Immigration is a strange thing isn't it? My brother and his wife adopted my nephew through Holt in Ensenda Mexico( over 35 years ago) and my nephew is a naturalized citizen.
He deals with people insulting him and telling him to go "back" and asking about papers all the time.
He works in Las Vegas and customers say right in front of him they don't know why the Mexicans have all the jobs and why doesn't a American have his job.
I dislike that anyone who is hispanic is automatically assumed to be illegal. I often wonder what he would do if arrested like this young man. I have heard of one case where they have deported a American citizen and it was a real mess getting back here. Scares me a lot!
There's gotta be a better way...K

Truly I don't know how I feel and think about the immigration issue. I know I hate it, hate it so bad when anyone is mistreated. I detest discrimination!!!!!!! Oh, I wish I could single-handedly wipe that out! Abhor bullying! But, on the other end I understand laws. I believe people should obey laws and have respect for our laws, and punishment should be melted out for people who break the law. I truly am confused. I sound kinda wierd, I know. I feel so bad for your friend. This all makes me very sad. I know he is very special to you. I wish they had treated him kinder.

I HOPE! This will be received in the manor I am meaning this true story.

My SIL owns a big roofing and siding business and hires all sorts of ethnic, valued employees.
They got a contract to reside and re roof a mans house and he was so nasty and obnoxious. He called and said he didn't want any Mexican workers to do his house, so John put together a crew of African-Americans and one Oriental guy and sent them to do the job. John said he thought the nasty guys eyes would pop out of his head when he saw the crew drive up in the company trucks. Dottie

I don't quite understand why these boys were arrested in the first place? For not carrying a driver's license? Seems a bit extreme.

I hope the boys were not mistreated.
That said, I would need more information before drawing any conclusions. Both boys were arrested. Why?
The white boy was released. Why? Did he make bail?

Illegal immigration is something that really bothers me.
It's not like the legal process is too hard for someone really wanting to become part of our country to achieve...

Lori

I believe if he is a legal he would have papers to prove it and keep them handy for circumstances like this. His family or boss would have them or copies to show the police, he wouldn't be in jail so long if he was legal. It used to take years to get citizenship and one thing you had to do was speak English.

Not fed anything for 2 days? I can't believe he told you the whole truth. If this is true, it is very wrong.

Judy

I think it depends on what state. Some states do treat them different because they are "afraid" of them. My relative is Mexican and is biligual and in law enforcement but then in CA and most western states they are treated different. If they feel they are treated/mistreated they need to get legal council and believe me there is plenty around for them.
You mentioned being around a base, and maybe it was a government issue as some of our military in some areas and some brances of the service seem to take this homeland security stuff to the hightest level. Enough said. If they are here legally, they should carry either their green card or a DL with them like all other people do, but many do not--don't know the reason but they just don't

What amazes me is that so many people in the border stares...look down their noses at the Mexican people, up to the point of mistreating them as you say. Most of them are good, decent hardworking people but to hear people talk, you'd think they were all a bunch of low lifes...Nothing irritates me more. I love the Mexican people but I know many many at a personal level and I have never known better more loving people....I like to remind many of my fellow Texans just who was here first....We have a video that people watch at the Alamo and a young Mexican girl is asking her Mother...Where are they now...Meaning the people who lived in the area and the Alamo and her Mother says.....

Look in the mirror my Daughter, we are all still here.

Sometimes we have to remember that not only about the American Indians but of the Mexicans as well.

Ruthieg, I have many mexican friends and work with them too. In fact my hubby and I are going to be Godparents to our friend's baby when he is born next month, which we are both very proud to be. A lot of people don't stop to think that most people who live in this country had ancestors that came here from another country.

we do have a tendency to forget that many western states were once "owned" by spain and that "mexican" people are actually decendants of the spanish and native indians whom they captured or enslaved...

if you've ever had a title seach on some properties in ca you'd find many were original land grants from spain...and more people spoke spanish at the time than english...

gee...think what goes around comes around??

I grew up in Texas and have NO problems with Mexican-heritage people. I've been around them forever and honestly miss it. I live in a state now which is very prejudiced against ANYONE of any other ethnicity or from any other STATE which is crazy. Believe me, if it weren't for my DH's job moving us here (he is in a tough field and too old to start over), we would leave in a NY minute! I do, however, get annoyed that I cannot LEGALLY bring my SIL with a PhD here to the USA from India, but I have mentioned to my DH that we should fly her to Mexico and meet her at the border in TX! (we won't, of course, but it hardly seems fair that we can't get her here legally.) People think that it is easy to come to the US, but each country has a quota that is allowed and there is more to it than just hopping on a plane. sigh....

So I guess my point about my nephew being, he's hispanic and a citizen. So why should he more than you or I be expected to carry documentation merely due to his race. That's what this issue comes down to..

Here is my prejudice story-When my mother in law was alive, my daughter was in college and started dating a hispanic that was also in college with her. My husbands' family was all against it and their was a big hubaloo, and I mean a BIG hubaloo about it. Everyone of her aunts wrote, even went to see her (tried to talk to us) and told her (and us) she was breaking up the family. (It's because my husband married a free spirit ya know, me. People like me tend to produce rebellious kids, ya know.Too much free thinking ya know. LOL) My husband and I told her we had no problem with it but his mother gave us grief and so did his sisters. Especially the "dominate one." (oldest) We were told that she was not welcome at the family reunions if she brought her boyfriend.(or family holidays) The reason I mention the reunion is because her oldest aunt made it a point to write her and tell her not to bother to try and bring her boyfriend to the family reunion, only she could come, so we stayed away too. Fast forward 4 years, they got married. No one on my husbands side attended their wedding, except a few of her cousins that went against their mom and dad's blessings. Fast forward 3 more years, and her husband is out of UGA and is back home with a pharmaceutical degree working as a pharmacist. He sees his "in law aunts and uncles" when some of them come in and pick up a prescription.LOL. He is so nice and kind and loving. If they would only get to really know him. My daughter is sooooooo bitter. I don't ever think she will forgive them. He seems understanding and I believe him to be a good man. I love him as my own. I have to admit he is a better person than what's in our family. What a shame. Oh, his family has gotten some what friendlier since his mother died. I don't know what she had to do with it, or why they seem to have come around.

Well, I gave up some family secrets. Hope they don't read the GW. LOL.

Using "security" as an excuse to detain someone for a very shaky reason, not feed him and take $200 out of his wallet without justification is totally wrong and should not be tolerated, IMO.
Abuse of power leads to distrust of those in charge.

rthummer, what a story; I can understand your daughter with not wanting to have anything to do with them. What counts is her marriage and her relationship with you.

My Family is very Olive Skinned as we are part Choctaw Indian. I never thought about it before, but I wasn't part of the "In" crowd in school. Now, looking back it might be because some kids weren't allowed to play with me.

I was at a recent Habitat for Humanity meeting and a Mexican Girl that graduated a couple of years behind me came over to chat. She said she was jealous of me because people treated me as a "white" and she was treated as a "Mexican".

I think first Generation Mexican Americans have a really tough time proving themselves.

I am Cuban and constantly getting confused for an illegal Mexican. Why? Because I speak Spanish. I am white, not dark-skinned at all. Years ago, we alsmost moved to Austin, TX through my DH's job. We went to visit and check out the area. Came home and said we weren't going. We were treated very poorly if they heard us speak Spanish at all. I have a slight accent still (after being in the U.S. almost 47 yrs.). Most people hear it but don't quite know where I'm from. When I say I speak Spanish, that's it. I'm labeled a lazy, illegal Mexican until I tell them, "No, I'm Cuban." I know many illegals who are just trying to make a buck to send back home. I also know of some illegals who have stolen. Personal experience with me hiring a cleaning crew yrs. ago to do my house. The first time in, the 16 yr. old boy stole from my DD's piggy bank. He took all the dollar bills and left the bank open on her bed. He later confessed to this. I hope there are more that are good people than not. As for taking the jobs away from Americans.... that's a lot of b.s. because a lot of these jobs are jobs Americans don't want to take. There are also a lot of lazy Americans waiting to complain that their jobs are taken by illegals when the ugly truth is, they don't really want to do the backbreaking jobs. I also believe illegals need to have their legal status asap. And have their papers always. I can see both sides of the coin. I was at a Radiologist a couple of yrs. back when a Mexican lady was called up to the desk and asked for her insurance cards. She spoke broken English and the office staff spoke poor Spanish so I helped. The lady was not illegal but had no insurance and no money to pay. I couldn't believe her attitude. She kept wanting me to tell the staff that she was now in the U.S. and deserved to be seen for free if she didn't have insurance or money! I couldn't understand her logic. I told her that everyone has to pay for services rendered, whether you have insurance or not, that being in the U.S. did not mean you got free medical services. I was livid with her. Very deserving attitude and I understood why so many Americans would get upset with them. I also understand they are not all like her.

If what he said was true, then it's sad, but then again, HE did refuse to eat too so I'm wondering if he was offered and refused.

But a big point has still been overlooked. Who on earth thinks they can go onto a military base these days WITHOUT ID? Didn't whoever sent him in the first place tell him he needed ID? Was he so new he didn't know he needed ID? Was he ever told he needed to keep ID on him? I can easily see them being held for not having ID. Few who look at the big picture would disagree. I also can understand his fear being held, but this likely would have not happened if he took responsibility to carry a simple ID with him.

Before blaming the ones who likely did at least part of their job maybe we should be asking about the ones who did not do their job, including the kid, his supervisor and employer.

Given that he should have had his ID with him, I feel far more sorry for the American kid who got caught in the middle. The other kid's negligence cost him time in, well, was it jail? Let's just say being detained. That could have been traumatic for him and without a doubt was totally undeserved from what I've seen so far. If the other kid wasn't legal, there's a problem. If he was legal and mistreated, that's too bad, but people have to start taking responsibility! He certainly didn't. His supervisor/employer/co-workers didn't. And it was stupid mistakes too. So I can't get all worked up just yet at blaming the base or anything. Let's lay blame where it belongs. Anyone care to bet on whether he's contacted a civil lawyer? All for a lack of responsibility.

Another thought just came to mind. I have no idea, but perhaps non-citizens aren't allowed on bases? I could understand that. But again, the ones responsible should know this. I think we need more information on this.

I agree with Cynic. Everyone on a naval base must show an ID even the people who are in the Navy. Why would this person be any different? I also find it very hard to believe that the officers took $200 from his wallet, opened the door and told him to run. That seems very far fetched. Seems to me he's making up a good story to get some money.

Taking the $200 isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. That happens a lot more that we would think. If that did happen, it's worse because it happened on an American military base, and American soldiers did that crime. I would report it, but it's probably more like "your word against mine".

I used to work for a landscaping company that hired several Hispanics. The owner of the company was African-American and tried very hard to hire some of the inner-city kids to help out. Many appeared to be lazy, but they actually hadn't been exposed to this type of work. The Hispanics had much better work ethic, except for one that stole everything in sight. They didn't speak English and stayed together. Since they couldn't say anything, they never complained - if they didn't want to do the work, they just didn't show up anymore, until they needed more money. The owner treated the Hispanics better than the other kids, so they wouldn't work as hard as the Hispanics. I complained about that all the time - what's the difference? They were paid more and got the better work. In my area, there is a lot of support for the Hispanic community. Until recently they were allowed to have a "voice" for community and social issues, without question because they have representation in the way of organizations, etc. The African-Americans here cannot have that. The Hispanics can congregate to pick up jobs, when others would be arrested for loitering. That's changing now though because the places where they are loitering are close to some upscale homes. Major news here.

I do know of many Hispanics, even Mexicans that would love to be legal, but it costs so much, especially if you want to bring your family. A former neighbor is African and sponsors people coming here from his country. I couldn't believe the costs that some are having to pay to stay here, and /or bring their family members too. A women here was indicted for illegal activities related to sponsoring Hispanics. She acted as a go-between, and found places for them to live. They would pay her to process paperwork, etc.and obtain legal representations. But, she kept the money!!

I'm for equality for all. But the immigrant situation is truly a pickle. How do you handle something so complex, is beyond me. There are too many variables and human rights considerations. But, wrong is wrong, and poor treatment is wrong. Your co-worker should have some rights. Unfortunately, many people in jails aren't treated properly or legally - even if not yet convicted. I do believe that he should carry his papers at all times - that is the law, for now. Hmmm, that sounded like something that would have gone on in Nazi time or American slavery years. Unfortunately, many don't understand or trust the legal authorities.

Life does sometime get in the way...

Like I can touch "this" post? lol

I have a friend here who is Mexican. He's been here 21 years. He understands and speaks English, but it's hard to understand him. He is a self employed landscaper and the hardest worker I know. It pisses me off at the number of people who stop by his jobs wanting him to work for them but don't want to pay him a decent wage for it. Including my boss! He did some spring clean up work at the office at a very reduced rate, as a favor to me. Now Scott is telling all his friends how cheap he is and wants him to do the yard work at his house for the same rate.
Off my soapbox now...

If it really happened that way, it's not right at all.

I live in the Upper-Midwest and on Friday there was a newspaper article where the police took $3500 from a latino man (from Central America) at a car impound lot. He was there to get his girlfriends car out of the lot when the cops decided (with no information) that he was a drug dealer. The latino man was with a few other men, and he produced a check stub showing they had been paid for a roofing and painting job. He kept his part of the payment ($3500) in cash. But the cops put him in jail for a few days then released him without the money. He has tried to claim the money, because the government cannot seize it unless they prove it was a drug deal. The cops have no surveilance or evidence, just a man with an accent and a large amount of cash. Several months have passed and by the time this hit the newspaper on Friday the money had been "lost". Oh, by the way, these particular cops went to Hawaii for a week on a gang task force mission, funded by forefitted drug money. One mans word against the other and guess who loses, even with a check stub from an honest job?

It is unfair that he would have to carry documentation, but the fact is sh** happens and for people who look Mexican it happens a lot. So if you are of Mexican decent and are an American citizen fair or not, you need to carry your documents to protect yourself.

I'll get to what -really- happened in a minute. LOL

I don't think it's unfair that he would be expected to carry documentation, stargazzer.. the problem was that he had no documentation to show. I believe the whole problem came about because when he left here on the truck, he did not know they would be going to the base. Generally, all riders are left at the nearby Walmart or dropped off before approaching the gate because the drivers names are already approved when they arrive. My guess is that the kid did not know they were going to the base and then did not speak up when they were approaching. Perhaps he thought it was "ok" since the driver did not drop him off. And, he may never have been there before and didn't know the drill. Besides it being his own fault, I also fault our boss for not staying on top of that sort of thing.

Also, I would like to clarify.... it was not the base police that was the problem... it was local authorities they were turned over to. It was the local jail where he was kept in a holding tank, afraid to eat, and had his money stolen. He probably thinks the $200 was worth his freedom but it still bothers me that that sort of thing goes on.

cynic - I'm pretty sure he won't be contacting a civil attorney. LOL

Now for what the story is concerning ID.....

When asked at the gate for ID, he claimed to not have any. After things started turning bad, he pulled out ID but said he wasn't his. And it wasn't. It belonged to his cousin. From the picture, you really can't tell the diff in him and his cousin but apparently the kid was afraid if he lied then he would be in even deeper trouble. So, that's when he and the truckdriver were turned over to local police.

The rest of us employees are not exactly positive, but we believe that his work visa had expired and he just didn't bother to return to Mexico? We are just guessing.

There's a rumor going around that our boss has lost his contract with the bases. Not sure if its true or not.

lori - the truckdriver was released because he had his drivers license and his name was at the gate in order for him to deliver the load. The problem came for him by trying to take an illegal on base. After it was all squared away, he was released.

kathy - it's not right how your nephew is treated by some. I just hate prejudice

rthummer - the other side of the family probably would not even recognize themselves even if they were to read this. :)

orie - I was born in Cuba... Quantanamo. Wonder how many Cubans resented the presence of Americans there? I was raised in Panama. I wonder the same about them. :)

Why was he carrying an ID that wasn't his but looked like him?
How many people carry other peoples ID's and pull them out,, for no good reason. There are to many holes in this story.
I'm guessing you heard one side of it.
I'm not questioning this young mans work ethics. Just wondering if he was here illegally and if he thought that was..OK? There are lots of things I might like to do but they would be illegal under the law. Should I do them anyway? I could argue, I'm not bothering anyone.

Instead of illegals coming to the USA, the Mexican government should be making their country a better place.
From the sounds of things Mexico is a sinking boat. And we might be too when the interest comes due.

I would be afraid to do illegal things in another country,,,because I just might go to jail. AND it might not be a sweet place to be. The young man,,not boy,,might have some idea how the Mexican police (if that's what they are) might treat a person, so he was leary of the local police here. I don't think he should be mistreated but it's not a 5 star hotel either. It seems odd no one came to his defense. Are they illegal too? It would be interesting to see the whole picture.