stephanie
03-11-2007, 11:09 PM
We're so screwed..
People who are arrested don't have to answer police questions, lawyer tells packed church.
By Jessie Brunner and Alicia Robinson
Reader Feedback - Currently 25 Comments
COSTA MESA — If you are arrested, don't answer questions, don't show any documents, and don't sign anything, especially not a voluntary deportation order, immigration attorney Gloria Curiel told an overflow crowd at a church Friday night.
Two protesters outside held an American flag and a sign that read, "stop the illegal invasion," but inside Harbor Christian Fellowship Church, the audience was hungry for information on immigrants' rights, whether in the U.S. legally or not.
More than 200 people packed the church for a forum, at which they were urged to work for immigration reform by writing to their elected representatives and also to protect themselves by keeping silent if confronted by authorities. The event was organized by three local councils of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Immigrants' concerns have grown as federal authorities have boosted enforcement, with a week-long illegal immigrant round-up in Southern California in late January and a February operation that targeted several Orange County restaurants.
Curiel advised that if the government can't prove someone's undocumented, the person can't be deported. She told them that under the 5th Amendment, they don't have to incriminate themselves.
Some at the meeting said they feel the tension the controversy over immigration has caused in Costa Mesa, where a federal immigration agent began working in the jail in December.
"I came to learn more about what to do if an immigration officer knocks at the door, for example," Costa Mesa resident Mirian Guerrero said in Spanish.
Others already have been touched personally by stepped-up enforcement, such as Carmen Foster, who lives in Costa Mesa. She said she's a legal U.S. resident trying to become a citizen, but her brother isn't.
In February, he was pulled over in his car by police, who arrested him, she said.
"Once they put him in the car, they told him he looked like an immigrant and that's why he was taken in," Foster said.
Curiel gave the names of other immigration attorneys, and she had the audience repeat the words, "comprehensive immigration reform."
Orange Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto urged participation in a fast from March 26 to 30 to show solidarity with immigrants, and he also talked about writing to Congress.
William Villafaña, who protested with his wife, also had a message for Congress. "All we're asking for is our government and the people of our country to enforce our laws," he said.
Congress may be hearing from many more people. Curiel said the best way to achieve reform is by working together. "There is hope for comprehensive immigration reform," Curiel said in Spanish, "but it is only possible if you all participate."
http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2007/03/11/politics/dpt-forum10.txt
People who are arrested don't have to answer police questions, lawyer tells packed church.
By Jessie Brunner and Alicia Robinson
Reader Feedback - Currently 25 Comments
COSTA MESA — If you are arrested, don't answer questions, don't show any documents, and don't sign anything, especially not a voluntary deportation order, immigration attorney Gloria Curiel told an overflow crowd at a church Friday night.
Two protesters outside held an American flag and a sign that read, "stop the illegal invasion," but inside Harbor Christian Fellowship Church, the audience was hungry for information on immigrants' rights, whether in the U.S. legally or not.
More than 200 people packed the church for a forum, at which they were urged to work for immigration reform by writing to their elected representatives and also to protect themselves by keeping silent if confronted by authorities. The event was organized by three local councils of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Immigrants' concerns have grown as federal authorities have boosted enforcement, with a week-long illegal immigrant round-up in Southern California in late January and a February operation that targeted several Orange County restaurants.
Curiel advised that if the government can't prove someone's undocumented, the person can't be deported. She told them that under the 5th Amendment, they don't have to incriminate themselves.
Some at the meeting said they feel the tension the controversy over immigration has caused in Costa Mesa, where a federal immigration agent began working in the jail in December.
"I came to learn more about what to do if an immigration officer knocks at the door, for example," Costa Mesa resident Mirian Guerrero said in Spanish.
Others already have been touched personally by stepped-up enforcement, such as Carmen Foster, who lives in Costa Mesa. She said she's a legal U.S. resident trying to become a citizen, but her brother isn't.
In February, he was pulled over in his car by police, who arrested him, she said.
"Once they put him in the car, they told him he looked like an immigrant and that's why he was taken in," Foster said.
Curiel gave the names of other immigration attorneys, and she had the audience repeat the words, "comprehensive immigration reform."
Orange Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto urged participation in a fast from March 26 to 30 to show solidarity with immigrants, and he also talked about writing to Congress.
William Villafaña, who protested with his wife, also had a message for Congress. "All we're asking for is our government and the people of our country to enforce our laws," he said.
Congress may be hearing from many more people. Curiel said the best way to achieve reform is by working together. "There is hope for comprehensive immigration reform," Curiel said in Spanish, "but it is only possible if you all participate."
http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2007/03/11/politics/dpt-forum10.txt