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Re: Undocumented workers struggle with lack of benefits, terrorism backlash
Las Vegas Review-Journal - 12/3/01

12/4/01

In regards to this article, I would like to know what gives the Hotel Employees and Restaurants Employees union (HERE) the right to flaunt violations of Federal law in the face of hard working Americans.

"Carmen Mejia has been assured by HERE organizers who have helped her pay her $800 monthly rent that she won't be deported because of her illegal status.

'If someone tries, it'll be so politically incorrect they're going to get screwed,' said Juan Galan, a HERE organizer from New York City."

While sympathetic to the fact that this family lost their husband/father in the greatest tragedy to ever happen to this great nation, I also feel that HERE has no right to blatantly ignore the law. Just by paying this families rent, HERE is in violation of Federal Law.

8 C.F.R. Section 1324 Bringing in and harboring certain aliens [INA Sec. 274]

(a) Criminal Penalties

(1)(A) Any person who-

(iii) knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation;

shall be punished as provided in subparagraph (B).

(B) A person who violates subparagraph (A) shall, for each alien in respect to whom such violation occurs-

(ii) in the case of a violation of subparagraph (A)(ii), (iii), (iv), or (v)(II), be fined under Title 18, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

I understand the INS has bigger things to worry about that one Ecuadorian family, but it's this kind of blatant disregard for the laws of the United States that has led us to the situation we are in today.

Also, Juan Galan is quoted as saying, "They're helping the (survivors of) firefighters and police who lost their lives," Galan said, interpreting the woman's comments, "but she wonders why not her?"

I can't help but wonder how this woman, a person that illegally entered the US, and is still living here today illegally, could even think to compare herself to brave Police Officers and Firefighters that gave their lives defending this nation and upholding the very laws that she disregarded when she entered this country.

B.J. - Texas