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Analysis shows more jobs going to Americans, unemployed immigrants leaving Florida

— It’s like an immigration critic’s fantasy.

Jobs previously held by foreign-born workers are being snatched up by natives. Immigrant workers are leaving the state or returning to their home countries. And, for the first time since roughly 2004, the unemployment rate nationally among immigrant workers may be higher than for native workers.

Those conclusions are based on an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from the first quarter of this year published by a Washington, D.C.-based think tank and observations made by Southwest Florida officials close to the immigrant work force.

Some of the local officials were surprised to hear the unemployment rate may have been lower among immigrants during the recent past, a conclusion of the think tank’s report.

Others, though, are guessing at why it has increased. Aside from blaming the unemployment on the decline in construction industry jobs, they said native workers now are more willing to accept low-paying jobs that immigrants were more likely to take prior to the recession.

“Now, people will take any job,” said Vann Ellison, president of the nonprofit St. Matthew’s House, which operates a homeless shelter in Immokalee.

St. Matthew’s House helps homeless individuals, among them foreign-born workers, find jobs.

Ellison said the task has gotten more difficult for all homeless workers as native worker expectations have changed.

“A lot of Americans have the expectation that they will find a good job, and if it’s not the job to our pleasing we are more confident to keep looking. I think with this economy the way it is, everybody is a lot more motivated,” Ellison said.

Released in April, the analysis was published by the Center for Immigration Studies, which operates under a “pro-immigrant, low-immigration vision which seeks fewer immigrants but a warmer welcome for those admitted,” its Web site says.

The center’s authors analyzed data collected during the Census Bureau’s anonymous current population surveys, which are conducted on 50,000 households every month.

For use in the report, “immigrant” was defined as someone who is not a U.S.-born citizen. In other words, the report didn’t just target illegal aliens.

Visa-holders with college degrees, political refugees, those who have gone through the naturalization process and others are all finding it more difficult to land jobs, even when compared to their U.S.-born peers, according to the report.

Allegra Belliard, program director at Catholic Charities of Collier County, didn’t need a report to know the situation has changed.

Her organization helps hundreds of legal, documented political refugees assimilate to American culture under an agreement with the U.S. Department of State.

A year ago, Belliard said the organization would place 24 clients a month in jobs. Now, the average is 14, she said.

“We’re seeing it first-hand,” Belliard said. “It’s very hard for employers to place them in jobs. One of the reasons we are seeing this is that now they have a large pool of applicants. They are hiring people who speak English fluently.”

Steven A. Camarota, one of the authors of the report, said the data doesn’t draw any definitive conclusions as to why immigrants have been hit harder by the recession than natives.

“I think it’s partly they are more concentrated in sectors of the economy more hit by the recession,” Camarota said, alluding to the construction industry, among others. “They may be somewhat less productive employees, so they are more likely to get laid off. Their language skills might be weaker, so they screw up the order at McDonald’s. They may have their degree from a foreign university. I don’t think we know exactly.”

In Florida, the unemployment rate is slightly better for immigrants and worse for natives than it is nationally, according to the report.

However, the analysis is complicated by an apparent large decrease in the number of immigrant workers living in the state.

During the first quarter of 2009, the report found a national unemployment rate of 8.6 percent for natives, 9.7 percent for immigrants. In Florida, though, the native unemployment rate was a point higher, at 9.6 percent, and slightly lower for immigrants, at 9.3 percent.

However, about 153,000 Florida immigrant workers appear to have lost jobs and left the state or the country in the last two years, as Camarota said the data suggests.

This 7 percent decline, of course, would decrease the recession’s effect on immigrant unemployment in Florida.

Dennis Aldana wasn’t surprised at the data suggesting immigrant workers have left Florida. He owns Maya Travel, a Fort Myers-based company that helped arrange travel and money transfers for mostly foreign-born workers during the past 14 years.

“I’ve definitely seen a lot of people packing up and leaving to where the economy is better,” Aldana said.

Aldana said when the labor-driven Florida economy entered the recession, immigrant workers began moving to other states and “some of them have given up and just gone home.”

He adds, though: “When the economy turns around, they’ll be back, especially since they’ve already been here.”

* * * * *

RELATED LINKS

http://norris.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/long-term-unemployment-rate-hits-record/?hp

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/06/04/2009-06-04_finally_a_national_push_for_immigration_reform.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/05/AR2009060503453.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Comments

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I wonder how many immigrants work at the think tank?

#1 Posted by swampbuggy on June 6, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any job currently being held by a non-citizen in this country should be given to a citizen of the United States if a qualified person can be found. Times have changed and it calls for tough decisions. Business owners should be hiring fellow Americans over aliens I feel in our current economic "slump".

#2 Posted by goodview on June 6, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Americans first.........it is time Business people wake up and hire tax paying Americans. So many immigrant workers send all their salry back to their native land. We need the money to stay right here.

#3 Posted by Bagpiper on June 6, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

are they "immigrants" or ILLEGALS that you're referring to here? I just want to make sure. There is a HUGE difference. My great grandparents were IMMIGRANTS (went through Ellis). Some people I see working in construction where I live are ILLEGALS...meaning they came here without permission. See the difference NDN?

#4 Posted by FreshFace on June 6, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Give one for Bush. He did fix the immigration problem.

#5 Posted by upagain on June 6, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are exactly right. There is a huge difference between the two terms. Most of us are decendents of immigrants. There are way too many illegals in this country. Thank goodness ICE has started cracking down on business's who hire them. Now if they would just seal the border!

#6 Posted by vyger on June 6, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's the good ol' boy American small businessmen who hire illegal immigrants so they can save money. So who is the bad guy in that scenario?

#7 Posted by Keats on June 6, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It will be nice to see Americans finely doing some of the glamorous,well paid,exciting jobs that immigrants do like working in the fields,packing houses,cleaning toilets and dirty bathtubs,changing stained sheets for tourist in hotel rooms. Cleaning germ and virus infected hospitals and so on.

Yippie we have our jobs back!!!

#8 Posted by sock_puppet on June 6, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Be careful what you ask for.

Kraft would have to raise the prices on all the govt. jobs they have.

;-)

#9 Posted by Opti_Pess on June 6, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

American companies have to stay competitive and they have to hire the best workers, regardeless of race, religion, sex or nationality.

The best way to handle this economic crisis is to go back to school for new skills and become more innovative and creative. With this kind of this discrimination, the problem will be worst because the system will leave away smart people who can add values to the economy..

#10 Posted by bowen on June 6, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't ACORN controlling the census numbers?

If they're involved NOTHING is believeable.

#11 Posted by okay on June 6, 2009 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have personally seen more legal, hard working Americans, working jobs now that were previously done by Hispanics. This includes yard work, construction, ect.

I am not saying that Hispanics are lower on the food chain, just that times have changed, and that we, as Americans, have FINALLY realized that we must get our hands dirty to make a living.

I speak from experience.

#12 Posted by Opinionated on June 6, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

YAHOOOOO!

#13 Posted by Native on June 6, 2009 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#11, You are partly correct. My guess is they are paving the way for legislation later this year regarding immigration reform.

#8, makes you wonder how we ever managed to get along without them for almost 200 years.

#7, it is also the homeowners who want to save a buck so they can flaunt a little more.

#14 Posted by islandman4now on June 6, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#14, ACORN will fudge the census numbers as needed to conform to what the administration needs for the public to believe in order to legalize MORE illegal aliens than we're being told there are.

Legalizing illegal aliens is important to Obama because they're easily led - they'll believe anything they're told to believe.

Plus, ANYTHING is better than the crap countries they come from, so they THINK this is as good as it gets - they have no clue that they're being sold a second-rate fantasy world spinning quickly toward the standards of living they fled from.

#15 Posted by okay on June 6, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw this happening a few months ago.
The Uhaul trucks are leaving weekly too. More than I've seen in the 12 years I've been here.

#16 Posted by ceilinaples on June 6, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Aw shucks

Maybe I can read them some Torah as they leave town. Most are Catholics so they're sure to enjoy some lessons in truth and law.

Come get some while you can

#17 Posted by torah101 on June 6, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This appears to be a misrepresentation of the facts, clearly minimizing the results to put forth a "what we are doing is working and very effective" approach.

It's the economy, stupid.

#18 Posted by Vapur9 on June 7, 2009 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dem. Harry Reid said last Thursday that he will fix that problem with a massive amnesty push, some say this session. Then they can get food stamps and welfare and so jobs won't matter.

Get ready cause here it comes! If it happens, say goodbye to whats left of America.

#19 Posted by almostdone on June 7, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

#4 and #6- I agree. I'm always concerned when illegal citizens are mistaken for all immigrants or all Hispanics. Many people in our community mistakenly believe that all Hispanics are here illegally. Many are legal residents and/or U.S. citizens and pay taxes like all of us.

That being said, I am glad to hear that U.S. citizens are filling all available jobs. People need to be less picky in a time of need and that seems to be what is happening here.

#20 Posted by nessz79 on June 7, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's sickening to see the bigotry and racism in some of these comments. Oh, I'm sorry; just saw the note saying this is the area for low-IQ commenters! So, fire away, you pitiful, ignorant creeps.

#21 Posted by catperson on June 7, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

nessz79, this might have something to do with our perceptions of the legal status of latinos......

"Of the 135,000 Mexican immigrants who arrived in Illinois from 2000 to 2006, roughly 51 percent are believed to be in the U.S. illegally, according to the Council on Global Affairs report."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/lo...

When over HALF of them ARE illegal, our common sense tells us that of every 10 latinos we see, at LEAST 5 of them ARE illegal - why blame it on us?

We have no obligation to assume that people are LEGALLY in this country. We don't OWE anyone the benefit of the doubt, considering the massive numbers we're dealing with.

The lowball figures are 12-20 million. Most people agree that the numbers are much higher (20-40 million).

How do you feel that we are about to accept as many people as live in Mexico City to legalize as citizens? Is that acceptable to you?

#22 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is a very good time for any business to replace those employees with bad attitudes and poor customer service skills with any Americans who are able to do the job better, appreciate the job, and can speak our language. For example, the Coastland Publix reeks of poor customer service yet continues to hang on to the bad employees responsible. Many of these bad employees are foreign-born who seem to hate their jobs. There are too many good people wanting a job for a business to tolerate this.

#23 Posted by TheBatman on June 7, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's spend money to save money...fix Mexico into something nice! Make it a world vacation destination. They have the climate and lands for it. The Mexicans would like their country and stay there, as a result.

#24 Posted by babbas on June 7, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's some bigotry for catperson.... You are as big of a lonely "catperson" bigot there is, just by the comment you made tells your complete hypocritical bio.

BTW...Will the last illegal Mexican leaving, please take the labamba music with them!

P.S. Go pet your kitty, you'll feel better ;)

#25 Posted by BigDogRanch on June 7, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Fix" Mexico?

Hilarious. It's their PEOPLE who need "fixing" not their natural resources.

The Mexican "climate and lands" are wasted in the hands of 3rd world despots and an ignorant populace.

#26 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dog, don't waste your time with catperson, her blog name says it all, living alone with a bunch of cats for company, occasionally rearing her ugly head to spew comments at bloggers while having not yet read all the comments posted.

okay, I agree, it's Mexico's corrupt Government that needs fixing, for it has filtered down to some of the people.

#27 Posted by Opinionated on June 7, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You take a trip to sweet bay or winn dixie in or any other store in golden ghetto and you'll see no decline in illegal leeches. The wic and welfare checks flow in golden ghetto.
The streets are inundated with illegals with their anchor babies.
if they're getting something free they are not leaving. Check the arrest report on ccso site and the numbers are astonishing.
20 million third world leeches here illegally and 100 go home and they're printing mass exodus.

#28 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see bigdogcrap is in usual form today...lol! You get'em tiger.

#29 Posted by thedudesview on June 7, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some random thoughts:

1. The whole world is "re-pricing". We've seen it with homes. We're seeing it with TVs, milk and innumerous other products. Not gasoline unfortunately but at least it came off of $4/gal. When an average American wage can not afford $4k for 42 inch HD TV, prices will come down until they can afford it. Supply and demand.

2. "The analysis was published by the Center for Immigration Studies, which operates under a “pro-immigrant, low-immigration vision which seeks fewer immigrants but a warmer welcome for those admitted,” its Web site says." Give me a break and let's not be disingenuous with this study. Neither the study's authors nor the NDN tell us what percentage of legal immigrants are being included in the total of immigrants! Wonder why? Want to bet it is a very insignificant number but they're not telling us for a very specific reason?

3. I have enthusiastically supported St. Matthews House in the past. I am not so certain now. It is one thing to compassionately house/clothe/feed those who need it. In my mind it is entirely different to use my donations to illegally procure jobs for illegal aliens knowing they are illegal, not paying/underpaying US taxes and over utilizing US services that they have not paid for. A compelling argument supporting this thought: can ANYONE imagine a service like this for illegal Americans in Mexico/Columbia/Haiti? The owners of such a service would be arrested and jailed by state police officials.

4. Where are all those who state American’s won’t do menial labor. It was a crock before and still is now. With less illegals doing work for peanuts, the work will pay more and the economy will adjust. On the one hand, it is disconcerting that business owners will hire workers here illegally but not surprising. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That they are not being prosecuted is a fx of an overly liberal society and graft to look the other way.

5. I do not believe any of my thoughts above are racist in the least. They mostly are facts and some opinion. Again, if we were in Mexico, Germany, Japan or any other country without proper documentation, we would be arrested, probably fined heavily and deported immediately. Why are we bad/racist when we even "discuss" doing the same here in the US???

#30 Posted by naplesregular on June 7, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very soon, I predict, teaching jobs in CCPS will be up for grabs. Maybe as soon as tomorrow, Monday--Ms. LaBute's deadline for the union response to her absurd negotiation offer to teachers.

Anyone not willing to be a slave, work hard for almost nothing, allow the "right to work State of Florida" to emasculate the workers, be willing to practice _osculum infame_ and other forms of self-abnegation for his/ her principals and other administrators whenever they ask for it--will resign.

Of course the requirements for background checks, the loyalty oath, diplomas, certification and endorsements must be changed.

If they don't change, public schooling in Florida will disintegrate.

If they do, currently unemployed immigrants will enjoy a new opportunity.

The rest of us will apply for WIC, food stamps, unemployment and lodging at St. Matthew's.

Maybe we could emigrate to Mexico, or Cuba? I hope the Mexican drug lords and Cuban communists treat us better than Colonel Thompson does.

I wonder if all West Point graduates are flint-skinned mean people. Or maybe it's just the folks who write in to the Comments section of the NDN about teachers, unions, and "illegals."

#31 Posted by dwyerj1 on June 7, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thedudesview and others like him are worried they won't get there yard moved cheap or their veggies will go up. They care nothing about the Billions us tax payers pay for there anchor babies, wic, hospital etc.
You don't see thedudesview or other liberals walking around with a grant amnesty for illegals t-shirt because they don't have the guts instead they post here their idiotic views and spew garbage.
I proudly have Illegals Aliens Suck bumper sticker on my truck.

#32 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We cannot fight for freedom, democracy, and free market around the world and pratice discrimination against minorities in our own homeland.

That's what we call hypocrisy.

#33 Posted by bowen on June 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Personally, I have not seen up North that a lot of service jobs held by those white people (whom you think should get the jobs first since they were "born in the U.S.A") has resulted in better, friendlier better service. Surly plumbers, electricians who don't show up, clerks at Home Depot and Lowe's who run the other way if you approach with a question, and fast food orders that are constantly filled incorrectly are the norm. That's what I see.

In Naples I see hard working Hispanics building houses (even having to work on Sundays), taking care of yards, and raising and harvesting our produce without complaint and with gratitude.

So for all of you who think you are something special because you were born in the Florida area or the US (a happenstance), or who think that your biases and bigotry are justifiable...do us all a favor and keep your close-minded opinions to yourself.. Self-styled "rednecks" are a vanishing breed...thank goodness.

#34 Posted by honeybee on June 7, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you know things are bad when white people are willing to clean their own toilets.

#35 Posted by belern on June 7, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, this is good news for a change. Maybe if Florida would pass an Illegal Immigration Law, you could get rid of all the ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Our Country will never be the same as long as ILLEGAL ALIENS are destroying it. ILLEGAL ALIENS have no right to be in this Country.

#36 Posted by Delawarebob on June 7, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

grouper25 -- you have my view wrong on this subject. My comment to dog was an inside joke.

#37 Posted by thedudesview on June 7, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

btw, not every latino is mexican. idiots.

from wikipedia:
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages (i.e., those derived from Latin) – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken.

Latin America has an area of approximately (7,880,000 sq mi), or almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface. As of 2008, its population was estimated at more than 569 million.

There are 30 different countries. The peoples of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Uruguay are mostly white.

you hicks needs to gets an ejamacation. lmao. idiots.

#38 Posted by belern on June 7, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mexicans just happen to be the worst offenders of U.S. law, other latinos are following a close second.

Apparently, stating the obvious is necessary for certain commenters to understand some of the points being made here.

They must live in a constant state of denial.

#39 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Got'er dude...lol!!!

#40 Posted by BigDogRanch on June 7, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry thedudesview my mistake I apologize sincerely.

#41 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

got nothing.
mexico happens to be the biggest country, hence the largest population, hence the largest number of hispanics in the u.s.
my point is geered towards the bigots on here that see every spanish speaking person as non-white or illegal.

just because someone choses to speak spanish does not make them illegal.

there are many hispanics born and raised in this country, whose parents and grandparents are legal immigrants. they have just chosen to honor their heritage and remain true to their ancestry.

your closed minds and refusal to acknowledge the worth of other human beings will continue to be what drives this country further down the path of destruction.

this country was built on faith and tolerance, where's yours?

#42 Posted by belern on June 7, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Post 28 by grouper25: You got it right. A few illegals leave and the media calls it mass exodus. They are setting you up to legalize those who remain.

#43 Posted by TheBatman on June 7, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks to all who understand Illegals vs Immigrants. If you come here legally, welcome and good luck. If your here illegally, you don't really exist, so why are tax dollars feeding your non-existent self. How can you hire something that does not exist.

Where did all the illegals go??? Try jail. Free room, free food and they can sodomize each other.

#44 Posted by illegals_must_go on June 7, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pew Center for Hispanic Studies calims that 8 million illegals hold jobs in the U.S.

There are 11 million US citizens and legal residents looking for work. Does this make sense? Shall we keep rewarding people who are in this country illegally, stealing citizenship, jobs and housing? Eight years after 9/11 our borders are still wide open, Real ID's have yet to be universal.

#45 Posted by Bramble on June 7, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey Belern here's one of the requirments to be a us citizen.
This requirement for an ability to read, write, and speak English is not regarded as too difficult, since the test requires that applicants read and write in English.applicants must also have a working knowledge of the English language.
Now as far as I'm concerned if they don't speakie English they didn't past the test. Now i'm speaking of the one's president carter to Clinton let in. The 20 million other illegals need to be sent back with a boot in their %^s its the american way

#46 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My "tolerance" was spent after the FIRST million or so illegal aliens.

I don't OWE ANYONE "tolerance" for disrespecting my country and fellow citizens.

Latinos who "chose to honor their heritage" by aiding and abetting their illegal familia y amigos in breaking the law are "worthLESS" members of our society, IMO - they're not assets to our community, nor do they contribute to the good of all of society with their biased view of the U.S.

#47 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grouper - speaking spanish doesn't mean you don't also speak english. some even speak a third or fourth language, unlike most "americans".

my point is that just because a person speaks spanish that does not automatically make them an illegal. that's all. when you hear someone speaking spanish don't assume they don't speak english. try to be a little more open-minded.

and bramble, those terrorist that killed 3000 people came here on valid tourist and student visas. the visas expired and they stayed. the problem is that immigration officers are too busy picking up people driving with expired licenses instead of following up on those cases. get the facts and stop the hate.

#48 Posted by belern on June 7, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We just had to put up a privacy fence in our backyard because of the illegal roaches we have as neighbors. They've trashed the backyard of the house they're renting, and use the yard as a dumping ground for all the broken refrigerators and washing machines they collect to sell to pay the rent.
If the illegal roaches want to trash property, they should go back to the 7,880,000 square miles of property in their own countries and leave ours alone!

#49 Posted by just_makin_it on June 7, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

excellent post okay. I'm tired of listening to the democrats (doesn't ted kennedy make you want to throw up)mslsd and the other liberal media, even geraldo on fox crying for amnesty and how they are just coming over to feed their families negating the fact they're draining the coffers of state and federal budgets.
they don't bother to mentioned 24 Americans a day are murdered or killed by an illegal or the 100's of thousands that are in jail not counting the millions that are here committing crimes they haven't been caught at.
wait till belern has one in his family raped or murdered by an illegal dirt bag.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- While 3-year-old Evelyn was being brutally raped and killed in her bed early Saturday morning, her 5-year-old brother pretended to be asleep. By playing possum, he was able to give police information that helped lead to the swift arrest of a suspect in his sister's death, according to South Sioux City Police Chief Scott Ford.

Ford said his department is still waiting for autopsy and test results. Getting DNA information could take several weeks.

The suspect, Malecio Camacho, also known as De Jesus Melisio-Camacho, 29, was transferred Wednesday morning from the Dakota County Jail in South Sioux City to the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln because inmates at the jail had threatened his safety, jail Administrator Terry Kern said.

Camacho is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree sexual assault of a child and burglary. He is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, and a lawyer from the Commission for Public Advocacy was appointed to represent him. Kern said Camacho had been visited in jail by a representative of the Mexican consulate in Omaha but could not say what they discussed.

Spokesman Tim Counts of the Homeland Security Department's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said agents have determined that Camacho mostly likely is in the country illegally.

#50 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The latino community is well aware of who among them is, and is not supposed to be in our country, yet THEY have decided for the rest of us that because of THEIR acceptance of illegal aliens, that WE should accept them too. They feel that it's their right to chose for the rest of us, who belongs and does not belong here. It's the pinnacle of audacity, then they wonder why they're despised by so many Americans.

Read on.......

Relatives of slain Posen toddler Yvette Palacios today were trying to come to terms with news that her baby-sitter's boyfriend has been charged with her murder.

Juan Melendez-Reynoso, 31, was charged last week with smothering 22-month-old Yvette with a dirty diaper in a fit of rage at his home May 24.

"He was angry that she'd soiled herself so he suffocated her with the diaper," Det. Sgt. Bob Quirk said.

Melendez-Reynoso, an illegal-immigrant who is considered a flight risk, was denied bond by Cook County Judge Edward Antonietti at the Markham Courthouse Saturday, said Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/20...

#51 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, going back to your post #22. First of all, I have already had this conversation with you in a previous story. However, in case you forgot, not every Hispanic is from Mexico, nor from Cuba. Some are from other Latin countries (there are many others, though few seem to realize this). Many are very well-educated, come legally, and work hard. And no, these are not anchor babies. No, they do not harbor illegal aliens, nor do they help illegal aliens come here illegally. They are just U.S. citizens that have Hispanic roots.

I reiterate my concerns with some people generalizing all Hispanics with being illegal aliens. Again, many are U.S. citizens paying their taxes, working to support their families.

#52 Posted by nessz79 on June 7, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay in post 51 that baby would be alive today if the government and state and local police would do there job. and also if the baby's parents wouldn't have hired an illegal alien. STOP HIRING ILLEGALS!

#53 Posted by grouper25 on June 7, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama must secure the boarders. All illegals must go. If you pay taxes you can work here. California gave it all to the illegals and now their fourty two Billion in the hole. ICE-get em all.

#54 Posted by meister on June 7, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe catperson is mad because their illegal alien lawn guy, who worked for slave wages,left to find a better paying job,like dscraping bird doodoo off statues in the park.

#55 Posted by countrygirl on June 7, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! I just read some of catpersons old posts...

This girl has ISSUES!!!

#56 Posted by Opinionated on June 7, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you were not BORN in the United States or have a VALID Passport/Visa, get the hell out.

#57 Posted by Max_Headroom on June 7, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's human nature to generalize, especially when the generalizations are accurate.

Sorry to break it to you nessz79, but until people see proof that our generalizations are NOT accurate, folks will generalize whether you like it or not.

Just because you happen to know a FEW who are legal, you seem to think that others don't have the right to protest those who are not.

Aren't your "generalizations" just as wrong as others?

#58 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Americans first.........it is time Business people wake up and hire tax paying Americans. So many immigrant workers send all their salry back to their native land. We need the money to stay right here."

Hold on ... there is a substantial amount of inaccuracy in your statement. With all due respect I want to say that I have been around immigrants always, I am an immigrant. The amount of money that immigrants send back to their native country to their families is a very modest amount, and it is far from being "all their salry" ... I think that you tried to write the word salary. Also, immigrants, legal as well as illegal pay taxes ... 99.9% of them, whether legal or illegal have taxes deducted from their payroll. It is very rare, extremely rare to find work that pays with cash and without deducting for taxes. There are BILLIONS of dollars in unclaimed tax money that was deducted from the wages of illegal immigrants that will never be able to claim that money. Also, immigrants are consumers, they purchase goods and services that charge taxes. By far and a much larger percentage, there are more Americans that abuse of ridiculous tax exemptions for their own benefits, than there are immigrants working for cash pay and do not pay taxes for all of the goods that they purchase at the stores, businesses and restaurants that they sponsor with their purchases.

#59 Posted by NajeraGomezdaza on June 7, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya think, Opinionated? Silly catperson!

Get a dog catlady.

#60 Posted by BigDogRanch on June 7, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Najera, good try but I'm not buying what you're selling.

For those of you who might tend to believe what Najera posted, here's a basic layout of the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) scam.

An illegal alien "buys" a Puerto Rican SS# and uses it to acquire a DL and a job. The illegal alien claims 8 dependants, thus the tax deductions from a minimum wage job might only be 400 - 500 per year, if that.

At the end of the year, the illegal alien fills out an income tax return claiming 4-5 children, each one worth 1,500 dollars. The tax REFUND they get can be anywhere from 3500 to over 6000 dollars. The refund is sent to the owner of the identity in Puerto Rico and the money is split with the illegal alien.

Yes, they pay taxes, and they get 10 times what they paid, in REFUNDS.

Good scam, huh? And it's so easy, too. No one is checking a legal Puerto Rican's address or job history to "verify" they are who they say they are.

This is just ONE scam out of hundreds (or thousands) that illegal aliens and their co-conspirators have perfected.

#61 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#58, Okay, I'm not "generalizing" in my post. I'm talking to the few people who posted on this particular blog that implied that all Hispanics = illegal aliens.

And in regards to your statement- "Just because you happen to know a FEW who are legal, you seem to think that others don't have the right to protest those who are not." I never said people couldn't protest illegal aliens. My only point was for people to stop equating Hispanics with illegal alien. The two are not synonymous.

I understand that we, as human beings, are going to make generalizations. The problem is when those generalizations become criminalization of a race, religion, or ethnicity. Not every Hispanic is the same. Neither is every Christian, white American, Muslim, Asian, etc.

#62 Posted by nessz79 on June 7, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nessz79, most rational people agree with you, but in fact, it's always the rotten apples who ruin it for the whole basket.

That's the way it will always be unless a collective diverse group of Americans (white, black, AND latino) put a stop to our lack of immigration enforcement.

Unless it's a collective effort, by all ethnicities it will only serve to divide our country even further.

Legalizing criminals and the administration's tacit approval of our porous borders is not only wrong, it's dangerous for ALL Americans - if latinos are at all concerned about it, I certainly haven't heard much from them on the issue, EXCEPT to demand that the U.S. accomodate them and their illegal family members.

Where is the latino outrage, besides the group YDSFM? Will it take a muslim terrorist attacker smuggled through Mexico to force latinos to see the harm open borders has done to us?

#63 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand what you're saying, for the most part. However, I don't think anyone needs to be against Latinos as a group because there isn't a larger public outcry coming from them about illegal immigration. Latinos shouldn't have to feel that they have to put on a show about illegal aliens to be accepted into mainstream America.

YDSFM, as you mentioned, is an example of what I'm saying. A quote from their website:

****You Don't Speak for Me formed when Col. Al Rodriguez became fed up watching media coverage of the mass protests of April. "Their leaders were saying it was a march for immigrant rights and a Latino/Hispanic movement," says Rodriguez. "I thought to myself, 'Hey, those are illegal aliens, not immigrants!'" Col. Rodriguez began speaking out to others saying, "I'm of Hispanic ancestry and those people are acting like they speak for me. Well, you don't speak for me!"****

Hispanic does not equate illegal alien. Immigration marches should not mean marches for Hispanics.

I agree that it's a common misconception and I understand where it comes from.

Are there going to be those who stereotype and generalize? Of course.

Does it make it right? No.

#64 Posted by nessz79 on June 7, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Generalizations and stereotypes are promoted by ethno-centric groups like La Raza, as they blur the line between legal latino immigrants and illegal latino immigrants.

The state run media plays along. You can't blame the public for believing the generalizations promoted by La Raza, after all the sword of propaganda cuts both ways.

If La Raza and the like refuses to make the distinction between illegals and legals, why should the public do so either? We're SUPPOSED to lump them all together, according to La Raza.

Just WHO DOES speak for the latino community? Apparently, it IS La Raza.

#65 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Look on the corner of Airport + Connecticut, when things were good we had 75 illegals every morning on the corner, and they ALL got picked up.

Now that everyone is bad there are mornings where there isn't anyone.

#66 Posted by dont_aids_me_bro on June 7, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, hey, Dog, there's nothing wrong with cats.
I love dogs (and DOG)just as much but am not home enough to properly care for one.
As far as my cats, when I wake up in the morning, at least I know I did not sleep with the "wrong cat".
Have a good week! ;)

#67 Posted by sapphire_odonata on June 7, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

indi, I was just bustin' catpersons chops. I love pussycats. And I promise, this Dog bites just rite.
:)~

Back at ya deepblue. Enjoy your week!

#68 Posted by BigDogRanch on June 7, 2009 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

# 65 *Sigh* La Raza also does not speak for all HIspanics, just as the president does not speak for all Americans, for example. People need to think for themselves, not simply accept propaganda as the gospel truth.

I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree here, Okay. I hope and believe that the majority of people do not feel that one size fits all.

#69 Posted by nessz79 on June 7, 2009 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As always okay making things up and spreading lies and misinformation,first nobody in its right mind is going to allow other people to use their SS,nobody can get DL only with a SS card,second to get child tax credit you need to provide SS for the dependents and the last you get 800 per dependent not 1500 like you try people to think.
Good try at misinforming people.

#70 Posted by jagv0565 on June 7, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

okay don't think for himself,Rush does it for him and other like him,he even use rush words "State run media"dems we think for ourself,we are not sheeps.

#71 Posted by jagv0565 on June 7, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uh.....I AM a Democrat, braniac.

Spreading your OWN kind of "misinformation" as usual.

Speaking of "generalizations".....we're not all Republicans......in fact there's an entire demographic of Democrats opposed to illegal aliens, lol.

#72 Posted by okay on June 7, 2009 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!

#73 Posted by napleshillbilly on June 7, 2009 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey grouper - let me share this with you:
patricia blackmon
debra jean milke
susan eubanks
caroline young
michelle sue tharp
any ring a bell? how about:
andrea yates
casey anthony
all white american women that killed their own children and/or grandchildren.

so please spare me the melodramatics and fear-mongering of some horrific crime because you know what, there are plenty of white americans that are murderers and rapists and pedophiles.

#74 Posted by belern on June 7, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The fence is working!!! ICE is doing better. YOU cheap businessmen need to quit hiring illegals. Legistators need to tighten immigration requirements and increase trade tariffs. Competition is about getting a winning edge not a level playing field....that's for sissys. Business is destroying the middle class that it needs to maintain itself. Prosperity is a cycle of success. Your employees are worth a middle class income or your business should fail. Henry Ford knew he would fail if his workers could not afford his cars.

#75 Posted by thunderlightening on June 7, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I THINK THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE ARTICLE.......“A lot of Americans have the expectation that they will find a good job, and if it’s not the job to our pleasing we are more confident to keep looking. I think with this economy the way it is, everybody is a lot more motivated,” Ellison said.
TRANSLATION: The bad economic situation has motivated many americans to get up from their couches and go look for job. ABOUT TIME!!! Good for you.

#76 Posted by ricky369 on June 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)



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