Latino evacuees report discrimination

Some Latino evacuees reported unfair treatment, including unequal distribution of supplies, at Qualcomm this week after two families were turned in to immigration authorities. Three families were accused of stealing supplies from the evacuation site; two could not produce identification and were turned over to border patrol. About 25 families who are in the country illegally left Qualcomm shortly after the incident. The families suspected of stealing said they only took what they had already been given, including children's toys and Gatorade.

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Fire fuels illegal crossings

The Harris fire burning near Tecate and Campo has not stopped some Mexican nationals from crossing into the United States illegally. The U.S. Border Patrol said six illegal immigrants were rescued by firefighters Monday and were hospitalized with burn injuries. U.S. officials have asked the Mexican government to warn its citizens of the dangers of crossing into the fire zone. More than 200 people have been arrested for crossing the border illegally since the fire began on Sunday.

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DREAMs won't come true in Senate

Senate scrapped legislation last week that would have granted amnesty to 360,000 high school graduates who came to the United States illegally. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, would have given these youth conditional citizenship if they attended two years of college or served two years in the military. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., withdrew the proposal after it faced increased opposition from senators on the left and right. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he plans to push the bill through Senate by December.

DREAM Act
Union Tribune editorial

New law provides shelter from landlord queries

Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill this morning that makes it illegal for local governments in California to require that landlords check the immigration status of potential renters. This law counteracts an ordinance the Escondido city council tentatively approved last year, which would have made it illegal for landlords to rent to illegal immigrants. The new law will go into effect Jan. 1.

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Filner speaks at Blackwater rally

"I think [Blackwater USA] thought they were putting this thing in Duncan Hunter's district. Blackwater, you're gonna have to deal with my army." Congressman Bob Filner spoke to an army of protesters in lime-green "Stop Blackwater" T-shirts about plans to put a training facility in the 51st district.

Congressman Bob Filner spoke at a rally of nearly 150 people protesting plans to build a Blackwater USA training facility in Potrero Sunday afternoon.

"Blackwater is a black mark on American democracy," Filner said.

Filner called private Blackwater security forces mercenaries and accused the company of war profiteering. Residents said they are concerned with increased traffic, noise, and the environmental impact of the proposed site.

Residents also said the local planning committee approved the project without consent from the public. Residents will vote in a recall election on Dec. 11. If committee members are removed from office, the new committee will readdress the issue and might advise the county board of supervisors not to approve the project. The board of supervisors has final authority on the matter.

A smaller group presented their opposition at the rally. Luyisa Wildey, who lives within a mile of the site, said Potrero residents were invited to initial planning meetings, and that Blackwater and the county have addressed the concerns of residents in their plans. She also said Blackwater will provide needed jobs and give back to the community.

Iraq calls for removal of Blackwater

Photo courtesy of The Union Tribune

U.S. needs immigrant labor force, Calderón

President Felipe Calderón said the United States and Mexico should "build bridges and not fences" on "Good Morning America" this morning. He told Diane Sawyer the U.S. government's plan to build a 700-mile fence, which would cost billions of dollars, would cripple the U.S. economy by creating a labor shortage.

Calderón mentioned farmers in Washington, whose apples have not been harvested because there aren't enough laborers. New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg and the Wisconsin secretary of agriculture both said industries in their regions would "collapse" without Mexican immigrants.

According to "Good Morning America," the White House is rewriting legislation that placed limits on employers who hire immigrants in order to save the season's harvest.

Though Calderón criticized U.S. immigration policy, he told Sawyer he appreciated Bush's failed efforts to reform the immigration policy last year. He also said he expects the Mexican economy to improve within a decade, greatly decreasing the number of people crossing the border for jobs.

"Speaking With Mexico's President" video
"Mexicans in America" video
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Photo courtesy of ABC

Fed pushes for quantity over quality

A leader of Local 1613 of the National Border Patrol Council said he is looking into rumors that the border patrol academy is pushing new agents through its program and making it nearly impossible to fail. These accusations come when the federal government is pushing for 6,000 new hires under Operation Jump Start.

The San Diego border patrol union said several new agents aren't adequately prepared, citing recent incidents in which new agents weren't familiar with the proper amount of force to use when apprehending suspects in the field. The source would not specify injuries or poor conduct.

Changes in the academy's program include increasing the age limit for agents from 37 to 40 and shortening training from 91 days to 81. Officials at the academy also said recruits are having trouble with the Spanish courses, as many are now from out of the border region.

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Filner's court date postponed

Congressman Bob Filner is now scheduled to appear in court for misdemeanor assault and battery charges on Dec. 4.

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