A Day Without Immigrants
12.17.07 (11:36 pm) [edit]Hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers across the country skip work today... flexing their muscles in a boycott that shut down countless farms, factories, and restaurants down. It's called the "Day without Immigrants". Rallies are gathering across the country to show Congress how without their work, the U.S. economy would be crippled.
News 12's Emily Carlson brings us the debate in our area.
Jessica and Tony Carro are glued to their television screen, sitting silently at home in protest of congress' attempts to tough immigration Laws. "I had a hole in my eardrum and they told her in Mexico they needed to get it fixed and they couldn't get it fixed in Mexico." Tony came to the United States when he was just a baby. His pregnant mother broke the law when she crossed the border with her sick son. "She brought us all over here illegally trying to get me fixed so I could live a better life." Legal now, it angers Tony and sister Jessica to hear people like their mother, who moved to this county in order to work, being called criminals. "Not one of us in our family has ever stepped inside a jail and to be called a criminal it's not right." Today Jessica and Tony refuse to work, go to school, or support the American economy. While many are at home supporting immigrants, workers here at Bonito Guadalajara restuaraunt are at work just like it's any other day. They say that in a community as small as Mankato, staying at home just one day isn't enough to make a difference. "As a minority in a small town they won't listen really." Guadalupe says none of the immigranats who make up her staff asked for the day off. She says today she's doing what she came to this county to do. "We have to work that's why we came here." So while Guadalupe is happy serving her customers, satisfied with the way our county treats her "I agree with the government that's fine with whatever they decide to do" others demand the government change their attitude. "It's the policy makers this is an election year they're making a big deal when it could affect all of America."
In Mankato, Emily Carlson, News 12.