mexico.

I'm not sure which is more funny, the fact that the reporter described Gheen as "in a tizzy" or the fact that Gheen believes they were "peddling products to a group of people actively seeking to claim U.S. territory in the name of Mexico" I suppose it's just, well, sad really. And, of course, when the anti-immigrant crowd is involved...hilarity ensues.

Gheen's group is calling for a boycott of the product until Absolut fires the ad agency. "On the one hand, we are boycotting Absolut. On the other hand, we want to thank them for getting caught" placing such an outrageous ad, Gheen said.

Boycotting Absolut? Hmmm, will Absolut even notice? do we suppose the anti-immigrant, gun-toting, border patrolling crowd normally consumes large amounts of imported Swedish liquor?