Obama asks the Pope to support Illegals

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April 10, 2008 06:45 PM

martha501

Member Since:
March 2, 2007

OBL has asked Pope Benedict to support Amnesty during his visit to D.C. TRANSLATED FROM:
http://www.univisio n.com/contentroo t/wirefeeds/ inmi/7380075. html;jsessionid= WFXMDKMVGBR1GCWI ABTCFFIKZAABUIWC

Washington, 10 abr (EFE).- Organizations that represent immigrants that have been victims of raids and deportations have publicly asked the Pope Benedict XVI to intercede for the rights of the immigrants during his next visit to Washington D.C.

The association Mexican Without Borders has exposed a message to the Most greatest Pontiff "the fear and the violation of human and civil rights" which the Hispanic immigrants in this country are submitted.

In representation of the organization, Ricardo Juárez has indicated in a communiqué that "the jails are full of latin American workers as the result of the failure of the migratory politics".

April 10, 2008 06:56 PM

VeeBee

Member Since:
May 18, 2007

Well, now, aren't we GLAD we seperate church from state now?? The pope has no more right to dictate policy here than does the mormans or obamas racist preacher!

If you have to hyphenate your race--you are NOT an American!! This from a French-German-English-Irish-AMERICAN! See how silly this can become?

April 10, 2008 06:58 PM

Patsy

Member Since:
February 14, 2007

I believe the Pope already does support refuge for illegals, etc. But why would Obama ask for help from the pope. Doesn't the Reverend Wrong wield any power with God and country?

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder

April 10, 2008 07:04 PM

martha501

Member Since:
March 2, 2007

here is a perfect example as to how our government has failed us too late, and how the illegal aliens are stealing our jobs, taking or trying to take money made illegally home or being sent home to their families, I have no pity nor tears for these people, if your country is so bad , YOU FIX IT!! DON'T COME HERE AND TRASH OURS DOWN! WE AIN'T GONNA LET YOU STAY HERE NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU BEEN HERE ILLEGALLY!WAKE UP PEOPLE THESE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DUMPING THEIR UNWANTED IN OUR COUNTRY AND TRYING TO USE THEM TO BENEFIT THEIRS! Racist groups like LA RAZA AND MECHA are being funded by united states tax dollars! What if the KKK and The Black Panthers were funded by tax dollars would that be okay too?read the story if you got tears to shed over this illegal please shed them for him in his country not here.Believe me he got by years without gettin caught and HE KNEW HE WAS BREAKING THE LAW!

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- For 11 years, Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, lived his version of the American dream in Stuart, Florida: washing dishes and living frugally to bring money back to his home country.
Zapeta

Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant, managed to save $59,000 while working as a dishwasher for 11 years.
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Two years ago, Zapeta was ready to return to Guatemala, so he carried a duffel bag filled with $59,000 -- all the cash he had scrimped and saved over the years -- to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

But when Zapeta tried to go through airport security, an officer spotted the money in the bag and called U.S. customs officials.

"They asked me how much money I had," Zapeta recalled, speaking to CNN in Spanish.

He told the customs officials $59,000. At that point, U.S. customs seized his money, setting off a two-year struggle for Zapeta to get it back. Video Zapeta describes how he lost his money »

Zapeta, who speaks no English, said he didn't know he was running afoul of U.S. law by failing to declare he was carrying more than $10,000 with him. Anyone entering or leaving the country with more than $10,000 has to fill out a one-page form declaring the money to U.S. customs.

Officials initially accused Zapeta of being a courier for the drug trade, but they dropped the allegation once he produced pay stubs from restaurants where he had worked. Zapeta earned $5.50 an hour at most of the places where he washed dishes. When he learned to do more, he got a 25-cent raise.

After customs officials seized the money, they turned Zapeta over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The INS released him but began deportation proceedings. For two years, Zapeta has had two attorneys working pro bono: one on his immigration case, the other trying to get his money back.

"They are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man," he said.

Zapeta's story became public last year on CNN and in The Palm Beach Post newspaper, prompting well-wishers to give him nearly $10,000 -- money that now sits in a trust.

Robert Gershman, one of Zapeta's attorneys, said federal prosecutors later offered his client a deal: He could take $10,000 of the original cash seized, plus $9,000 in donations as long as he didn't talk publicly and left the country immediately.

Zapeta said, "No." He wanted all his money. He'd earned it, he said.

Now, according to Gershman, the Internal Revenue Service wants access to the donated cash to cover taxes on the donations and on the money Zapeta made as a dishwasher. Zapeta admits he never paid taxes.

CNN contacted the U.S. Attorneys office in Miami, U.S. Customs and the IRS about Zapeta's case. They all declined to comment.
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Marisol Zequeira, an immigration lawyer, said illegal immigrants such as Zapeta have few options when dealing with the U.S. government.

"When you are poor, uneducated and illegal, your avenues are cut," he said.

On Wednesday, Zapeta went to immigration court and got more bad news. The judge gave the dishwasher until the end of January to leave the country on his own. He's unlikely to see a penny of his money.

"I am desperate," Zapeta said. "I no longer feel good about this country."

Zapeta said his goal in coming to the United States was to make enough money to buy land in his mountain village and build a home for his mother and sisters. He sent no money back to Guatemala over the years, he said, and planned to bring it all home at once.
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At Wednesday's hearing, Zapeta was given official status in the United States -- voluntary departure -- and a signed order from a judge. For the first time, he can work legally in the U.S.

By the end of January, Zapeta may be able to earn enough money to pay for a one-way ticket home so the U.S. government, which seized his $59,000, doesn't have to do so

April 10, 2008 07:11 PM

martha501

Member Since:
March 2, 2007

Some good news for a change:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...g-loan-access/

Realtor stops immigrant loans

Options for obtaining controversial mortgages drying up

By Daniel Connolly
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Su Casa Realty, one of the biggest real estate agencies catering to Hispanic immigrants in Memphis, has largely stopped selling homes to people without Social Security numbers, often a sign that they are here illegally.
Juan Romo, part owner of the Century 21 franchise, said mortgage programs for people who lack Social Security numbers aren't likely to come back as banks clamp down on credit in response to the sub-prime housing crisis.

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Obama asks the Pope to support Illegals

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