ProAmerica Companies Directory

ProAmerica Companies has set up a free directory and website of businesses in your area that have pledged not to hire illegal immigrants.  The directory was set up for several different reasons, but mainly it reads like most other sites that oppose illegal immigration. 

I did a couple searches, including my current town, my previous one, Carpentersville and Chicago, IL.  The only search to bring back results was Chicago, and only two businesses were listed.  Remember though, the directory is brand new and businesses are currently being sought out and added to the list.

I have a feeling the directory will grow rapidly, as its users can add businesses that they think qualify or wish to see added to the list.  In order for any new businesses to be added to the list they must take the ProAmerica Oath and the ProAmerica Companies Oath.  Individual citizens are encouraged to take an oath and sign up with the site and pledge to support the companies in the directory.

If you want to check it out yourself, check out the website here. 

Human Relations Conference to be Held in Suburban Chicago

The suburbs of Chicago, and several local organizations, are coming together on September 20th to hold the first human relations conference.  Many Chicago suburbs have gone through huge demographic changes over the past ten years. Along with the changes come tension, concern, and worst of all negative perceptions among community leaders and the residents they represent. 

So, why is this conference so important?  Well, if you saw the democratic presidential election that was held in Spanish on Univision this past Sunday you heard the answers to a very important question. 

“What are you going to do to stop the anti-hispanic feelings that are spreading across America?” 

I was so relieved that not a single one of the candidates, selected to answer this question, gave a b.s. answer.  But, even though I liked their responses they didn’t go any further saying yes, there is a problem and yes, we need to fix it.  I can understand why though. 

Honestly, what can the president sitting in the White House do to make people like, or respect, each other.  It has to happen at a local level, that is afterall where the feelings develop.

Most of my family and friends by now know about my Home Depot run in, if you haven’t read it already I posted my rant on Gather.    That is just one of many incidents I have experienced where I live now and in the town where I just moved from, which has had an even bigger influx of Hispanic families.  

Citing incidents across the nation, such as the Jena 6 case, community leaders recognize the need to actively work to keep their communities united.    

If nothing else, there will be open discourse on the topic among community leaders, the local police departments, and those who provide services to the community.  From reading the article though, it seems like they have a lot more goals in mind.  You can read the article here.

Time For the All American Team to Shine?

I came across this post today, from the Carpentersville Action Network, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.  If anyone reads the New York Time magazine, there was an excellent article in it last month titled Our Town.  It did an excellent job of describing what can happen to a town when the personal agenda of a select few take centerstage. 

I don’t think Carpentersville, or it’s surrounding communities for that matter, will ever be the same, but there is some satisfaction in knowing the All American Team didn’t get anywhere.     

Taste of ICE

It’s only a little taste, but a San Francisco reporter got to follow along with ICE agents who track down and arrest illegal felons. 

Here’s the link to the article.

I visited a friend in Waukegan a couple days after the city council approved 287(g), and I have to tell you I didn’t get the vibe out of Waukegan that I get in Carpentersville. Maybe this was because I was visiting/shopping in the area of town where Hispanics are definitely not the minority. 

Either way, I wish ICE had enough manpower so that the need to turn local police officers into immigration agents was not necessary.  I understand why people were out there protesting, the line that they are worried about will undoubtedly be crossed. 

Does that mean 287(g) should go away?  No, I don’t think so.  It is clear ICE can’t keep up with all the cases off illegal felons who are ignoring deportation orders.  If a cop happens to catch one of them, good.

Legal citizens who are felons or ex felons are denied the privilege of certain social services- voting, college grants, etc.  Why should an illegal felon be allowed to remain in this country where they will be enjoying social services supported by taxpayers? 

Immigration and Housing

I found these numbers on Forbes today that show how big of an impact immigration has had on housing and development over the years.  While I am sure some people can use these numbers to highlight some negative aspect of immigration, I can’t help but recognize the positive impact this has. 

You can read the full list of facts here, the first one shows that immigrants account for 90% of new housing development in some areas of the US.  Yes, that is a lot of new blood for a community, but the economic growth and benefits are obviously increasing as well. 

Driving through Carpentersville I can’t help but remember that Carpentersville, like so many of Chicago’s suburbs, was established by immigrants.  For whatever reason, Carpentersville has experienced a steady flow of hispanic immigrants.  In Carpentersville though, the new housing does not seem to be booming because of its new immigrant population.  There is clearly a divide within the town.  The majority of the older, more established parts of the town are occupied by the immigrant population, while the newer developments across town are not. 

Driving down the stretch of 25 you will see store after store that caters to the Hispanic population.  Grocery, clothing, video, books, music, shoes whatever type you can think of, Carpentersville has it.  It is impossible to think that all the new residents and the dollars they spend in their own community are not boosting the local economy.  I understand that when a community changes both good and bad changes take place, but all I have seen come out of the council meetings and reports are the negative aspects of having so many immigrants make their home in Carpentersville. 

I will be looking for public documents that have facts similar to the ones Forbes has released for the town of Carpentersville, just to sate my own curiousity.  If anyone finds some before me, please share.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em

Two towns, and two totally different ways of dealing with the same situation. 

I guess in the case of the town in Connecticut, at least we know who and where the illegal immigrants are residing. 

I provided a link to abcnews in which they interview one of the immigrants that applied for one of the municipal ID cards.  Ironically, his statements support the arguments of those in Hazleton who have passed the anti illegal immigration laws.  Funny.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3410370

Now What?

Appeal?

A little part of me wanted the court to give Hazleton the go ahead with the new ordinances it passed last year.  Even though I don’t think Hazleton or any of the other towns that followed suit were going about things the right way, part of me wants to see something, anything happen.

I have to admit, I didn’t give the issue much thought till it hit home.  Sure, I read about the immigration issues in the paper every morning, had the occasional chat with a friend over it at lunch, and it came up at the dinner table on a weekly basis.  But the day Carpentersville, a neighboring town, announced that they would also be passing laws similar to Hazleton’s I sat up. 

I come from a family of small business owners, generation after generation of business owners tied to the communities they serve.  Holding businesses responsible for the federal governments inability to regulate and control illegal immigration comes off as a three year old throwing a temper tantrum.  It just isn’t sensible.  

If you take the business license away from a small business owner you take away their livelihood.  Shutting down small businesses is not going to help the local economy, only serve to hurt the community in the long run.   

There is so much I have to say on the issue, but right now all I can think about it what do we do now.  People decided to stand up and do something the ties couldn’t.

Now what?

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2622242120070726