Col. Al Rodriguez (Ret) on C-Span2 live 10:06 on Immigration

[Coexist]

He is an immigrant - said he raised 6 sons here.


"massive amnesty for millions of illegal aliens is surrender."

Where is the press conference? Anyone know?

(edited to correct - it is C-Span2)

[Coexist]

1. this hearing is really good -

You all know I feel that immigrants should seek to come here legally, so it supports my position, but the speakers are good.

[YOY]

2. I've spoken to many immigrants who feel as Col Rodriguez does

A few have been downright pissed.

[Coexist]

3. Me too. I know a lot of legal immigrants and they waited

YEARS for the chance to come here legally.

Funny story (maybe not) - one cook I worked with in a restaurant (we called him Joe) was Iraqi (this was waaaaay back in '88) and he used to tell me how terrible Saddam Hussein was. And he told me the most interesting stories of an underground city that was full of antiquities that people looted every once in awhile to sell for quick cash.

I always wondered if that were true. My minor in college was archaeology - so he may have just been yanking my chain. But I always wondered - especially during the first Iraq war. It would make a good escape route.

Anyhow, back to Immigration, he had his Masters in Biochemistry - but worked as a cook in a 24-hour diner until he could get certified (or something similar) here. His family saved up a lot of money and waited years and years for him to get a visa. The plan was to then put the rest of the family on the waiting list under some family plan. The entire family put all their trust and their future onto the member they felt was the "best bet" for success in America, knowing it would take years more for them to join him (IF they were accepted).

Gee - maybe they should have just gotten tourist visas to Mexico and hopped the fence.

[YOY]

4. I teach Korean Immigrants English as a Second Language

and am married to a Bulgarian woman.

The Koreans (and these are not Rev. Moon's folks...that crowd get ESL at their churches) started asking me how to say things in Spanish. I know a bit of Spanish, but not enough to be considered capable in the language. I asked why and they told me that a good number of latin folks who are here illegally and that they work with do not know and do not want to know English. THIS IS JUST WHAT THEY SAID AND NOT MY OPINION before anyone jumps down my throat!

One guy, an electrician by trade, was furious. He saved and jumped through every hoop and works like hell just to get and keep his visa. He claimed that he does everything legally and he feels as though these 'villagers' were getting more breaks than he gets (or wants to get.) His roommates are illegal and some have been in the country for several years and still do not know English anywhere near his level (which is roughly intermediate...very good for one year here.)

My wife is an immigrant as well and is disturbed by how some people make the immigration process look extremely complicated. It is not as difficult as some make it out to be. She has a bee in her bonnet about the spin being about immigration when it is really about illegal immigration and the employers who get away with hiring at ridiculous wages and no benefits. She knows other Eastern European immigrants who feel the same.

There are a good number of DUers that disagree with them, but hell I'm just repeating what they said.