Recent comments
When we give them citizenship they can run back an forth as they please with their drugs guns just what ever they want to do come here an get there welfair checks an go back home the other 29 days the fact is there here to drain america the sad thing is were alowing them to take over there killing more of our people than the iraqs we need an alamo 2
I have spent most of my life in service to my county and do not care to see it being deteriorated from within because of our elected officials unwillingness to take a stand. I have also lived in the Roanoke Valley for about the past 14 years and would rater move elsewhere than to live in an area that quietly and knowingly allows sanctuary to illegal aliens. I would much rather see my tax dollars being spent on T walling the mexican border with only one access point per state and hiring enough INS agents to effectively go state to state deporting all illegal aliens and barring reentry into our country. Our contry also needs toughened legislation that allows for extremely stiff fines and penalties for companies that hire undocumented workers. What very few people fail to realize is that when someone gains citizenship then thier entire immediate family is then eligible for citizenship. If we give 12 million illegals citizenship the we are looking at the possibility of 100's of millions being allowed in and destroying any and all of our social programs, overwhelming public school systems and making health care completely unaffordable because of the loss of revenue from all the immigrants that receive care and cant or wont pay. Let also not forget about the drugs, and crime such from gangs such as MS13 that are comprised mostly of hispanics. I have bled and sacrificed so that my children could grow up in a better world not a worse one.
What a shame that the author sanitizes this issue?
Have you seen what illegal immigration has done to Los Angeles and most of southern California?
Are you Americans that stupid?
These illegal foreigners are taking over every neighborhood they can grab and they don't accept Americans or anyone that does not look like them!
You want this land to become Mexico?
Go ahead and let them stay and see what you will go though!
You are all CRAZY!
No to illegal immigration!
Deport all illegal aliens back to their homelands.
I think I agree with the majority. Mexican workers in Roanoke and across america are hard workers here soley to make a better life for themselves and their families. However, if they are illegal they need to be deported. Our tax dollars have enough hands out for them. We can't keep solving everyone elses problems. If they are so valuable to our work force then let their employers foot the bill to obtain a legal status
them. Yeah, right. They need to play by the rules or go home!!!!!!!
If you want to come here to the united states legal thats fine but when you do it illegal i have a problem with that. you come over here you make your pay check and send it back to your wife and daughter. so you can live high on a hog when you decide to go back to mexico. you can by a car drive illegal wihtout a drivers license,insurance, and our goverment will still issue you tages even tho you dont have a driver license's. but as long as your tickets have been payed, well issue you a set of tags no problem. great here's your set of tags go home put them on your car. get out on our roads and risk everyones life becasue if you cant read out road signs our language or your native language. THEN YOU SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE... BUT NO OUR GOVERMENT MUST WONT YOU ONE THE ROAD. OH BUT YOU CAN GO TO NORTH CAROLINA THEY WILL GIVE YOU A LICENSE THEN YOU CAN MOVE TO VIRGINIA.
BUT NOW LET AN AMERICAN GET CAUGHT WIHTOUT A LICENSE AND NO INSURANCE WE GET ARRESTED AND SPEND LONGER TAHN 4 HOURS IN JAIL .. BUT ITS OK FOR AN ILLEGAL ALIEN TO DO JUST THAT WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT OUR GOOD OLE GOVERMENT.............
I think that everybody has the chance to come to the U.S if they come legally!!!But they shouldn't be allowed to come here and get welfare, foodstamps and live off of our tax payers money.We have our own kids that are going without food and medical help,also if they want to come to the U.S they HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH ihate to walk into a place and all you here is #%&*^& i say controll our boarders (thats what we pay law enforcement to do)don't give them welfare and i bet half of them will stay where there at.belive me i hope our senetars are reading this because i'll be watching very closely who i'll be voting for this election!!!!
Recently having moved to Roanoke from El Paso, TX I feel the issue is the difficulty that Mexicans have when they are not people of means and try to follow the proper procedures to immigrate into our country. I watched over the seven years I was there issue after issue that one family of friends were faced with and the expense it was for them to try to bring other family members to the US as well as to become citizens themselves. They are milked of what little funds and savings they have by lawyers and procedures day after day. This family was afraid to make waves because they feared they would lose what they had already gained. Poor Mexican people do not stand a chance with the system and become very discouraged when others pass them by because of funding or connections.
Make the path fair, equal and easier to follow and most Mexican immigrants will follow it. I left some of the most honest, family loving, and hard working friends I have ever known behind when I moved back to Virginia.
To all the people that shun upon immigrants being here in the valley are just blind.
Stop crying about it, there is so much to share and there are plenty of jobs here for every one.
I actually do not see any americans working in many of the harder jobs, ie. farming, construction, roofing, landscape.
So, all the white people rather have cushy jobs. They are just here to take the jobs that lazy Americans do not want.
They are not bothering anyone. Taxes are going in many other areas that are not to many Americans liking. But Americans have a lot of time an their hands and have nothing better to do, but to complain.
Get over it.
Some where in your family tree, you were once an immigrant. You are no better than the person sitting or standing next to you, but you wish to think that you are just to make yourself feel better.
“They work hard for the people who hire them, which is incidentally why they are here: for dollars, not because they like the mountains of Roanoke.” said Enrique Escorza, consul general of Mexico, during an April documentation clinic at Preston Park Primary School.
Mr. Escorza says it best, illegal aliens are not here to be part of the rich Southwestern Virginia culture. These people do not respect our country, State, or its people.
The resources needed for the millions of American citizens in need is being stolen by 20 million illegal aliens. I resent my tax dollars supporting a crimial interprise.
We really need to let up off these "Immigrnts"., after all how many of us can say we are true Anericans? Only the Native Indians. Before we attack these "Immigrants", we need to read our history books. The Indians were the first inhabitants of this country. The opportunistic Europeans (our forefathers), came and stole their lands among other things. I really have no time to delve into this at this moment, but the point I am trying to get across is that the majority of us "Americans" do have some form of immigrant roots. If the Indians had the power that we are wielding today, where would we all be? Certainly not in America, because they would have prevented everyone of our fore-parents from landing on these shores of America.
If the writer above who claims that 45% of all children under 5 in America are Hispanic is correct, the future is already decided. Hispanics come to America because there are jobs for them; jobs Americans can't or won't do. Construction, cleaning, farming and restaurant cooking would come to a quick halt if not for all the Hispanics. The problem is that the government makes it too difficult to come legally and thus forces the Hispanics into an illegal mode. The jobs are here and the Hispanics are here - a more common sense solution is needed.
The MAIN reason I moved to Roanoke from Harrisonburg was because Middle class families such as myself, where increasingly surrounded by Hispanic families moving in next door. There were always a house full 6 or more living in one house, not including the children. It was loud and there was NEVER a place to park, as they owned multiple cars. Now, as I drive around Roanoke as see the same trend beginning, I think it's time to move elsewhere. I'm not being judgemental I'm being realistic! If you enjoy coming home relaxing after work in your own yard, then things are about to change. Get used to Loud talking, loud music and a lot of people around. A lot of Roanoker's are being very naive about being so inviting to immigrants and extremely too accomodating.
I fought a War to prevent OUR COUNTRY/VIRGINIA
from being INVADED by Any ILLEGAL NATIONALS and
INVADERS - and Very much resent Anyone: Government
State and City officials, allowing such Disgusting
Support for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM MEXICO, LATIN
AMERICA, and ELSEWHERE.
VIrginia is for those who want to become AMERICANS
-NOT A THIRD CLASS NATION OR STATE !
Let OUR next election Speak Loud And Clear: build
border fences,heavily fine employers of Illegals,
and return ALL who do not LEGALLY BELONG HERE !
I do not think people are upset with immigrants coming over to America and setting up a better life for their families. All of us came from somewhere. I think people are upset for two reasons. The first is how the illegal immigrants may be coming into America. Some, not all, are sneaking over the borders at night, hiding inside cars, or arriving by boatloads. They should do it the legal way. Working on a visa, learning the language so there will be an easier transition for their families, and taking the citizenship test(no matter what a joke that test may be). The second reason why people are so upset is that our taxpayers money is paying to support a large number of them. 29% are using 1 major welfare program. Immigrants and their minor children account for 1 in 4 living in poverty. 1/3 lack any health insurance. 34% had not completed high school. 45% of all children under the age of 5 in America are Hispanic. So when you see these statistics it makes people angry. Immigrants deserve to come here legally and Americans deserve to express their frustration with the ones who do it illegally. I welcome anyone that comes in the legal way.
Everyone is very quick to judge these “illegal” immigrants, but how many of you actually have been in a home of these people or have taken the time to get to know them? You will find their culture has maintain strong family values and the children are far more respective than todays “American” children. Maybe we can learn something from them!! Each one of us would do whatever measures it took to insure a better life for our own children even if it meant crossing a boarder illegally.
From Matthew ch. 7: “Don’t pass judgment on others so that you won’t be judged yourself. As you judge others, so you will yourselves be judged, and whatever action you take against others will be dealt back to you.
I am so fed up with going out in Roanoke and only hearing spanish,managment postions reguiring i speak spanish, and my children having to learn Spanish in order to go to school.Jobs are being given to these people because of kick backs from the goverment to the factory's ect that hire them even though we have very quilified "Americans"that can do the job.Most of these people are here illigally but they are on our welfare roles, getting houseing and food stamps which we are paying for when "Americans" mostly the elderly can get no help at all,they speak of rights, what about American's right???Do you know that in the American Embassy in Mexico everyone has to speak spanish, so when these people come to the U.S. why don't they have to speak english? I really don't care what the nation,if there in this country they should adapt to our culture not us adjusting to theirs,the people of any nation that comes here illigally should be rounded up and deported, put on a black list and never let into our country again.The Russians have large pockets in New York City, there are many more out there. We are the only country that lets anyone in illagally or not, then takes care of all their needs while letting our own people do with out. And you wonder why people are moving away from Roanoke,and the the United States.
I have read these comments and I strongly object to Mary! I am a US citizen. I love my country. I know many Spanish speaking immigrants, legal and illegal, Mexican, Honduran, Cuban, Peruvian, Puerto Rican, etc. All of the ones I have met in Virgina, especially in and around Roanoke, are hard working individuals who want to support themselves and their families. As for not wanting to hear people speaking Spanish, she must be afraid they are talking about her! As for only wanting to marry Americans so they can become legal, it doesn't work that way! In fact, marrying an American can sometimes make it harder for an illegal to become legal and it makes it difficult for their families. There is always the fear that the illegal parent can be deported and leave the family with necessary support - financially and emotionally! She should quit spouting old wives tales and know what she is talking about before she starts running her mouth. And, by the way, I am not of Mexican decent! I can trace some of my family ties to the American Indian - did Mary's family ask them if she could come here and ruin their way of life? I think not!
i agree with the lady "JESSICA" because she is telling the truth thats why people come to usa to live a better life, work hard for their money and send to their family in their country. i also speak spanish and english i go to school and i am going to graduate in 1 year and i am going to do something good for this country and my country.another thing that i agree with is the part that she said that other people just sit around and not doing anything just waitting for uncle sam when we are working hard.people say that we are not doing anything for this counrty then who were the persons that bulit their house and made a better road for everybody and more.
It is well proven that there are lazy Americans and ones with criminal intent. Sad, disappointing and annoying. However, they are American citizens. Exiling or deporting criminals was used by the English, note Australia. It is a part of the American citizenry that must be burdened, begrudgingly.
Unemployed Americans can not readily sneak across a border to find work, nor should they be required to.
Instead of spending billions on illegals aliens, why not spend billions addressing the unemployment and health care needs of American citizens?
It may be easy to ignore American's in need because of the arrival of illegal immigrants, but how immoral. Mexico and the other originators of illegal aliens are responsible for the social welfare of their people, the USA is not.
From now on please refer to me as an Irish-Scottish-German-English-Virginia American. Society coming soon.
Jessica recently wrote suggested that criticism of illegal immigrants was "spreading ignorant prejudices and hatred". Following is some truth, which supports Mary.
The Roanoke Times and other national media seemingly prefer to present politically correct pictures of illegal immigrants, specifically hispanics. Even with a few of the reportedly 11 to 20 million illegal aliens working regularly, the majority of the illegal alien population does not work regularly and in fact lives off Uncle Sam, who is not their Uncle. In addition, individuals and groups supporting illegal aliens are almost unanimously hispanic. It would be nice if these individuals rallied for American citizens that are discriminated against with the gusto they exhibit for illegal aliens. Only the hispanic groups are asking for special rights, this is why there is anger and resentment.
What is not on the evening news and should be are reports such as "Mexican meth fills gap in U.S. market" presented on MSNBC on Sept. 18.
Health Care
Currently, one in four uninsured persons in the United States is an illegal immigrant. While precise numbers are not possible, based on figures from four areas alone health care-related costs for illegal immigrants easily surpasses $1 billion annually (Texas - $393 million; Florida - $40 million; Los Angeles - $350 million; U.S.-Mexico border counties - $300 million). Nearly half of illegal immigrants either have no health insurance or have it provided by taxpayers. In some hospitals, almost two-thirds of operating costs are generated by illegal immigrants. More than half of Hispanics, the nation's largest immigrant group, are without insurance. Because they lack insurance, a growing number of immigrants use hospital emergency rooms as clinics; E.R. care is among the most expensive. This problem is so pervasive some Mexican ambulance companies instruct their crews to take uninsured Mexican patients across the border to the United States.
see: http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/cosman.pdf
Education
"The level of immigration is so massive, it's choking urban schools ...It's bad enough when you have desperate kids with U.S. backgrounds who require massive resources. In come kids with totally different needs, and it creates crushing burdens on urban schools," says David Stewart, author of Immigration and Education: The Crisis and Opportunities.
Incarceration
The U.S. government says it spent $5.8 billion incarcerating illegal aliens between 2002 and 2005.
Illegal immigrants are not coming for the American dream, but to steal the American dream.
Yo hablo un poquito de Espanol. I speak a little Spanish.
I grew up in the Roanoke Valley. My roots go back hundreds and maybe even thousands of years in this most beautiful of places. Does this mean I am entitled to a free ride. God I hope not! I would not wish a free ride or attitude of entitlement on anyone I care for, or even on an enemy.
My father taught me to respect anyone who is willing to work hard. It was a very hard lesson; for both of us.
It is only natural for recent immigrants to want a "piece of the pie." If you find your piece has gotten too small, teach them to bake a pie. From what I've seen most of them are willing to work beside us. Just remember the old timer doesn't get a free ride either.
Welcome to America! Land of the free and home of the brave...land of OPPORTUNITY. No free rides.
Dear Site Owner,
That first comment, by Mary, was blatantly prejudiced and ignorant. I am appalled that you would approve it. It is filled with disdain for a group of people. She made a blanket unfair statement about Mexicans that is truly offensive and simply not true. Posting it only perpetuates her prejudice.
That is such an angry state of mind.
As a Mexican, I can speak from true experience that:
1. I was never taught to beg, borrow and steal.
2. I speak Spanish. But that does not make me an illegal. That makes me, bilingual. Since, I embrace America as my country, I proudly practice my right to speak my mind in English or Spanish.
3. As for my family planting their feet in this country, my parents did it legally.
I am not a special case. There are many that have come to this country to pursue the "American Dream" and do it legally. And yes, there are many that have come illegally. But from my experience, these people come to work hard. Unlike many people that sit around and wait for Uncle Sam to support them. They work hard. If they wanted to beg, borrow, and steal, they would do it in their own country. They wouldn't have to endanger their lives getting here, just to beg. They come for opportunity to work hard and get paid, so that they can make a living.
Immigration is a serious problem, but not one that is going to be solved by perpetuating ignorant prejudices and spreading hatred. Which is what this Mary person is doing.
Mexicans are corrupt people. From childhood, they are taught to beg, borrow and steal; that is what they do. They steal for "The American Dream," then have zero respect for it. My advice is to better control the borders and send back all illegals now! This is America, and we speak English, I too, resent hearing Spanish speaking illegals. They're taking advantage of the situation; why do you think we have so much identity theft these days???? My advice to American parents is to watch your sons and daughters, do not allow them to socialize with these illegal Mexicans, as all they want is to become romatically involved so they "have" to become legal by marriage!! There is no end to what they will do to get their feet planted in the USA! This happens more often than not and we can't be stupid and believe their "hard-up stories" any longer and allow this to continue!
Well to me they shouldn't be here me and my husband worked in Roanoke for about 18 years and the company we worked for {BD} bought in immigrants, and out of the 10 or so that was working 1 could speak and they made more money and all of thems pay was on one check. Wasn't long after that I was hurt on a job and the people we worked wanted as to be on the job at 7 am and we was getting on the job at 7:30 am and we said we would just work 30 mins over everyone else and the head man told us his way or no way and so I was hurt and my husband didn't go back to work for them and I couldn't cause I was hurt. So I didn't get anything from the company or Workers Compensation cause the Company lied and said I didn't get hurt on the job. And they said they would like to have all immigrants working for them, so you can say the immigrants took my husband job and this isn't right for all of us cause we can't get jobs cause to immigrants for working the jobs. What has went with the USA. What a way to repay us nice people for helping them out! Why doesn't anyone have the backbone to report on what their presence is doing to our neighborhoods? ).....most of the hispanics in this area are not taking jobs that americans want...if american citizens were willing to work at these jobs for low pay and long hrs, & 6 & 7 day work weeks, then no one would be hiring foreigners for these jobs....i think we need to reassess our own values and priorities before we judge others....do you want to work 7-10 days in a row, 10+ hours each day and minimum or close to it wages?? Go back to your homeland.
legal seems to be a word that the roanoke news paper does not comprehend! where do they get off breaking the law, and why is all our judicial system in roanoke disobeying the laws that we as american citizens have to follow. our sons and daughters are fighting and dying to protect our rights and that means the little benefits we get,i have heard that roanoke is the name of the city that is recommended when they illegally come into the united states because they won't have to worry about anything because roanoke welcomes illegals with open arms! there is no border patrols looking for them! if they feel so good about coming to the united states,why don't they join the arm forces and give alittle back to this country instead of still supporting their countries by sending back all the money they make. it is true about the mexican restaurants because the owner of most of the mexican restaurants are owned by one man in roanoke and he bragged a while back in the story they wrote about him how proud he was that he contributed to roanoke's growing problem by bringing illegals over all the time! when they tired of his low wages,they moved on to other better jobs or better yet american benefits that are freely given to them when they apply for them because even social services feels sorry for them, and they are better qualified to get benefits that most americans have to fight to get! its not a matter of how hard they work its about obeying the law! come in legally, learn english, and obey the laws and atleast learn something about america, this is what most americans are saying. it a slap in the face to the ones that worked hard to be able to come legally to america!!!!where is the fairness!!we have alot of our young people coming out of high school not knowing what to do and would gladly do the jobs the illegals do if they were paid at least minimum wages, most of the construction,restaurant, and lower paying jobs are given to the illegals. how are our part of our younger generation suppose to live. i ask the roanoke newspaper to write stories about our hard working people in roanoke and turn the illegals in as the law states,i beleve that harboring them is an offense to your american readers!
Okay...they need to feed their families and well, I wouldn't want to be in Mexico either, but the social security numbers they are buying could be yours. There is already a problem with American Citizens finding out that an illegal alien is using their SS number and they have ruined credit and are unable to collect social security. The reason the newspaper will run stories like these is too encourage other illegals to come and work for little money. The problems that come with it are not small though and the US will be paying for this cheap labor. Our government should be finding ways to make Mexico a better place to live for their citizens so they would like to stay and work in their homeland.
Illegal aliens acquire social security benefits through the theft of American social security numbers, birth certificates, etc. The individuals, who have had their personal information stolen, are not notified or compensated. Nor do the illegal aliens feel remorse or responsibility for using this information to buy homes, iPods, or cars, or ruining the credit of victims. They only feel that they should not be questioned and allowed access to rights not afforded to American citizens.
Being a poor American is not, as represented by previous writers, the inability to buy an iPod or get a new car, or the related disappointment. Have a look around the country and our state. I do not think the 800 employees released from the furniture plants in Pulaski and Galax are worried about iPods or new cars, but rather making a living. They would most likely appreciate job opportunities in factories, etc., but now have to compete with illegal aliens. The Wall Street Journal article produced an article related to benefits to an African American community following the Swift raids. Swift was forced to offer $7 to $9/hr after the raids. I am sure the 10 or so thousand Citi bank employees who are being released aren't shopping for new cars or iPods, either. Hurricane Katrina showed us that there are millions of our American friends and families that are struggling with much more serious daily concerns than an iPod or new car.
Illegal aliens are neither migrants nor suffering poor. They seem to be able to earn large sums of money in order to sneak in to the US. The US has bestowed billions of dollars to Latin American countries for development. Check the US Agency for International Development, Inter-American Development Bank, and World Bank project and funding lists over the past decades. These countries have responsibility for their citizens. And the illegals are citizens of other nations. They have a political and economic agenda within US that is designed only for hispanics. It is not designed to benefit the multicultural American population, poor or other. I have only seen Latin American flags during their asinine marches. American citizens have fought for more than 200 years for their employment and economic rights. American’s rights should not be altered to accommodate illegal aliens. Again, their respective countries are responsible for their welfare. The US is struggling to provide health care and basic services to It’s citizens. Now we have to support leaches.
On the bright side, the “illegal alien as a benefit and indispensible“myth is cracking. Write your elected representative and demand interior enforcement as well as border enforcement. Boycott businesses using illegal aliens.
The American people in this country need to wake up...what would you do if you had to have your baby at home because you had to walk 1 day to the nearest hospital, what would you do if it was your family that was starving...one day it just might be you...we all benefit from the back breaking work that these so called illeagals do. They are the ones who provide food on your table, build your homes, clean your office buildings, landscape your 3rd million dollar lake vacation home. People come here and don't speak English...well I bet your ancestors when they come to this country didn't either. These people deserve our respect not hatred and ignorance. Viva La Raza Hispana
Since the beginning of times, man has migrated to wherever he could find food. People who have never had their children starve in a Third World country should refrain from passing on judgement. Not many of us mind the cheap labor which supports major industries of our economy (construction, food, cleaning, farming, manufacturing, etc.) or the billions of dollars paid into Social Security through the fake ids undocumented workers use to work, but cannot use to claim government benefits? Yet, we'd secretely rather not "see" them. Survival is a human right, not a crime. Maybe a little soul-searching wouldn't hurt us much.
Have been reading all the comments. Here in central Florida we have a bad time with people driving and killing people. They can't read the signs, they don't have insurance. Lord only knows where how they got a license if they even have one. My daughter was hit by a woman a few yrs back and the woman was driving her boyfriend's car, no insurance, no license. My daughter was six months along at the time. She had to see a doctor for over a year for her back being messed up from the accident. The woman and her boyfriend was here without a visa, no job, living on welfare etc. Needless to say my daughter had to pay for eveything, her vehicle to be fixed, her doctor and also had to miss work. Thank God the baby was okay when he was born.
I feel they need to stay in their own country until they can be legal. We should not have to keep paying them to be here.
Americans and those from Mexico are all individuals. Some are loud and obnoxious, some are hard workers, some are lazy, some are selfish, others are out to protect their families. You find so many different types of people in all communities in all nationalities. So to group them together is inaccurate. As a parent, I would do just about anything to provide my child with a fair chance for a better life than what many of those people experience in Mexico. Most Americans can criticize these illegal immigrants because they have never even lived one day close to what these people have lived for their entire lives in poverty. Here, we think being poor means we don't have a brand new car, but a lot of "poor" people have satellite TV and game systems for their kids. Many of these immigrants (illegal or not) are concerned in providing the basics for their children or families. They are not risking deportation and the hardships of the journey to the US to spend money on game systems, stereo equipment, and I-pods. Until we actually spend years working for next to nothing doing back breaking labor in Mexico, none of us have the right to judge these people.
I was at the DMV the other day to get a title for a boat trailer from South Carolina. Approximately three weeks ago an employee at the DMV told me to get a bill of sale (South Carolina does not license/title small trailers)vin number, etc. She said it did not have to be notarized (which I did "just in case"). Upon my second visit with all the information supposedly needed the DMV staff turned me down for a title saying "this trailer could be stolen". I think it is just great that this country/state will give titles to illegal immigrants and treat someone like me (descendant of founding fathers going back to year 1650 what is now Suffolk, Virgina) like a piece of trash. We reap what we sow. When we are just as "third world" as central and south america just look in the mirror.
I have enjoyed reading the series on Hispanics in the Roanoke Valley. I am also a Hispanic American; I moved here from Chicago in 1992 and cannot believe how much Roanoke has changed since I moved here. In the 14 years that I have lived here, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my neighbors and the community. It is great to know that we as Americans can welcome and accept the different cultures that are moving into the area almost daily.
I am so SICK AND TIRED of everybody speaking of the negatives. So what if they have come here illegally, those who have something to say should go to the countries and try to live and take care of your family for less than $9 A DAY. I know you couldn't better yet I know you wouldn't. I am proud of my raza. They are strong people who aren't afraid of hard work unlike most of the lazy americans. Think of it though they have a right to be here, there are eight states that were originally Mexico and as everyone has forgotten the Native American Indians were here first their land was stolen away by the white man who came here and claimed the land as theirs and oh my, that means they were immigrants then weren't they. So stop your crying and get over it. I myslef enjoy going into a store and hearing spanish its a romantic language. Instead of saying something about it try learning the language yourself. If you took the time to learn someting about those who are here you would learn they want the same things as you and that we all as human beings have alot in common. THE FOLLOWING IS FOR ROSA--there are alot of latin stores here in Roanoke there is one that is located on Williamson Rd called La Bodeguita Hispana near KFC and its a mini market I'm sure you will find all that you are looking for and if not they will be able to tell you where else you can go to find what you need I hope that helps you. VIVA LA RAZA
Legal immigrats are ok, but remember what the word ILLEGAL means, criminal, law breakers. I moved to Roanoke from a town close to Atlanta and all I can say to you "Coming to your Town". If this is not stopped then you might as well start speaking spanish and get a tank to drive cause they will run you over and keep on going.
Another thing why is the news paper here trying to make the illegals look like they are just trying to have a better life, when most are just making money to send home and they will go back in a few years themselves, they do not want to become America. Some even want to take America and give it to Mexico.
It's refreshing to read comments from people who are taking a stand to defend themselves and their city. In reading, Beth Macy's article this week, I see that it ended with a "Happily Ever After" theme. However, I can't help but wonder, where's is Child Protective Services in all this housing overcrowding? In my experience in the Social Work field, it's a violation for children to even share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex, if over a certain age. There's also a person to bedroom ration rule. So, what gives here? Are they excempt from that too? What about the "deaf child" sign, the "one way" sign or the "children playing" sign that they are driving around without a license and can't read? Don't forget, when they run through the stop sign and hit your car, and have no insurance, guess who's uninsured premium will be footing the bill-YOURS! YES! Us legal American's are angry over the "special treatment" and "empathy" that's plastered all over the paper for illegals in our community. I'm glad someone mentioned Frontier Apts. There's already been 1 murder there and if I remember correctly, wasn't that a communication problem involving -not speaking english?
I don't think the comments written here are fueled by hate, but by anger. Anger because American's are tired of the double standard. We legal citizens have to follow all the laws of the US and the illegal aliens seem to be exempt from those rules. This city has a serious problem with illegal aliens and absolutely nothing is being done about it. Let me give an example. A friend of mine went to court today for a speeding ticket and waited 3 hours to get her ticket resolved. Why? She said there were more than 25 Hispanic individuals receiving $25.00 fines for driving without a driver’s license. But the judge didn't even attempt to ask if they were legal or look at any documentation. They had to have interpreters to speak for them. This is wrong. This same person's daughter had to renew her driver's license and because of a ticket, she couldn't renew her license. Then when she got the ticket resolved she had to provide her birth certificate. Does anyone see my point here?
Lastly, if immigration officials went to Frontier Apartments they could clear the whole place out.
Roanoke wake up and take care of this rapidly growing problem. This is a wonderful country to live in, however come her legally. I work hard and so does my husband. We pay taxes, state, local and federal. We pay for insurance, life, health and car,the list goes on and on. However, we pay for the American dream the legal way.
By now you surely realize that the majority of your readers do NOT think illegal immigrants should be here. I don't understand why you continue to portray them as some kind of heroic people who are doing us a service. The old " they do jobs that Americans won't" has been disproven by the workers who lined up to take jobs they left when they were picked up by ICE.
I have a nephew who has laryngeal cancer but can't get financial aid because he made $400.00 too much last year. If he were an illegal he would get all of his treatment free compliments of the American tax payer. Is that fair?
I say legal immigrants welcome - illegals go home!
Wonderful, I have just sent all the attached pages to my group in Carpentersville, Illinois!
We have a group and we are trying to change the mood of live and let live. I have almost been hit at the intersection on my street 5 times in 5 weeks. They don't care for the laws! Never will, why should they, break the law, run back to Mexico or go to some other poor darn village that can't deal with it. Pass some laws, get on your congress persons back and stay there.
I have no problem with immigrants... most if not all of us fall into that category one way or another....
BUT... ILLEGAL IMIGRATION is WRONG.... I see no excuse.... and am disappointed that the Roanoke Times spent so much time on stories about Illegals... if you want to tell us about people who have legally come here and are working and trying to improve their lives you might do better than focus on illegals.. there are many immigrant groups in the Roanoke Valley [Somalian, Bosnian etc] who don't cause the disention and neighborhood issues that the illegal Hispanics are causing... WHY.. most of us accept that people have the right to come to this country for sanctuary or opportunities.. but we also expect that they will do so legally... Not simply by walking across a border to our south........
Not that you care, but don't expect me to be a subscriber or patron of your paper any longer... I am through with you patronization of Illegals.
So don't be surprised when "Leonardo" or someone else like him slams into your car at an intersection because he has no knowledge of driving regulations, can't read traffic signs etc., has no insurance to cover the damage to your car and possibly yourself. But wait. Your insurance can kick in and cover things. Why should the illegal "immigrant" have to pay for insurance when you already do?
Speaking from experience and I hate to say it, but the old "I told you so", will come into play in the future for those of you that support illegal immigrants moving into Roanoke. As you drive around Roanoke look around you, especially Williamson Rd and Hardy Rd in Vinton areas. Do you see an increasing amount of Hispanic stores opened up? Ask yourself, if they are coming over here with nothing, working in all these very low paying jobs, which the rest of us lazy roanokers won't work at, and sending everything that they earn back home, how can they possibly afford to open up all these stores? Gov't Grants, maybe? Which we help fund. It seems as if DMV isn't the only State Agency willing to bend the rules. How much red tape do you think the rest of us would have to go through to open up our own business or have the up-front money to do it? BB&T offers "easy", meaning little or no ID verification checking for them. Maybe, like DMV, getting a loan with a low paying job or no job is a breeze. But, maybe one day in the future you will get to be a neighbor to the 20 family members in one house and get angry when you can't find a place to park or have to put up with noise all night. I'd hate to say "I told you so." But, sometimes when you open up your heart and your community to anyone and everyone, chances are good that you'll have some regrets.
I read some of your comments about illegal mexicans working in your area.I dont know much about your area but I sometimes read the paper online because my son is living in Covington. He met a girl on the internet and moved there and when the relationship didnt work out, he decided to stay.He had more work there then he did in NY. He is learning disabled , not physically strong and went to a vocational school where he learned factory work.The day he obtained his own apt , he was laid off!My son is black and white. He says he now knows what a red neck is. He has been for interviews where theperson wouldnt shake his hand in disgust. Coming from NY,the melting pot, this behavior is rare. I understand that there is a high unemployment rate. Ilegal people are willing to work very hard, take the abuse from other workers and their boss, live in substandard conditions to survive.I dont see the unemployed so called americans lining up for those jobs. My son said he found such laziness there; they rather live with a girl who gets welfare for her kids then work because its minimum wage, and this is all races.There is just as many rowdy drunken white people piling into their pick up trucks in the walmart parking lot with their 12 packs of Buds than there are mexicans, who work harder to survive,and may need just the same to to remind themselves that they too can enjoy something more.
The point that is missed here is that IT is the IMMIGRANTS that discovered this country and developed this country and its on their backs that have made the average white of middle class America successful.
THANK YOU-J. GARVER! It seems as if the Roanoke Times is overlooking the rest of it's citizens who've had to make sacrafices and work hard to get ahead. And for the record, my comments are not by any means "hate motivated". But, here we go again with the "poor victim" mentality. Local citizens are simply fed-up with illegals CHOOSING to move on in to Roanoke ILLEGALLY. Then they want to whine about how hard they got it with low pay and long hours. Come on! Do us all a favor and put your story on the Lifetime Channel and keep it out of the paper that we read everyday. After all, if any of us do anything illegally, we have to pay the price of the consequences that come with it. Just so you know...A lot of us also live without Health Insurance because we can't afford it either.
I was recently offered a job in Roanoke, and so took to the internet to research the area.
Imagine my surprise at seeing the leading newspaper in the area aiding and abetting criminal activity. What I am referring to is the article about "Leonardo" in the "Land of Opportunity" series on the front page of the Times.
So now I'm wondering, if I take the job and move to the area and decide to sell drugs, will Mr Contreras be my front man? After all, I'm just trying to get ahead in life, and I hear selling drugs makes people a lot of money.
If I decide to go into the child porn business when I get there, will Mr Contreras hide my name from the police, as he has hidden the name of people in the article here illegally? After all, I'd just be trying to get ahead in life and make my life better.
One of the more galling issues about this particular article is that I made a trip to the DMV about two weeks ago as well. I recently retired from a 22 year career in the Air Force, having served my last three years overseas. Needless to say my license, issued in Virginia years ago, was expired. I was told that I would have to take the basic drivers exam, just as if I were 16 and getting my first license again. And I was also told that I needed a valid license in order to register my vehicle in VA. I now know that I don't need to do any of that "By the book" stuff. All I need do is to come by the Roanoke Times and get Mr Contreras to go to the DMV with me, and all will be good.
On a broader note, and I hope something like this never happens, but I wonder what Mr Contreras would have to say if "Leonardo", whom he helped stay under the radar of police detection by getting Virginia license plates for his vehicle, cruised by the "Children at Play" sign (that "Leonardo can't read) and ran over a young child? I wonder what he would feel knowing he contributed to something like that?
I must say I was gratified by most responses posted here, pointing out the fact to Mr Contreras that "Leonardo" is here illegally to begin with. Rules and laws seem to have less meaning to society today for some reason, at least with some people.
And for those sticking up for this law breaker and others like him, I highly suggest you do some research on the effects of illegal immigration, especially along the border states, where hospitals are going bankrupt and schools are headed downhill due to overcrowding by illegals.
Then ask yourself whether or not you want that here.
In 2004 alone, Virginia taxpayers spent an additional 453 million dollars on education for illegal immigrant children. Think that money could be used elsewhere? I do.
Legal immigrants - Welcome to America
Illegal immigrants - Go home
Reading these comments, I can't help but wonder:
Are these hate-motivated comments? We go from talking about illegal immigration to bashing personal lifestyles. For the record, is it "Legals vs. Illegals" or "U.S. vs. Mexico"?
Why are we here illegally?
Because Mexico sucks, and the process for entering the U.S. legally is worse than the process of getting tags, a bank loan and a single-parent adoption all wrapped up into one.
Here's a thought: FIX MEXICO!
We can send thousand of U.S. troops and billions of dollars to Iraq to "help" with their government, but we make no effort to fix the corruption in Mexico's government. If we fix, or "help" clean up Mexico's government, we wouldn't have to worry about so many people sneaking into the U.S.
If you think getting tags for your vehicle is time-consuming, costly, mind-numbingly meticulous and unforgivingly detail-dependent, you should try applying for permission to enter the United States from Mexico legally. At least you can get tags the same year you apply for them.
BUILD A BORDER WALL?
Yeah, right. Who do you think they're going to get to build it?!
You know, I dont know why some of you have to be so discriminating like you are. Most of the Mexicans that come from Mx illegally , come to basically get head in life. In their county , their president is the only rich one there and the people who work for him also. In there county the wage has been the same for many decades. There is no help there like their is here. If you want medical help,there you have to have money for forget it. Basically where it comes down to. Is that many illegals cross the border to have what they call a betterlife. For their children to grow up not in poverty. There are alot of people also from Asia,African and more other places. That also come illegally. Stop discriminating against mexicans. I think if they work , they should pay their taxes, our government needs to make some kind of plan to let them say and pay. It would cut alot of problems. Also not all criminals are from mx. That can be solved if the immigration here would take the time to THROUGHLY investigate anyone who wants to became a US citizen.
Jamie K. it sounds as if you haven't been around a lot of Blue Collar "American" workers. There are a LOT of American Males and Females working in HARD LABOR jobs with long hours and low pay! If workers are not paid fairly or discriminated against, there are laws to protect them. If Hispanics would come here LEGALLY, then they would be entitled to use those laws for their own benefit. Don't you realize they are hurting our labor market by showing employers they can get away with paying very low pay? Illegal Hispanics KNOW the hardships and obstacles they are up against when they CHOOSE to bring their butts over here. So STOP with the "poor victim" whining because there's a LOT of us law abiding hard workers, who don't feel one single bit sorry for them at all. Oh, and guess what, last year I worked a hard-labor day job from 5:30am to 6:30pm outdoors-in rain,snow,wind and heat, Then worked a second job from 9pm to 1am to support my family and pay my bills. I hardly saw my family but that's the SACRAFICES that I and many of my fellow American Citizens make everyday. Now's who's judging who?
It's funny, Leonardo says that he likes the order and the laws of this country, but he is breaking the law in order to get those benefits (go figure!), and no, the US dollar is not 10 times bigger than the Mexican Peso. An average house with 3 rooms in Roanoke cost $250,000.00, and the same house in Mexico cost $250,000.00 US dollars).
I definitely disagree with illegal immigration, I am an immigrant myself, but being in line for 20 years until I meet all the requirements. They said: "your ancestors immigrated to this country, so why we can not do it"? well, if that would be the case, why we don't chose the piece of land that we want, as our ancestors did it before?
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and the reporter should be commended for doing such a good job. I have lived as an american in other countries where i didn't speak the language and could not hold a job...even as a volunteer... becuz i was not a citizen of that country....(only my hsb. had a work visa)...its very, very hard to not understand the conversations going on around you and to be viewed with suspicion just because you are a foreigner, even if you are legal....i now have neighbours who only speak spanish or who speak very little english and i try to speak to them with the little spanish i have learned and to be kind and helpful when possible...i understand that perhaps they do things differently in their culture and that different does not mean "bad"....one of the things that really struck me was how hard these people work and how they are willing to live on a poverty level in order to send money back to their families...how much they sacrifice to make the lives of the ones they love better.....
in one of the earlier responses someone said that at least our ancestors came over LEGALLY......when the europeans who first came here to become the first (white) americans there were no laws about legal or illegal immigration and these ancestors proceeded to just take over what lands they wanted and kill off the people who were already here! let's not be silly! i remember when my state achieved statehood......and the history of the white americans who killed the local natives to achieve their goals for their own economic prosperity, not that of the locals....and lets not forget how these same ancestors imported people from other countries to do their scut work, (i.e.importing chinese laborers to build their railroads becuz they did not want to do it themselves).....most of the hispanics in this area are not taking jobs that americans want...if american citizens were willing to work at these jobs for low pay and long hrs, & 6 & 7 day work weeks, then no one would be hiring foreigners for these jobs....i think we need to reassess our own values and priorities before we judge others....do you want to work 7-10 days in a row, 10+ hours each day and minimum or close to it wages??
Woudn't it be interesting to hear DMV explain themselves on this one? I vote to send reporters to DMV and demand an explanation! Better yet, I think us legal drivers should show up with the article in hand and ask why we get harrassed with nitpicky forms and questions and threatened with suspending our license if we fail to notify them that we switched insurance carriers.
This country was founded by immigrants, but there is a major difference between the immigrants who founded this wonderful country and the illegal aliens entering now. At least our founding fathers came here LEGALLY!
If you would like to come to our country I agree whole-heartedly that you should be able to, if you follow the proper procedures. The illegal aliens now come over to our country and deplete our resources while they send most of their earnings back to Mexico. They are to blame for this, but there should also be blame placed on the employers that hire them to work and the landlords who allow them to rent.
I am glad that the Roanoke Times chose to showcase this situation and how even our government run Department of Motor Vehicles is enabling these illegal aliens. Perhaps a follow up article should be included in the days to come with ways to stop perpetuating the never-ending sea of illegal aliens coming into our country and our own backyards. If this continues we will no longer be known as the United States of America, but Mexico Norte.
In response to the comment of Ray Garcia; I do respect your opinions and your views. So, I hope you will do the same. Yes, I do pay taxes to the gov't and to hire interpreters to train our police,rescue,teachers and employers to speak Spanish. And I do eat at mexican restaurants, only because I love mexican food, even though a past newspaper article pointed out that by doing so, We LEGAL citizens are helping to support their families and helping them move their family members here. Which is fine IF they do it legally. HOWEVER, what infuriates others and myself in the Roanoke Valley are articles such as this one that makes us question why we have to abide by laws and they don't. Is that right? I waited at DMV for over an hour with a signed, legal, bill of sale and was turned away because a box wasn't checked! Yet, they can drive license and insurance free. And this other crap of they're here to do the jobs that "we won't do"! Whatever. I did roofing and hard labor construction for 12 years, worked cleaning out fecal in dog kennels and worked in 2 poultry plants alongside americans, mexicans, asians, ect. And the employers who train them are guess what, Americans.. who have been "doing that job!" So, do you understand the hostility from the community? We abide by the laws, pay taxes, work in hard jobs. Yet, the medias message is that "we are all lazy" and therefore we should "welcome illegals with open arms" so they can help us useless people out! Now, they are permitted to break all kinds of laws and drive on our roads when they can't even read the road signs. That's dangerous! Shame on DMV and the media for glorifying criminal behavior. As for the partying, I respect my neighbors enough to not have 20-30 people at my house-partying or having 10 of my family members grouped together, living with me with 4plus cars, taking up other people parking spaces. If they want respect then they should earn it....LEGALLY.
As I read the recent newspaper article, "Far From Home", I'm sitting here wondering why is this man DRIVING an automobile on our roads with no driver's license; why is this man driving an automobile on our roads with NO insurance; why is this man driving on our roads when he can't even speak or read English (do road signs mean anything??). What happens to the law-abiding citizen when "Leonardo" has an accident with the car he isn't supposed to be driving because he has no license and insurance? Who is going to pay for those damages? What if he kills someone driving that automobile? Since he is illegal, who is going to pay HIS hospital bills? Why, of course, it's the law-abiding AMERICAN citizen!! Duh! So according to this article in The Roanoke Times, Leonardo will be driving ILLEGALLY until Christmastime 2008!!! Where are the authorities on this one? I think it's time to quit 'playing nice' and send these people back to Mexico. Why is The Roanoke Times trying to play the sympathy card with this guy? Where are the immigration authorities? Why wasn't a red flag raised at the DMV when a non-English speaking/reading person tries to get tags and is asked for a social security card (none), a driver's license (none), form of identification (none). They should have hauled his butt off then and shipped him back to Mexico!
I can understand the way people fell about illegal alian's in this country, but I am also an alian to, with a resident card or you can call it a green card if you like. But I dont have any proble with them coming to work here, and do the job's that regular americans do not want. I do think that they should learn how to speak englesh so that they can comunicate with other people, and to better themself's, and to Mr Hill, I have seen regular american's also getting out of their cars with 12pack's of beer. and how have you help any of them out. Just couse you pay tax'ex, face the fact that you still have to pay tax'ex ether way, just like I do. Mr Hill I respect your thoughts like I know you will respect mine, just keep in mind that they also have to raise a family just like us
As i read your story again on Leonardo I was feeling good about the young man trying to do whats right.but as I read it again and again I was shocked by the fact that DMV would issue tags
to a person who says to them that they do not have a valid Virginia license.but want plates to put on a automobile.It does not make since that the DMV would issue tags knowing that the person
does not have valid Virginia license it appears
to me that the young man plans to drive the car
even thou he has not permit as a american citizen
they would be prepared to lock me up if I attemped to get plates for a car .if I didnt have a valid Virginia license If he has no license am sure he doesnt have insurance on that car
I'm so tired of hearing about these illegals and how our community is "helping them out" and bending over backwards to conform to "their" language. When I lived in Harrisonburg, groups of them lived in one house. They were very loud and inconsiderate. Last week, driving on Tazwell Ave there was a house with 20-30 hispanics ON THE PORCH partying and more of them getting out of their cars with 12pks of beer. I'm sure the neighbors were not happy. What a way to repay us nice people for helping them out! Why doesn't anyone have the backbone to report on what their presence is doing to our neighborhoods?
After working several months now at a company that recently started hiring hispanics I can rightly say that the american worker is being pushed aside.Employers states that the hispanic worker works faster then the american worker which basically is correct but what they're not saying is that their fast work is sloppy and it takes the american worker to come in behind them straighten out their messes.When there is a mess the trainer is sent to see what has happened and he or she(maybe) tells the hispanic workers what has accurred whereas the hispanic workers should had been brought to that particular place to see for theirselves what had transpired and then they would maybe understand better and may not repeat the mistake.At this business it is okay for the hispanics to walk around with their cellphones texting messages and go to breaks early whereas the american worker would be giving a write up for doing the same thing.When the american worker at this company either quit or fired they will not be rehired for six months to a year but with the hispanic worker if they are fired or quit they get rehired within 2 weeks.99.80 percent of the hispanic worker does not soeak any english and a very few speeaks little english.Human resources say they are a godsend but what human resourese needs to do is to come out in the department on all shifts for a couple days and work amoung them and see for themselves what is transpiring.As for the english classes that is supposed to be given what company is going to willing to lose time and money to give these classes that is a big expense.
I think it is sad I feel for the woman like her I got two boys.And I would worry about them like she is worry.I will pray for her and her son.I live in Mexico for 16 yr .I know what they go through I use to see them trying to get cross the border by water all the time.It was so sad to see them I know they can get a better life here.mary
i think that this story is so sad, i can understand how bad she can feel i also can understand how bad the U.S/mexican border can be. I think that even though that she is an illegal immigrant she should be able to look for her son without he her having to risk being sent back to honduras. The government doesnt understand how bad these other countries may be and they try to send them back when all they want is a new life for them and their children. If nohemi's story is in the newspapers isnt that putting her at risk for being sent back? this paper is sent to all of roanoke and it can cause some trouble because it tells the government exactly where she lives and her name, it releases too much of her information and also if her story spreads south, west or north who knows maybe her son can find her or someone will come to her with more info about her son I am really sorry and i hope that she finds him soon!
I appreciate the story, however it gives a mixed signal to the good folks in VA. The hiring of illegals by companies is a crime. The commnet that they will do twice much work is a insult to all American workers. The fight by unions and other labour organizations in the past has earned the Amercian worker the benifits we have now. Hiring illegals, treats them like scabs who will work for anything. Blame the Mexican government and other South American nations for these peoples problems. In the future when the emergency room closes at your local hospital don't blame the county. Blame the people who support illegal immergration and the illegals who fail to pay there fair share of the bill.
In a recent post, Miriah Persinger de Matos referred to those opposed to illegal immigration as "one of the many uneducated bigots".
How dare he/she accuse the people of this region of bigotry. I resent such comments directed at people who worked in fields, mines, factories, construction, health care, etc. for "many" generations before the illegal alien invasion. It is clear that illegal aliens and their supporters have no respect for the US, or the communities they invade.
Southwestern Virginias, as well as legal Americans, work hard and take care of our families, pay taxes, and our health care. I am tired of illegal aliens and their supports ostracizing, misrepresenting, and discriminating against American citizens. American citizens, who pay the health and other costs which illegal aliens take with a smug smile.
Have you noticed that the people who object the most to Spanish speaking immigrants, don't know how to spell, punctuate, or capitalize in English? !! And just because you hear someone speaking in Spanish does not mean they can't speak or understand English. If you go to a foreign country with others from America, even if you can speak the language of that country, you will probably speak to your friends and family in English. And it is not only Spanish that I hear when I am shopping or eating out, I hear many other languages being spoken by the people around me. Most of those you hear out there are legal, and if they aren't you would never know it by the way they act, walk, talk, or the music they listen to! If they could support their families in their own countries, they probably would not be here, and if they could get here legally, they wouldn't be illegal. No one wants to be an illegal! That is not a desire, it is sometimes a necessary evil so you don't have to watch your children starve to death or die because they can't get health care. You bigots out there need to grow a heart!
Posted by: Darlene | January 26, 2008 2:32 PM