A Facebook Favor

Published June 30, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT

I have a favor to ask. If you get a moment, please stop by our Immigrant Rights Facebook page and become a fan.

Otherwise, treat this as an open thread for (positive/productive) suggestions on how to improve this blog or the wider site.

Thanks!

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A lot of immigrants come to the U.S. seeking freedom. The ones from Mexico aren't trying to get in because they hate the U.S. They hate the way they've been treated by their own country. When they arrive, they usually fill positions in the farm-labor industry: picking fruit, packing fruit, raking brush, and so on.......

Undocumented or documented, they usually gain employment through labor contractors.( Farmers can't afford Workman's comp. background checks, and all the other bureaucratic b/s that goes along with hiring part time employees.) Farmers use labor contractor's crews, to fill these positions. Labor contractors find jobs for their crews, and this is how things get done.

The problem...... Labor contractors charge their crew for: rides to work, the use of ladders, gloves, shovels, and other tools, used in day to day farming tasks. If the immigrant is undocumented; there is usually a, "hush-money," fee as well.

( FYI. Labor contractors, are usually of the same race, as the people they exploit. So, no race blaming. Also, if you get caught hiring undocumented workers, you receive a fine.)

Now, you never actually see labor contractors. They usually hire a foreman to do their dirty work. I've only seen 1, my whole life. Although, I've seen their houses, more like mansions. Raising fines on labor contractors, that hire illegals, has already proved pointless. The fine they pay, are nothing compared to the money they make exploiting immigrants.

Instead, (I think,) we should out law labor contractors. Immigrants should be able to police themselves, so to speak. I'm not suggesting a union, but more a coalition. Instead of being charged $5/ day, for the use of a picking- ladder, put it toward health insurance--something like Workman's comp. but not in forced by the government. This way, farmers will be able to hire them independently, without the middle-man, or fears of law-suits. This would also give them the freedom to pick who they work for. (To those who are saying,"What about taxes?" While they are in the U.S. they do pay taxes; clothing, fuel, day to day living cost. So, as long as it's not costing citizens to have them here, what does it matter? For those of you saying,"What about Americans needing jobs? Farm labor jobs have always been open to U.S. citizens, go find a labor contractor and apply.

Another thing, stop putting time limits on work visa's. As long as they are gainfully employed, let them work.

Mr. Bennion, I know that these issues are just small pieces of a much larger puzzle. (They are the some of the issues that come to mind, when Americans think about immigration.) So, if we can put them together without giving too much to one side, and taking too much from another; you'll gain much more support from the opposition, and be able to implement your goals for immigration.

Posted by L.S. hope on 06/30/2009 @ 01:46PM PT
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Okay, I just signed up for facebook just for you. I hope it's okay that I use a pseudonym, though (I am being very careful about my privacy). I think you are doing a fabulous job with this site. I would just like to see more pro immigrant voices on this site, so I would be thrilled if those of you who are "in the shadows," so to speak, would post comments and let us know your thoughts. You views definitely count here! (use a pseudonym if you have to). Thank you for your thoughtful blogs and all the good work that you do, Dave. :-)

Posted by a d on 06/30/2009 @ 05:39PM PT
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* your views (typo)

Posted by a d on 06/30/2009 @ 05:39PM PT
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I'm glad that you signed up to facebook. I understand how you feel about your privacy. My name has been linked into one of those nasty websites and I called my friend who is in law enforcement to ask her what to do. I am being harrassed by a retrictionist for my freedom of speech through bully fear tactics.

Posted by Mary Pranzatelli on 06/30/2009 @ 08:28PM PT
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Mary, I just read your email, and I am so sorry to hear about this harassment. I was very frightened when I saw some of the search words that were coupled with my name on my wordpress blog...I told you about that. Whoever is doing this is despicable and cowardly. It's a good idea to report every single instance of harassment and keep a record just as a precautionary measure. You may be able to get your name removed from that site if you lodge a complaint with the owner of the site. You may want to consult a lawyer, too. For anyone who is experiencing harassment on this blog, here's where to report it:

help@change.org

Posted by a d on 07/01/2009 @ 06:47PM PT
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Mary has not been harassed by anybody, the link she is referring to is a porn hacked web site. She could have done a little research before SLANDERING me with false and assumed accusations. Her ignorance needs to be brought under control by the blog moderator and blog owner. I demand a PUBLIC APOLOGY from MARY!!

Posted by Liquids Reign on 07/01/2009 @ 08:19PM PT
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Actually Liquid, I never said what you did...I just said that you used my name. If you hacked my name and used it on your own website how am I going to know how far you will take it.

Actually, I think you owe me an Apology for all your horrible comments that you have give me. Sued for slander! You are crazy. That's a SPIN!

Do me a big favor and stop using my name and that includes "posting anything I say anywhere."

That includes your website.

Posted by Mary Pranzatelli on 07/01/2009 @ 08:50PM PT
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You have to understand that when a girl sees something like that the panick button goes off. I am sure if you are a gentleman you understand that.

Posted by Mary Pranzatelli on 07/01/2009 @ 08:57PM PT
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But I would like you not to use my name because I do not want it all over the place and now I am going to consider changing it up.

Posted by Mary Pranzatelli on 07/01/2009 @ 08:58PM PT
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Furthmore If you did not do anything wrong I do APOLOGIZE for that and that is because I would not want to blame you for something that anyone could have done.

I really can not tell you what that person posted because I can't get access to that website because I have no ideal who the owner of that account is. It looks like someone made a comment using my name and that is all I can see. I can not see what the comment is. Its really weird though and I wouldn't have known but the other night we were googling our names and I saw it.

Posted by Mary Pranzatelli on 07/01/2009 @ 08:55PM PT
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It was a porn hacked web site, I showed that, except Dave deleted my comments as usaul. I left it in your comments on your profile page. As for my web site, if you read my heading, it states exactly what it is I do:

Pointing out all the things wrong with the PRO CIR arguments from the view point of an American Citizen against Illegal Immigration.

What it does not do is slander you, it only crticizes your comments and half truths that you deem as facts. I have only criticized you one time there.

As for your apology, it is accepted, I only trust in the future that you do not make false assumptions and accusations towards others publicly unless you have some sort of documented proof through researching it and verifying it.

Posted by Liquids Reign on 07/01/2009 @ 09:08PM PT
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Again I ask, who isn't pro-immigrant? The silence is deafening.

Posted by Mark Lindley on 07/11/2009 @ 04:42PM PT
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Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

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David is an attorney in Philadelphia, PA, where he helps immigrants to the U.S. navigate the complex immigration legal system. Views he expresses at change.org are his alone and don't represent the views or opinions of his employer, Nationalities Service Center. The information contained on this site is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only.